Your first stop on your journey is Corvallis. It is a great mix of history with all you would want or need from a modern city as well. Corvallis may be most famous as the home of Oregon State University, but there's much more here to explore.
Corvallis, Oregon has plenty to offer, from great restaurants to plenty of things to do and see. Stay the night here, and get your start on Highway 34 first thing in the morning, so you can spend your day enjoying the drive and exploring. If you need a little help planning your trip, or finding things to do in town for the evening, give us a call at 800-334-8118. We'll be happy to help you out!
Must Sees in Corvallis
Downtown Corvallis - Corvallis' vibrant, highly-walkable downtown offers locally-owned boutique stores, art galleries, and great restaurants. Find our murals on a scavenger hunt, or tour some of our public art. Visit breweries and a wine tasting room, take a stroll along the Willamette River, and enjoy some of the historic charm of downtown Corvallis.
Corvallis Museum - Stop in to Corvallis' new museum, located right on 2nd Street in downtown Corvallis, and browse four galleries of art and history. Be sure to say "Hello!" to museum mascot Bruce the Moose on your way in!
Oregon State University - OSU's campus is just west of downtown Corvallis, and offers art galleries, a chance to stroll the beautiful grounds of the college, historic buildings to see, and more.
Scenic Byway Driving Tour App
Enjoy a trip along the Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway with a new driving tour app now available at Travel Oregon, sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Travel Oregon and made possible with editorial direction by Visit Corvallis and Siuslaw Forest Service. This app will guide you along the Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway, offering you the history of the area as well as interesting facts and stories about locations along the way. Learn more and get the app here.
Philomath, Oregon is an adorable and busy little town situated along Highway 34. Named for a college that was founded here back in 1867, this small town never grew like its neighbor Corvallis. Still, it's a popular stop along the way to Marys Peak, as it's got much more to offer than one would expect.
Must-Sees in Philomath
Benton County Museum - The college that the town was named for is now the Benton County Historical Society. This beautiful brick building is home to artifacts, photographs and other fascinating historical pieces dating back centuries.
It's not every day that you can see a shoe factory, but Soft Star Shoes opens their doors to tours. This company is distinctly Oregon, putting a minimalist spin on shoes. Take the tour and see the latest in footwear development.
Grab a bite at Eats & Treats Cafe or pop in to Timber Towne Coffee for a drink and a sweet snack for the drive. Marcotte Distilling is right in Philomath, too, so you may want to arrange a designated driver and do a bit of craft beverage tasting on the way.
Beautiful Marys Peak is just a short drive out of Philomath, down HW34. Turn off on the Marys Peak Access Road and drive up to the parking lot near the top of the mountain. Be prepared for a twisty-turny drive as you wind your way upwards. At the parking lot you'll find access to meadows, a rustic bathroom, hiking and biking trails, amazing views and great picnicking spots. Now that you're here, what's next? We've got you.
Must-Sees at Marys Peak
Make your way to Marys Peak Day Use Area. Bring your camera, because you're now at the highest point in the Oregon Coast range. From this vantage point you'll be able to see both the Pacific to the west and many of the highest peaks in Oregon's Cascade Range in the west. It's not everyday or everyone that can capture a view like that.
Watch the birdy! You don't have to be avid fan of the avians to enjoy the bird watching along the Meadowridge Trail. The loop trail winds along meadows and forests alike, showcasing the varied diversity of the coastal range. Bonus tip: Spring and summer bring beautiful wildflower blooms in the meadows.
Go camping - The Marys Peak Campground is located a short distance down the road from the Day Use area. The sites are nestled amidst the douglas and noble fir trees, along with the western red cedar. It's a peaceful way to spend a few days between May and September.
After taking in everything you can at Marys Peak, make your way south to Alsea falls. The Alsea Falls Recreation Area is just a short jaunt off HW34, about 10 miles along South Fork Road. You can reach the falls via a relatively easy 4.7 mile loop. Alsea Falls is a lovely place for hiking, biking, splashing in the river, or having a picnic. The best part is that the hike also has another waterfall - Green Peak Falls. Bring your camera and tripod, the photo ops here are wonderful.
Once you've gotten your fill of the waterfalls, make your way to the coast where you'll find Waldport, a cute little coast town that butts right up to the Pacific Ocean. Waldport is a beautiful example of what happens when the coast meets the forest.
Must-Sees in Waldport
Be sure to stop by the Alsea Bay Historic Interpretive Center. This scenic bridge was part of the Oregon Department of Transportation's program to rebuild bridges throughout the state. The Oregon Parks and Recreation department now does crabbing and clamming demonstrations during the summer here. Also keep an eye out for harbor seal pups here as well.
Speaking of bridges, the Fisher School (Five Rivers) Covered Bridge is a nearby historic bridge that spans over Five Rivers, named for the five streams that come together to form the river.
No trip to Waldport is complete without spending some time at the water. One popular site is just a couple miles south of Waldport, the Beachside State Recreation Site. There are literally miles of beach to explore there. It's also a popular campsite, with each site just seconds from the water's edge, meaning you get a front-row seat to all the sunsets or stormy skies the Pacific provides.
Visit www.Waldport.org to find more to see and do while you're there. Plan a stay in Waldport, and extend your trip with another gorgeous drive: the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway.
There's no shortage of gorgeous scenery along the drive to the coast, and there's a few other great places to stop, too. Keep an eye out for the Thyme Garden, a great little place to stop for a quick bit of shopping and a stroll through some gorgeous gardens. Clemens Park is another option that offers hiking, splashing in the river, bathrooms, and great spots to picnic. And don't miss the Hayden Covered Bridge, one of only seven remaining covered bridges in Oregon that were built before 1920.
If you're feeling like maybe there's just too much to see and do on this drive for one day, don't worry! Book a stay at Leaping Lamb Farm, enjoy a peaceful night in homey comfort, and stretch your adventure across two days.
A Driving Tour from City to Sea: Willamette Valley, Alsea River Valley & More
Come with us on a driving tour of one of Oregon’s newest scenic and historic byways. From the highest point in the Coast Range to the broad, sandy beaches of the Central Coast, follow the Alsea River on a delightfully meandering 72-mile driving tour from Corvallis to Waldport.
