If you stick to the main drag through the beachfront burg of Lincoln City, Oregon, it might feel like just a long, slow stretch of Highway 101—lined with old motels, neon signs, and a steady stream of traffic heading north and south. But step off the main road and you’ll discover a completely different side of this coastal town.
Lincoln City sits on the central Oregon Coast, stretched out along seven miles of sandy beach where the Pacific Ocean meets forested headlands and freshwater lakes. To the north, Cascade Head rises dramatically above the shoreline, protecting estuaries and tidepools. To the south, Siletz Bay brings calmer waters, wildlife, and wide-open views. In between, the city weaves around Devils Lake, a freshwater playground that sits just a few blocks from the ocean.
While it seems like one continuous oceanfront city, Lincoln City is actually a distinctive blend of historic fishing villages, summer resort towns, and artist communities that merged into one. That spirit is still here today: you’ll find glassblowing studios, small-town main streets, surf shops, crab shacks, quiet neighborhoods, and plenty of places to just watch the waves roll in.
Lincoln City started out as a string of towns—Nelscott, Taft, Cutler City, Oceanlake, and Delake—that merged together in the 1960s. As you explore the city, you’ll find that each neighborhood still has a personality all its own and unique hidden corners to discover.
Lincoln City aerial view
Nelscott
Nelscott started as a classic beach resort town in the 1920s, founded by Charles P. Nelson and Dr. W.G. Scott (the name “Nelscott” is literally a mashup of their last names). Early visitors came here for summer cottages, clam digging, and the wide, sandy beach.
That old resort-town character still lingers—small cafes, retro motels, and a cozy, slower pace. If you’re into secondhand browsing or just want a low-key beach day, Nelscott is your spot. The heart of Nelscott for going on 100 years is the Nelscott Strip, a half-dozen shops and diners on the west side of the highway at South 32nd.
These days, Nelscott has an international claim to fame as the home of the Nelscott Reef, one of the few true big-wave surf breaks in the continental U.S. On the rare days when conditions line up, pro surfers descend on the little town to ride 40-foot waves just offshore. Even if you’re not a surfer, it’s fun to watch from shore and watch the waves crest and roll ashore.
Christmas Cottage Lincoln City
While you’re in Nelscott, visit the Christmas Cottage, a Lincoln City favorite since the 1960s. You’ll find everything from classic ornaments and German nutcrackers to coastal-themed decorations (think glass floats and starfish Santas).
Robert’s Bookshop in Lincoln City has been open since 1987.
Right next door is Robert’s Bookshop, one of the largest used bookstores on the Oregon Coast. Shelves stretch on and on–1.64 miles of bookshelves, to be exact–with everything from rare first editions to well-loved paperbacks, plus a generous section dedicated to local history and the Oregon Coast.
Taft
Taft sits along Siletz Bay, so instead of crashing waves, you get calmer waters where people are often out clamming, crabbing, or just enjoying the view. This was one of the earliest settled areas, and it still has that feeling of being its own little town.
One of the gems of Lincoln City is a three-block stretch of 51st Street, west from the highway toward the ocean. You’ll pass under a welcoming arch, which bears Taft’s crab mascot, and discover a driftwood-lined beach with a view of a nearby island teeming with seals and pelicans sunning themselves.
Taft is one of the oldest and most historic parts of Lincoln City. Long before settlers, the Siletz tribe lived and fished along the bay here. In the early 1900s, Taft became its own beach town, complete with fishing docks, canneries, and hotels catering to visitors arriving by stagecoach and ferry.\
Lincoln City Glass Center
Taft is home to the Lincoln City Glass Center, where you can watch artisans work molten glass into floats, ornaments, and bowls—or try your hand at creating your own piece. Nearby MOR Art is a fused-glass studio where you can design your own fused-glass art and shop works from local artists. There are also plenty of restaurants right on the bay, perfect for grabbing seafood and watching the sunset.
Lincoln City North Lincoln County Historical Museum
North Lincoln County Historical Museum offers a deep dive into the story of Lincoln City, with exhibits about early settlers, the glass-float tradition, and how the city came together. When you’re ready for a break, duck into Snug Harbor Bar & Grill, the oldest bar on the Oregon Coast. It’s been serving up food and drinks since the early 1900s.
Oceanlake
Oceanlake was once the commercial hub of the area, and you can still sense that in the way it feels like “downtown” Lincoln City. It was incorporated as a town in 1945, complete with its own city hall, movie theaters, grocery stores, and a busy little main street. You can walk or drive under the Oceanlake steel arch, which includes the district’s sand dollar mascot, as you head toward the ocean.
Oceanlake is a walkable stretch of Highway 101 that hangs onto its small-town charm even as traffic buzzes by. If you wander off the main drag you’ll find side streets lined with shops and galleries.
Lincoln City Bijou Theatre
The Bijou Theatre is a classic silver-screen gem circa 1937. It still shows new releases, timeless classics, and matinees year-round. Plus, they serve wine, beer, and grub from the neighboring Grill 1646. Nearby Output Records is a gem for music lovers—an old-style record store where you can browse vinyl, and sometimes even catch local artists in-store.
