Overview
Tillamook is the county seat of Tillamook County, near the Northern Oregon Coast. It is the gateway to the Three Capes Scenic Area which is the coastline between the mouth of Tillamook Bay in the north, down to Cape Lookout in the south.
This article contains information about both Tillamook proper and the surrounding Three Capes Scenic Area.
7 sights · 5 things to do · 5 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Tillamook
Tillamook Creamery
The Tillamook Creamery Visitor's Center is the center of the prime dairy area of Oregon. Interactive exhibits describe the cheesemaking process, and visitors can see the process unfold through the glass windows. Samples …
Tillamook Air Museum
An aircraft collection and aviation museum focused on World War II. Located in one of the few remaining World War II blimp hangars. The massive building is the largest clear-span wooden structure in the world, and was de…
Tillamook County Pioneer Museum
Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site
A short, easy trail to the tallest waterfall in the Coast Range.
Cape Meares Lighthouse
This uniquely short lighthouse is perched on a cliff overlooking the waves that crash against the rocky Pacific coastline. The lighthouse is a 1/3rd mile walk along a paved pathway from the parking lot. Excellent site fo…
Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Lookout offers 5 miles of beach access along Netarts Spit, as well as a campground and hiking along Cape Lookout itself which juts 1.6 miles out into the ocean providing sweeping views of the coastline on a clear da…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Portland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SLE Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field, Salem — 56 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 61 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Tillamook County Transportation District (TCTD) Route 5 connects Tillamook to Portland (at Union Station and the Greyhound depot) twice in each direction per day. One-way fare is $15, and round-trip fare is $20. Route 3 comes to Tillamook from as far north as Manzanita and Cannon Beach, and Route 4 comes from as far south as Lincoln City.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $12 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tillamook Air Museum, Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, Latimer Quilt and Textile Center
- Lunch Jandy Oyster Co
- Afternoon Munson Creek Falls State Natural Site, Kilchis Point Reserve
- Dinner Tacos La Provedencia
- Evening De Garde Brewing
Day 2
- Morning Tillamook Creamery, Alderbrook Golf Course
- Lunch Garibaldi Portside Bistro
- Afternoon Bayocean Peninsula, Cape Meares Lighthouse
- Dinner Blue Heron French Cheese Company
- Evening Pelican Brewing
Day 3
- Morning Cape Lookout State Park, Short Beach
- Lunch Roseanna's Cafe
- Afternoon Oceanside Beach
- Evening The Schooner Restaurant and Lounge
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
As with the rest of the Oregon Coast, the Tillamook area has a focus on fresh seafood at many establishments. Tilamook proper has fast-food options along U.S. Route 101 if you just need a quick bite.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Tillamook is a dairy town located inland from the coast near the shores of Tillamook Bay. It is the largest city in the area, and most famously home to the TIllamook County Creamery Association who make Tillamook Cheese. Although the area's dairy farms were established as far back as the 1850s, the TCCA was founded in 1909 and built the first cheese factory (still located at the current site) in 1949. While only a fraction of Tillamook brand products are still produced at this facility as the TCCA has grown over the years, it remains at the core of the city and regional economy.
Outside of Tillamook, outdoor recreational opportunities abound in the bays and the sea. The coastal communities of Oceanside, Netarts, and Cape Meares become hotspots for summer getaways, although off-season visits can be enjoyable with a different (chilly and wet) vibe.
Get in
By car
- U.S. Route 101, Oregon's coastal highway, enters Tillamook from the north and south.
- from The best route to Tillamook from Interstate 5 is to take I-405 in downtown Portland to U.S. Highway 26, which connects to Oregon Route 6 about 20 miles (33 km) west. I-5 traffic from the south can also take Oregon Route 217 at Tigard to Highway 26.
By bus
The Tillamook County Transportation District (TCTD) Route 5 connects Tillamook to Portland (at Union Station and the Greyhound depot) twice in each direction per day. One-way fare is $15, and round-trip fare is $20. Route 3 comes to Tillamook from as far north as Manzanita and Cannon Beach, and Route 4 comes from as far south as Lincoln City.
Get around
By car
It is possible to get to some areas using the bus, but it would be impossible to tap into the full potential of the area without a car.
By bus
TCTD's Route 1, the Tillamook Town Loop, makes 12 trips around town per day, leaving the 2nd & Laurel Transit Center hourly at quarter past the hour from 7:15AM to 6:15PM. Fare is $1.50.
See
See Tillamook Creamery
The Tillamook Creamery Visitor's Center is the center of the prime dairy area of Oregon. Interactive exhibits describe the cheesemaking process, and visitors can see the process unfold through the glass windows. Samples of their various products are available, including cheddar cheese curds. And of course, there's ice cream... forty flavors of them.
See Cape Meares Lighthouse
This uniquely short lighthouse is perched on a cliff overlooking the waves that crash against the rocky Pacific coastline. The lighthouse is a 1/3rd mile walk along a paved pathway from the parking lot. Excellent site for whale and seabird watching on a clear day. The site is open year-round, but the lighthouse tour and gift shop are only open in the summer months.
