July and August are the warmest months, with afternoon temperatures reaching the mid-60s°F (around 18°C) and enough dry days to justify beach trips. The town fills on summer weekends, though it never reaches Cannon Beach volumes — you can still find parking. Book accommodation weeks ahead.
May, June, and September are the insiders' months. The crowds are thin, the light is often extraordinary, and prices drop significantly. June can be foggy in the mornings but clears to brilliant afternoons. September is arguably the best month: warm, dry, and golden.
October through April brings heavy rain and dramatic surf — not beach weather, but good for storm watching from the dunes. The hiking on Neahkahnie Mountain and in Oswald West State Park is beautiful in autumn colour. Many restaurants reduce their hours or close entirely in winter; check before you go.
Whale migration peaks in mid-December to mid-January (southbound) and March to early April (northbound), making Neahkahnie Mountain an excellent vantage point during those windows.