Discover the 10 best beaches on the Oregon North Coast – and why we like them. We’ve included a list of activities each beach is ideal for to help you find your perfect beach.
The Oregon North Coast covers Astoria (at the north end) to Neskowin (at the south end). The area is packed with history. Lewis and Clark, shipwrecks, lighthouses, military forts, and the Coast Guard figure prominently.
Wildlife is abundant, whether by land, air, or sea. The rugged, rocky coastline makes beautiful scenery. Miles of flat, sand beaches provide endless recreation opportunities.
And turn around – cause right behind you is old-growth forest creating a barrier between the ocean and the rest of the world.
Note on swimming: You’ll see I haven’t mentioned swimming as an option on any beach. The Oregon Coast is notorious for rip tides, undertows, and rough surf. The water is frigid year-round. Always use extreme caution before going into the water.
Warrenton (Fort Stevens State Park)
Fort Stevens State Park is a 4300-acre park, originally used for national defense between the Civil War and WWII. The park is a wonderful place to camp – or visit for the day.
There’s a small military museum nearby explaining the history of the Fort. And a highlight for kids and adults – 2 (decommissioned) gun battery sites, Battery Russell and Battery Mishler, used to defend the Columbia River mouth. You can explore and climb around both sites.
Best for:
- Children
- Sand Castle building
- Kite flying
- Sunsets – especially if you want to photograph the Peter Iredale ruins.
- Walking/Jogging
- Peace
Pro Tip: Come at low tide for the best access to the Peter Iredale ship (ruins of a shipwreck in 1906).
I enjoyed this article by Jamie Hale in the Oregonian; the report includes a photo history of the wreckage since 1906.
Parking?
Yes, there are 2 parking loops at the end of Peter Iredale Rd.
Restrooms?
Yes, near the parking area.
Day use fee?
Yes, $5
Seaside Beach
The town of Seaside has a main drag through the center of town. Follow it to the turnaround, and you will be at the heart of the action.
Seaside Beach is not for everyone. It’s a hot spot for beach volleyball and young people, making it the most hopping beach in Oregon. If you want peace, this is not it.
If you’re looking to see and be seen, you’ll love it. This was my favorite beach when I was a teenager and my least favorite when I had teenagers!
Best for:
- Children (the farther you get from the turnaround, the better)
- Volleyball
- Social scene
- Sandcastle building
- Sunsets
- Beach bike/Surrey rental
- Walking/Jogging
- Access to restaurants and touristy services
Pro Tip: If you have your heart set on Seaside, search for a room at one of the many beachfront hotels. You will be able to walk out of the building and be on the beach in minutes – or head the other direction and take advantage of the four-square block of restaurants, shopping, and fun.
Seaside is a great place for a family vacation when you’re kids cover a wide age span.
Parking?
Yes, Seaside has several public parking areas throughout town.
Restrooms?
Yes, at the turnaround.
Day use fee?
No
Indian Beach (Ecola State Park)
Indian Beach is inside Ecola State Park. At one end of the beach, Indian Point creates a little protection. Rock outcroppings on either end of the beach create tide pools. And, surfers love it here.
After driving through a dense forest (Ecola State Park), you will come to a day-use parking area. A short walk takes you down to the beach. The beach will get crowded during the summer and when the waves are good (for surfing).
In the off-season, weekdays, and blustery days you may have the beach to yourself.
Best for:
- Children
- Sandcastle Building
- Tide pooling
- Surfing
- Peace
Pro Tip: For hikers, check out the Clatsop Loop Trail (2.7-miles) or the Crescent Beach Trail (2.5-miles) and extend the fun.
Parking?
Yes, at the end of Ecola Park Rd.
Restrooms?
Yes, in the parking lot and along the trail.
Day use fee?
Yes, $5
Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach
Iconic Haystack Rock is the centerpiece of Cannon Beach.
These days the rock and its intertidal wildlife are protected. People are no longer allowed to walk and climb all over the tidepools and nesting sites willy nilly. Docents are stationed around the area during low tide to answer questions and share their knowledge about the resident creatures.
Best for:
- Children
- Sandcastle Building
- Kite Flying
- Beach Combing
- Tide Pooling
- Sunsets
- Beach Bike/Surrey Rental
- Walking/Jogging
- Surfing
- Access to restaurants and touristy services
Pro Tip: For families with loads of gear, I suggest a sand-worthy wagon or cart.
Parking?
Yes, Cannon Beach has several public lots and street parking.
You will probably have to walk several blocks to the beach (hence the wagon suggestion above).
Restrooms?
Yes. Public restrooms are available a few blocks from the beach.
It’s not going to be a fun trek if you have a bunch of gear and small children.
Day use fee?
No
Hug Point
Hug Point is our favorite beach on the North Coast. It sits between Cannon Beach and Manzanita. Rock cliffs on either side create a sandy cove with a very Swiss Family Robinson feel. We usually fly right by the turn-off and have to backtrack, so keep a sharp eye out for the sign.
Be sure to walk around the rock (Adair Point) on the north end of the beach. There is a waterfall, shallow cave-like areas for kids to explore, and streams to splash in.
If you go south around Point Meriwether, you will be on the Oregon Coast Trail and can go as far as Arch Cape (2 miles) for a hike and more tide pooling.
At low-tide you can find the original stagecoach line complete with wheel ruts. This used to be the only way along the coastline and travelers were at the mercy of the tide table and the weather to “hug’ the point and continue on their way.
And if you’re a geocacher, check out the caches. There’s a fun one on the beach near the waterfall.
