Cape Perpetua is the high point of the central Oregon coast in every sense — at 800 feet, it is the highest viewpoint directly accessible by road on the Oregon coast, with a paved summit road branching from the highway. The view from the top takes in a vast arc of coastline, forested mountains to the east, and the ocean to the horizon. On clear days you can see 70 miles in either direction.
Below the cape, a network of trails explores the basalt tidepools, sea caves, and rocky shores. The Captain Cook Trail leads down from the visitor centre to the wave-carved channels and pools at the base of the headland. The tidepools are accessible at low tide and hold sea stars, anemones, chitons, and hermit crabs. The Siuslaw National Forest visitor centre at the base of the cape has trail maps and tide tables. Cape Perpetua is 2.5 miles south of Yachats on Highway 101.