- Three Arch Rocks
Do
Beach access
Do Bayocean Peninsula
Bayocean was once a planned luxury resort town that fell into the sea in the 1920s due to erosion when the Tillamook Bay Jetty was completed. What remains is a pristine 5-mile beachfront along the spit that encloses Tillamook Bay. Directly adjacent to the village of Cape Meares (although the shortcut to Oceanside over the Cape itself has been closed due to storm damage).
Do Short Beach (also known locally as Agate Beach or Hundred Step Beach)
Fishing
Many Oregonians enjoy crabbing, fishing and clamming in both Tillamook and Netarts Bays as well as the local rivers. The Wilson River is renowned for salmon and steelhead fishing, and other nearby coastal rivers like the Trask, Tillamook and Kilchis rivers have plenty to offer as well. The Barview Jetty on the north side of the Tillamook Bay inlet is known to have consistent surf fishing. Deep sea charters and guide services are readily available in both Tillamook and Garibaldi.
Crabbing and fishing can be done from shore, but it is also possible to rent a boat and any other gear you need on site to increase your opportunities in either of the bays. It is recommended to ask about the local conditions at a sporting goods store or somewhere similar. They can offer some advice about whether any money or time invested would be well spent, and point you toward rental boats and equipment if needed.
Other recreation
Kayaking around Netarts and Tillamook Bays is common, and allows for opportunities to explore areas that are difficult to access otherwise. Keep track of the tides, and be cautious near the inlets of the bays, as swift currents can easily pull you out to sea.
Warm weather often brings paragliders and hang gliders out to Oceanside, which has a spectacular view from its launch point. Watch them soar above and land on the beach front, or drive up to the launch point high above and see how it's done. If you have equipment (and training) of your own, it's a great place to soar.
The nearby Tillamook State Forest and Sand Lake Recreation Area (see Pacific City) have a multitude of areas to ride all-terrain vehicles. Rentals are not common, but can be arranged.
Buy
Even within the beachside villages, Tillamook and the surrounding area don't have a whole lot to offer in the way of touristy trinkets. Tillamook has a Fred Meyer and Safeway for any routine purchases and groceries, but visitors should take note of the seafood and meat options that are available. Of course, Tillamook's dairy products can be purchased at thousands of grocery stores in the U.S., but other quality food products of the region don't have quite the same reach.
Eat
As with the rest of the Oregon Coast, the Tillamook area has a focus on fresh seafood at many establishments. Tilamook proper has fast-food options along U.S. Route 101 if you just need a quick bite.
Eat Blue Heron French Cheese Company
The Blue Heron has a rustic atmosphere with a petting zoo out front. Inside you can find samples of cheese, wine, mustard, and jam. The deli counter makes delicious sandwiches, soups and salads at a reasonable price.
Eat Garibaldi Portside Bistro
Small, cozy bistro located right along the bay focuses on high quality food with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Eat Roseanna's Cafe
Long-standing rustic cafe in Oceanside with seafood mains and homemade desserts.
Eat Tacos La Provedencia
A local favorite food truck that serves authentic (Tex-)Mexican favorites.
Eat Jandy Oyster Co
A family-owned establishment serving oysters grown on their own farm in Netarts Bay, as well as other locally sourced seafood dishes.
Drink
Drink De Garde Brewing
Brewed with spontaneous fermentation in a coolship: the beer takes in wild yeast abundant in the air here. Minors and well-behaved pets allowed on patio.
Drink Pelican Brewing
Pelican Brewery was founded 45 minutes to the south in Pacific City, but has expanded to other locations along the coast. Try their Cream Ale!
Drink The Schooner Restaurant and Lounge
A bayside spot with excellent open patio seating for mild weather. Both the food and drinks are generally top notch, though occasionally inconsistent. The service tends to be at what some would call a "beachy pace", but as long as nobody is coming in with a completely empty stomach, the atmosphere makes for a pleasant wait.
Sleep
Tilamook has a couple of hotel options, but most visitors would probably prefer to stay in the beach villages of Netarts, Oceanside, or Cape Meares. Each of which have their own selection of inns and rental cabins available to suit your needs.
Camping is available at Cape Lookout State Park (see above).
Go next
- Tillamook State Forest, with hiking trails and a visitor center with a footbridge over the Wilson River.
- Manzanita and Seaside have a bit more of a typical beach town vibe 1-2 hours northbound on U.S. Route 101.
- Pacific City and Lincoln City are the next stops southbound on U.S. Route 101 on your way to the Central Oregon Coast.
Nearby
Garibaldi
City / town · 23 listings · 8 mi away
Rockaway Beach
City / town · 8 listings · 12 mi away
Tillamook State Forest
Park · 4 listings · 16 mi away
Pacific City
City / town · 9 listings · 18 mi away
Arch Cape
City / town · 2 listings · 26 mi away
Grand Ronde
City / town · 5 listings · 30 mi away
Cannon Beach
City / town · 11 listings · 31 mi away
Lincoln City
City / town · 52 listings · 34 mi away
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