Best for:
- Children
- Sandcastle Building
- Tide Pooling
- Kite Flying
- Surfing
- Peace – off-season
Pro Tip: Come at low tide for the best tide pooling. But keep an eye out for the tide coming in. You can get stranded in certain areas.
Parking?
Yes, but it fills up fast during peak times.
Try arriving early (before 9:30 am).
Be aware – the parking lot is pretty tight and on a downward slope. It’s a challenge to get a large vehicle in and out. Forget about bringing an RV into this lot (friendly advice – not a directive).
Restrooms?
Yes, at either end of the parking lot.
Day use fee?
No
Short Sand Beach (Oswald State Park)
Short Sands is very popular with surfers and boogie boarders. The beach sits inside the rectangular Smuggler’s Cove. It’s an all-around popular destination, especially in the summer. It’s a bit of a hike (1.2-miles) to the beach – something to consider if you have small children and a bunch of gear.
Best for:
- Surfing
- Boogie boarding
- Families with kids that can carry their own stuff
- Peace – off season
Pro Tip: Try the 6.6-mile hike to Neahkahnie Mountain. And if you bring kids it’s best to have a sand worthy wagon or cart.
Parking?
Yes. At Oswald State Park’s main lot.
Restrooms?
Yes. State park restrooms in the parking area.
Day use fee?
No
Manzanita Beach
Manzanita is a small beach town at the base of Neahkahnie Mountain. With Nehalem Bay protecting the south end, it’s a special place. Often this geo protection blesses Manzanita with slightly better weather than its neighboring beaches. However, we’re talking about the Oregon Coast, so “good weather” is relative!
The crescent-shaped beach offers 7-miles of unobstructed walking.
The beach is rarely crowded, especially during the shoulder seasons, but it is popular with kiteboarders, kite flyers, and families.
Best for:
- Children
- Sandcastle building
- Kite flying
- Tidepools (at the north end)
- Sunsets
- Beach bikes
- Walking/Jogging
- Kiteboarding
- Horseback riding
- Access to restaurants and touristy services
Inside Nehalem Bay:
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Crabbing
Pro Tip: Manzanita is a wonderful place to stay. Especially if you want a peaceful beach vacation, there are a few small hotel/motels, many vacation rentals, and Nehalem Bay State Park.
It’s a short drive to Cannon Beach (north) and Tillamook (south).
Parking?
There’s street side parking around town.
Restrooms?
No restrooms on the beach. There is a public restroom on 5th and Laneda. It’s a distance from the beach.
Day use fee?
No
Rockaway Beach
With a 7-mile stretch of sandy beach, Rockaway is a beach for walkers. And since there’s so much ground to cover, this beach has plenty of room. Rockaway has a wide variety of vacation rentals, hotels, and motels making it a good home base. Add in quintessential beach restaurants and shops, a nearby marina, and annual festivals, and Rockaway shapes up to be a fun family vacation destination.
Best for:
- Children
- Sandcastle building
- Kite flying
- Beachcombing
- Tide pooling
- Sunsets
- Beach bike – rentals
- Walking/jogging
- Access to restaurants and touristy services
Pro Tip: Be sure to check the events calendar before your day trip to Rockaway. Depending on your perspective, one of it’s many festivals could make or break your outing.
Parking?
There are over 20 access points to the beach. Some are official, with designated parking. It’s easy enough to drive along Hwy 101, but if you want to reconnoiter check out this list of beach access.
Restrooms?
Yes. There’s a restroom on 1st St. South.
Day use fee?
No
Pacific City – Cape Kiwanda
Cape Kiwanda is beach eye candy. Active surf action, fisherman launching dory’s, a rock sea stack, surfers, hang gliders and kite flyers all make this a beach that will keep your head bobbling on your neck.
Cape Kiwanda is in Pacific City – a small beach town south of Tillamook. The area is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route and a hidden gem for beach vacations. If beautiful scenery and the outdoors is your thing consider making Pacific City your home base on the coast.
Best for:
- Children
- Kite flying
- Beachcombing
- Tide pooling
- Sunsets
- Surfing
- Peace
- Access to restaurants and touristy services
Pro Tip: Beware of the crumbling sandstone cliffs. Stay away from the edge and keep a close eye on your children. This is no joke – in recent years people have died falling into the ocean. The fences are in place for a reason. Common sense will keep you out of trouble.
Parking?
Yes. On Cape Kiwanda Drive – look for the Pelican Pub or Inn of Cape Kiwanda. You’ll find a large public lot next door.
Restrooms?
Yes. In the public parking area.
Day use fee?
No
Neskowin Beach
Neskowin is a small beach village with a beautiful 3-mile stretch of beach.
When I was in high school my close friend’s grandma had a beautiful beach house, right on the point. We stayed there a few times a year. I don’t think we ever ran into another teenager, it was more of a retirement/golfing community.
There are plenty of lodging options from hotels, to vacation rentals and condos, to a gated RV park.
To the north of the beach is Nestucca Bay – the perfect place to kayak and canoe.
If you’re not renting a place on or near the beach, your best bet is to access the beach from the Neskowin State Recreation Area.
Best for:
- Children
- Sandcastle building
- Kite flying
- Beachcombing
- Tide pooling
- Sunsets
- Walking/Jogging
- Peace
- Access to restaurants and touristy services
Pro Tip: Check out the beach around Proposal Rock at low tide for tide-pooling and a good look at the Neskowin Ghost Forest. Sitka spruce tree stumps dot the beach – they’re estimated to be 2000 years old.
Parking?
Yes, at the Neskowin Beach State Park
Restrooms?
Yes, at Neskowin Beach State Park
Day use fee?
No
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