Delake
Delake is almost surrounded by water, with the ocean to the west and Devils Lake to the east. This was once a popular summer resort area, and you can see why. One moment you’re kayaking on the lake, and just a short walk away, you can be standing on the beach watching the Pacific waves roll in.
Delake is home to D River State Recreation Site, one of the busiest day-use parks in the state system with its convenient beach access. D River flows a mere 120 feet from Devils Lake into the roaring ocean. Nearby is Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area, with the only public camping in Lincoln City.
Some say the name “Delake” comes from a Finnish settler who referred to the lake simply as “de lake.” Resorts, summer cabins, and dance halls drew crowds here in the 1920s–30s, and it had a reputation as a place to play.
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is housed in the 1927 Delake School building. This historic venue is a creative hub hosting art exhibits, live performances, workshops, and community events. Just outside, the newly designed Cultural Plaza invites you in with public art, sculptures like the interactive “Poppy,” a musical chimes area, and the playful “Tidepool Sea Stars” installation made from marine debris.
Just a quick stroll from the Cultural Center, Lincoln City Outlets packs over 50 brand-name stores–everything from Coach and The North Face to Columbia–offering deals on gear, clothes, or home goods.
Cutler City
Cutler City sits on the south end of Lincoln City, tucked along the eastern edge of Siletz Bay. It was established in 1913 by Mr. and Mrs. George Cutler, who moved west from Kansas and sold lots for summer homes. Back then, it was a small but tight-knit resort town, popular for its easy access to the calm bay waters and fishing.
Today’s Cutler City is quieter than Taft just up the bay, but it still has its own flavor. The area feels calm and off the beaten path–great for exploring galleries, birdwatching along the bay, or just enjoying a slower pace. There’s the Josephine Young Memorial Park, a hidden little spot with bay access, and some quirky shops and studios tucked into the neighborhood.
Lincoln City Freed Gallery
A real gem in Cutler City is The Freed Gallery. Its outdoor wind garden is a whimsical sight—kinetic sculptures sway and twist with the breeze. Inside, you’ll find artworks from over 100 local artists, spanning glass, pottery, metalwork, weaving, photography, jewelry, and more.
For quiet and greenery, head to the Cutler City Wetlands. Just over 26 acres of flat, peaceful trails wind through rhododendrons that are especially magical when they’re in full spring bloom. With well-maintained paths and scenic views, it’s a favorite for casual strolls and birding.
Lincoln City’s early vacation communities retain their unique vibe
In addition to the five cities that make up Lincoln City, these vacation communities have joined the city. While they weren’t cities of their own, they have a unique history and culture that sets them apart.
Wecoma
Wecoma has long been the place where westward travelers got their first sight of the ocean. Native Americans traveled along the Salmon River on an “elk trail” to reach the “big waters.” It was later one of the original little settlements that welcomed early vacationers from the Willamette Valley. Before highways made travel easier, people would come by train and boat, then make the trek to the coast. Wecoma became a spot for beach cabins, motels, and simple family vacations. In 1945, Wecoma was merged with the town of Oceanlake.
Today visitors travel along the same route, now the Salmon River Highway, arriving at the coast in the Wecoma area of Lincoln City.
If you’ve ever stayed at one of the classic motels right on the beach in Lincoln City, chances are you were in Wecoma. This is the heart of Lincoln City’s sandy stretches, where you’ll find easy beach access points and a long, flat shoreline perfect for walking, hunting for agates, or flying a kite.
Wecoma is also convenient—close to shops, restaurants, and everything you might need. It’s a great “home base” if you want to explore up and down the coast but still come back to a central spot each night.
Lincoln City Connie Hansen Garden
While you’re in Wecoma, visit the free Connie Hansen Garden, a small, local gem where you can wander verdant pathways and sit to breathe in the fragrant garden air for a spell.
Or, if you want to add some excitement to your visit, visit the Chinook Winds Casino Resort for slot machines, live entertainment, dining options, and oceanfront rooms. It’s a fun contrast to the tranquil beach town feel.
Roads End
Roads End sits at the far north edge of town, and while it was never an incorporated town of its own, it’s long been its own community. Before Lincoln City expanded northward, Roads End was more remote—accessed by winding beach roads and known mostly to locals and vacation-home owners. It became part of the city in 2011, after decades of debate about annexation.
Today, Roads End still feels separate and a little wilder. The beach here is one of the most beautiful stretches in Lincoln City, with tidepools and sea stacks. It’s less crowded than central beaches, and you’ll see more locals out walking dogs than tourists.
At low tide, a hidden cove—often called the “secret beach”—reveals itself near Roads End. It’s a special find for tidepool lovers hunting sea stars, anemones, and hermit crabs. Just keep an eye on the tides–it can become inaccessible when the water rises. Just a short hike from the beach, The Knoll offers some of Lincoln City’s most dramatic views overlooking the coastline, town, and ocean.
Choose the Lincoln City neighborhood that’s perfect for your coastal escape
Next time you visit Lincoln City, take a little time to wander each neighborhood. You’ll start to see Lincoln City not just as a single coastal stop, but as a collection of unique communities stitched together by miles of beach, bay, and lake.
