America's Top-Ranked Remote Destination For 2026 Is A Coastal Gem In The Pacific Northwest

With crashing waves, wild scenery, quiet beauty, and rugged wilderness, Oregon's Depoe Bay is quickly becoming a sought-after destination. It's naturally beautiful and relaxed without feeling sleepy — exactly the kind of low-key escape travelers are craving in 2026. According to a travel trend report by HomeToGo, online searches for Depoe Bay rose 167% year-over-year. So the secret is getting out, making now the best time to visit.

This chic fishing village shines with a postcard-perfect harbor and front-row access to whales that migrate astonishingly close to shore. With a population of about 1,500 people, you don't have to worry about navigating big crowds or making dinner reservations weeks in advance.

Depoe Bay sits roughly halfway between Lincoln City and Newport along the coast — just 20 minutes from each — or 1.5 hours west of Salem, Oregon. If you're coming from further afield, you can fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), rent a car, and drive about 2.5 hours southwest. This stretch of Highway 101 is one of the most scenic road trip routes in Oregon.

If there's one thing that puts Depoe Bay on the map, it's whale-watching. And there's no better place to do it from than the Whale Watching Center. Located right on the seawall, the center features an interactive museum and helpful Oregon State Park volunteers ready to answer all your questions. About 20,000 gray whales pass through during their migration from Baja to Alaska. So if you visit during the peak season, from December to January, you're all but guaranteed to spot some flukes (whale tails) and spouts while they're feeding just offshore. Admission is free, making it an easy, budget-friendly highlight for any trip to Depoe Bay.

But this coastal gem delivers plenty more than whale sightings. Deep sea fishing trips depart from the charming harbor, and naturally eroded sea caves create dramatic blowholes dotted along the coast. You can explore the volcanic basalt cliffs on the 0.5-mile Fishing Rock Trail, which goes through a forest to a rocky outcrop overlooking a dramatic (and often inaccessible) beach. Just a 10-minute drive south, you can also explore Devil's Punchbowl State Natural Area. If you time your visit with low tide, you can actually access the large collapsed sea cave. Sea temperatures around Depoe Bay rarely reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and Oregon has some notoriously dangerous rip currents, so always take care when exploring the coast.

The town itself is compact and walkable — it's only about a mile long from one end to the other. But Depoe Bay packs a lot of charm into its small land area with art galleries, souvenir shops, and seafood spots perfect for a slow afternoon by the sea. 

Depoe Bay is refreshingly affordable for a coastal destination. According to HomeToGo's report, the average nightly accommodation price is just over $90, making it a strong option for budget-conscious travelers. Lodging ranges from cozy rooms in local homes and one-bedroom apartments to oceanfront vacation rentals and motels.

Gracie's Sea Hag is famous for its clam chowder. It's so good that it's even been featured in the New York Times Heritage Cookbook. Served in a warm bread bowl, it's the perfect comfort after a long day of exploring.

Layers and a solid rain jacket are essential no matter what time of year you visit Depoe Bay, as Oregon's weather can be moody and unpredictable. Pack a windbreaker, thick socks, a beanie, and a camera for whale-watching excursions. And if you have them handy, bring your binoculars. But if you forget them at home, the Whale Watching Center has some you can borrow. Keen to soak up more of the Beaver State's magic? Visit Brian Booth State Park for another peaceful coastal escape without the crowds.