Tell me about the Oregon Coast

Plan on a couple of weeks. First stop should be Astoria area. Next stop maybe Tillamook area. Then maybe Newport, then Florence or possibly Reedsport. CoosBay, Port Orford and finally end up in Brookings. A couple days in each town should give you ample time to explore each area except CoosBay which is the gateway to the Oregon Dunes. If your interested then maybe three days for dune riding.
Best time to visit the Oregon coast is mid to late August to the end of September. But you should plan and expect rain even that time of year. The coast is a diverse experience with lots to see and do.

Over priced, over rated, over crowded. JMHO I live here.

LOL! That describes every tourist area! I will say, though, often I think we miss the beauty in our own back yards because we see it every day.

Cannon Beach did strike my fancy. As far as timing I should have said May OR September. We have decided to take two one-week vacations this year instead of one two-weeker. Original plan was probably back to St. John in the USVI or the keys in May but both of those are out of the question. Also thinking about Myrtle Beach in May but not sure I want to do two beach vacations although they'd be very different.

Long coast line - lots of nice things to see/do. If you have the time and money I would start at Astoria and work your way down. I live in the Portland area and tend to frequent Newport area ... it's reasonably close to casino's, restaurants and right on the Ocean. Maybe someone else can provide a good hotel - I usually stay at Beverly Beach SP few minutes north.

Many places to see.
Astoria area has Ft. Stevens(only place to be shelled during WWII), Astor Column offers a great view of Columbia River entering the Pacific Ocean. Fort Clatsop is the location Lewis and Clark stayed.
Seaside is big turist attraction, site of salt cairn built by Lewis and Clark.
Depoe Bay is unique small town. Has spouting horns during heavy surf.
You say during summer, we like much of the coast during the rainy season. Less people and prices are lower.

Over priced, over rated, over crowded. JMHO I live here.

People don't actually swim in the ocean on the Oregon coast. There is some surfing and wind surfing is popular. There are dangerous undertows that take a number of lives every year. It is a beautiful area. May is often rainy and the summer is very, very busy. Even September requires reservations. If you don't have an RV I can't make any recommendations but I particularly like Depoe Bay, although it is south of Pacific City. You can take a whale watching dory ride or just watch the greys from the shore. Another favorite is Cannon Beach. There are nice motels everywhere and many parks with tent camping.

I suggest October. Best weather. Less people with kids back in school.