Oregon Coast named one of best places to travel in the world in 2026
Video shows tiny sand dollars at Ocean View Park in Yachats
You can find thousands of tiny sand dollars at the Oregon Coast beach.
The Oregon Coast was named one of the BBC’s top travel destinations on its list of the 20 best places to travel in 2026.
The British Broadcasting Corporation, known as the BBC, recently named 20 places across the world as some of the best destinations to travel to in 2026.
“In this year’s guide to the best places to travel, we’re highlighting destinations that offer incredible experiences while using tourism to support local communities, protect the environment and preserve their unique cultural heritage,” the BBC said.
To compile its list, the media organization gathered information from its staff, journalists, and international travel authorities to decide which places were the most welcoming and had the highest positive impact on travelers.
The Oregon Coast appeared on the list alongside popular travel destinations like Abu Dhabi, Costa Rica, Montenegro and more.
Here’s what the BBC said about the Oregon Coast.
BBC names Oregon Coast as one of the best places to travel in 2026
On its list of the 20 best places to travel in 2026, the BBC said that the Oregon Coast was a top travel destination with endless opportunities for exploration and a dramatic coastline that stretches nearly 370 miles.
“The Oregon Coast is a mesmerizing mix of brawn and beauty,” the BBC said. “Wave-pounded shorelines splash against dense evergreen forests, lonely lighthouses poke their heads over the moody fog and migrating whales breach offshore from small-town fishing communities.”
Oregon was also highlighted as the only state in the United States with an entire coastline that is free and public to everyone, thanks to a 1967 landmark bill known as the Oregon Beach Bill.
The BBC also noted that seasonal shuttles from Portland and a growing EV-charging network make the Oregon Coast more accessible, making it one of the “country’s bucket-list road trips” in 2026.
Oregon also provides opportunities for those with disabilities to explore its beaches with Mobi-Mats laid over the sand and free beach wheelchairs.
The BBC also recognized the Oregon Coast for its fresh and locally caught seafood options available through efforts that support local and sustainable fishing practices, as well as hotel options through programs like Every Stay Gives Back that support environmental nonprofits and protect the coastline.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
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