Ambling Along the Route: Oregon Coast Road Trip – 10 Hidden Beaches You Shouldn’t Miss
Greetings Oregonians and explorers! Set your wanderlust ablaze as we traverse the scenic route of the Oregon Coast. So pack up your exploratory gear, leave your worries behind, lace up those hiking boots, and join the journey to unseal Oregon’s best-kept shoreline secrets: 10 hidden beaches that will make you fall in love with our incredible coastline all over again.
1. Short Sand Beach (Smuggler’s Cove)
Tucked beneath the luscious greens of Oswald West State Park, Short Sand Beach is an enchanting getaway from the summer crowds. Wander along the 0.6-mile trail, delighting in the transient presence of a waterfall, up until you encounter the secluded cove. Considered a surfer’s sanctuary, it’s a great place to catch waves or simply relish in the stunning environment, providing a harmonious communion with nature itself.2. Seal Rock State Recreation Site
Seal Rock boasts an unsung beach worth a visit. Protruding rocks captivate the eye, ideal for photography and plein air painting. At low tide, fascinating marine life is unveiled in various tide pools. North of the main viewing area, take the trail that winds under Highway 101, leading you directly to the beach.
3. Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area
Divert off Highway 101 to find the lesser-traveled Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area. This is where the creek and ocean meet, creating interesting rock formations and ample bird-watching opportunities. Don’t miss the driftwood scattered around – it tells tales of sea storms and travelers.4. Cape Blanco State Park
Venture to Oregon’s westernmost tip, Cape Blanco, the home of the state’s oldest operating lighthouse. The six-mile beach below often goes unnoticed but offers a serene, rarely disturbed shoreline with views of offshore rock formations. Remember to dress warm, as winds can get quite chilly.5. Pacific City Beach
At Pacific City, the beach hidden behind Bob Straub State Park often goes unexplored. Often overshadowed by Cape Kiwanda, this quiet beach presents leisurely walks, kite flying and sandcastle building, allowing you to create beach memories minus the hustle and bustle.6. Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site
Just around the corner from the popular Three Arch Rocks lies the secluded Oceanside Beach. Accessible via a tunnel through Maxwell Mountain, this beach offers tranquility, sandy walks, and tide pools. Look for headland views and abundant wildlife, but do mind the tide times for safe passage.7. Hug Point State Recreation Site
A low-tide beauty nestled just south of Cannon Beach, Hug Point possesses its own magic with hidden caves, waterfall, and an old stagecoach road. A word of caution – be sure to keep track of the tide, as it can alter the accessibility of certain features.8. Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site
In between the better-known Hug Point and Cannon Beach, Arcadia Beach often misses the limelight – which is precisely why it’s worth visiting. Here the uncrowded, sandy shores paired with dramatic rocky backdrops whisper serenity. It’s also a perfect picnicking location blessed with entrancing sunsets.9. Battle Rock Park Beach
Named after a historic battle, this small beach at the base of Battle Rock presents a charming seascape in Port Orford. Once you’ve climbed and conquered the rock, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the coastline and the chance to spot migrating whales.10. Ona Beach State Park
This tucked-away gem in Waldport’s backyard, Ona Beach, offers a peaceful ambiance, where Beaver Creek meets the tide. It’s a quiet spot perfect for shelling, picnicking, and wildlife-viewing. And when the evening paints the sky in shades of dusk, the sight is simply mesmerizing.Exploring these hidden beaches within Oregon’s treasured coastline truly solidifies the bond locals possess with our ethereal state. So let’s cherish these intimate moments of discovery and keep these treasures safe for the next road-trippers who seek Oregon’s soothing coastal embrace. Here’s to the coastal journey only seen through the eyes of true Oregonians. Safe travels, friends!