Recommendations for scenic coastal drive, beaches? (Lincoln City, Seaside: beach, train, bike)

[sushi66]

I want to go explore the coast and am looking for suggestions of which towns between approximately Seaside and Lincoln City offer the best coast-hugging scenic drives, beaches, cliffs, etc.?

[Bendite]

Cannon Beach and then south of there, about 10 miles from Tillamook, the Three Capes Scenic Loop (lighthouse, trails, cliffs, birds, whale watching). Gorgeous!

[Silverfall]

I also like Manzanita and there is a great short hike up to an incredible viewpoint.

[davefr]

Starting from Lincoln City go North to Pacific City. (ie get off of Hwy 101) Now take the Sandlake Hwy to Sandlake, Cape Lookout, Netarts Bay then Netarts. Now go to Oceanside (the crown jewel community of the entire OR coast IMHO). Now go to Cape Meares and check out the lighthouse and octopus tree. Continue on to Bay Ocean Spit park and take a walk or bike ride all the way out to the Garibaldi Bay inlet. Now continue on around the bay into Tillamook. See the Tillamook Air Museum (at least the wooden hanger).

Head north on 101 and check out Garibaldi. (consider the scenic train ride to Wheeler). Then head north to Nehalem, Manzanita and Cannon Beach. The stretch between Manzanita and Cannon Beach is very scenic. Check out Oswald State Park.

There lots more to see along this route. I just covered the "must see" portions.