The Best Oregon Beaches Within 3 Hours of Portland
The iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, known in part for its appearance in The Goonies.
There’s nothing like a day at the beach. And we’re lucky in Oregon: Our entirely public coast brims with spectacular beaches. Sure, the water is frigid, and sometimes the wind wants to send your picnic flying, but they’re rarely crowded, the waves and rocks are dramatic, and have we mentioned the whales? Here are nine of our favorites, in order of proximity to Portland.
Indian Beach
90 min
This small, secluded stretch of sand with outstanding views is a less-busy alternative to its famous neighbor, Crescent Beach, where Goonies fans flock to seek “the rich stuff.” Located just north of Cannon Beach, Indian Beach can be reached in two ways. The quickest access is from the Indian Beach day-use area, but we recommend parking in the main lot at Ecola State Park. The 4.7-mile round-trip hike rewards with astonishing views of the ocean and craggy sea stacks, including the one that holds Tillamook Lighthouse. Once on the beach, the soft break of waves makes this an ideal place to put in a sea kayak or try out surfing.
Great for: Smaller Crowds, hiking, tide pooling, bird-watching, treasure hunting, Paddling
1 hr 45 min
Fans of agates and sea caves should seek out this pair of recreation sites south of Cannon Beach. Just 1.2 miles apart on Highway 101, both sites have dedicated turnoffs and parking lots. Highlights include the small but scenic Hug Point Falls, caves gouged into sandstone cliffs, and views of Haystack Rock and Ecola Point. The area is usually lightly trafficked, so you won’t have to fight crowds to enjoy some peaceful tide pooling or exploring by foot. Take care to watch the tide here; the coast guard has had to airlift numerous hikers who’ve been stranded on the far side of Hug Point due to rising water.
great for: rockhounding, tide pooling, exploring, picnicking
Wet suits are encouraged for those hanging ten at Short Sand (or really anywhere else on the Oregon Coast).
Short Sand Beach
1 hr 45 min
This wind-protected cove is an all-time favorite among surfers, bodyboarders, and swimmers (wet suits encouraged). Tucked off Smuggler Cove—the tiny bay between Cape Falcon and Neahkahnie Mountain—Short Sand is reached via a brief, heavily forested hike from Oswald West State Park‘s main parking lot. If you want to work up a bit of a sweat before taking a dip, add on the moderate five-mile round-trip hike to Cape Falcon. The breathtaking Pacific views from the top make it a worthy climb.
Great for: surfing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, Whale watching
1 hr 45 min
With its unobstructed views, this beach just south of Warrenton is a tip-top spot to sit and watch the sun go down. It’s also one of the few places in Oregon where you’re allowed to drive on the beach, so savor a sunset picnic from the top of your car. And consider making a trip of it by lingering in Gearhart. Whack some tiny balls at Gearhart Golf Links, which is among the oldest golf courses west of the Mississippi, and then enjoy a hearty meal and a night’s stay at Gearhart Hotel, one of the coolest McMenamins.
Great for: sunset watching, bonfires, seclusion
Tunnel Beach/Lost Boy Beach
1 hr 45 min
Secluded and teeming with tide pool life, these two beaches are accessible only at unusually low tides. In other words: Avoid a dangerous situation by checking the tide chart before attempting a visit. Access is via a man-made tunnel in the rock wall at the north end of Oceanside State Recreation Site. From here, you’ll pop out onto Tunnel Beach, which is small but well-shielded from harsh weather, making it a nice place for tide pooling. The islands just offshore comprise Three Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, where you might spot tufted puffins, common murres, and sea lions. Reaching Lost Boy Beach is a bit trickier, requiring some rock scramble and splashing through seawater-filled pools. If you don’t plan to get wet, stay put at Tunnel Beach.
Great for: scrambling, tide pooling, rockhounding, seclusion
DeLaura Beach
2 hr
On an early morning in 1906, an English sailing vessel bound for Portland ran aground on Clatsop Spit, where its rusted skeleton sits to this day. The iconic shipwreck, better known as the Wreck of the Peter Iredale, now lures tourists to Fort Stevens State Park to view the 119-year-old landmark, which is one of the most accessible shipwrecks in the Graveyard of the Pacific. The wreck happens to sit a couple miles north up DeLaura Beach, a stunning sandy stretch frequented by not just walkers, but truck-bound explorers. If you’re on foot, be prepared to make a short trek down the dunes to access the beach, or, for even more seclusion, hike the DeLaura Dune Trail, where you may spot deer and sea birds among the shore pines. Those visiting DeLaura for the history can tack on a visit to the park’s historic military sites.
Great for: Photo ops, exploring, wildlife viewing, history buffs
2 hr
Cape Kiwanda is a hulking (and crumbling) promontory between expanses of flat, sandy beach. Take a dune hike for big views of a towering sea stack—327 feet high and a mile offshore—as well as a chance to watch dory boats as they launch from the beach. In nearby Pacific City, grab a beer on Pelican Brewing’s patio. The quaint town is also a hub for Oregon’s surfing community. Moment Surf Company has equipment rentals as well as an adjacent café that serves a stellar breakfast burrito, ideal fuel before hitting the chilly waves. Want to stay the night? Lodging options range from campgrounds and RV parks to the swanky Headlands Coastal Lodge and Spa.
Great for: Surfing, hiking, drinking, bonfires, sunset watching, ADA ACCESS
2 hr 30 min
Six miles south of Lincoln City’s busy stretches of sand sits this low-traffic beach in the bedroom community of Gleneden. It’s visited mostly by guests at Salishan Coastal Lodge and those who own homes along the sandstone bluff overlooking the beach. Easiest access is from the parking lot at Gleneden Beach State Recreation Site, though there are a few unofficial parking areas nearby (such as a gravel strip at the end of Wallace Street, near Schoolhouse Creek, where you can also hunt for agate and jasper). No trip to Gleneden is complete without a stop at the Crystal Wizard, a zany little gift store that will meet all your metaphysical shopping needs. For food and drink, Pelican Brewing’s Siletz Bay location is three miles south, offering suds and bay-front views from nifty Adirondack gliders.
Great for: Families with small kids, picnicking, Surfing, shopping, golfing
Fogarty Creek Beach
2 hrs 30 min
Where Fogarty Creek meets the Pacific is a sweet spot for nature lovers and families, located fully inside Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area. Small kids can splash in the lazy creek, beachcombers can search for shells and gemstones, and birders and tide poolers will find plenty of action. The beach’s location between Depoe Bay and Lincoln City means plenty of options for food and lodging. We suggest Lincoln City’s Otis Cafe for its giant breakfast portions served all day.
Great for: Tide pooling, bird-watching, families with small kids, picnicking
Otter Crest Beach
2 hrs 45 min
Just north of crowded Devils Punchbowl, Otter Crest is modest but mighty. The beach itself, about the length of four football fields, invites you to stay and observe shifting tides, which reveal pools full of marine animals and plants. Access the beach by parking at Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area and walking north on C Avenue, then cutting toward the beach using a pathway to the left. Note that rocks near these pools are slippery, so be careful not to slip and disturb the creatures dwelling within. You can head south to the punchbowl, which is wondrous at low tide, but make sure you leave the moment the water starts coming back in.
Great for: exploring, rock hounding, tide pooling
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