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    Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site

    4.7 (19 reviews)

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    One of my all-time favorite pictures, taken on film (probably in the 1980s), and scanned.
    John K.

    The entire Oregon Coast is a delight, but Arcadia Beach is my favorite spot. Nothing touristy to be found here - just a gravel parking lot and access to a spectacular stretch of beach. At the north end, rock outcroppings make their way to the waterline, and to the south, just sand and waves. A relative lack of other people just adds to the appeal of this beach. Note: for people who have not visited the coast, please be sure to NEVER turn your back on the waves... the ocean can appear calm at times, and raging at others (both beautiful to behold), but sneaker waves can come visiting at any time. Also, keep an eye on the tides if you are exploring on or near the rock faces at the north end of the beach - your route back to the parking lot may disappear under the surf.

    Pamela G.

    To say this is a gorgeous beach is an understatement. This is one of those beaches that is always beautiful no matter the time of the year or weather. It has moods. I've been there many, many times as it's just south of Tolovana/ Cannon Beach, a place that I also love. I've seen many of its moods. Sun and 75, wind and rain, fog like split pea soup when the haystacks are like ghost ships that are barely glimpsed and days like today when fog hangs back down the coast and bright light streams through the cloud layer above. This is the kind of beach that is perfect for building a fire on a chilly day and hanging out all day long. It's breathtaking. Then of course there are the tide pools, sea stacks and little grottos. During high tide its like a turbulent, gorgeous, wave pounding water orchestra and during low tide it's a child's playground with tide pools and sea stacks to explore. I'd say the beach is pretty much pristine. You won't find trash on it like in Seaside or huge crowds like in Cannon Beach. It's pretty easily accessible, I have a torn Achilles' tendon and wear a boot and I made down the trail and over the rocks just fine, (it was a challenge actually) though I can imagine it would be difficult for those with bigger mobility issues than myself. I could go on and on about Arcadia, it's my favorite beach in Oregon.

    Cigarette litterer
    Vlad G.

    Gorgeous little strip of beach, but please make sure you respect nature and keep it pristine, unlike the slob pictured who littered his cigarette in the bush!

    Beachy paradise
    Martina C.

    We came here totally out of convenience. We initially aimed for Hug Pointe but the parking was insane and it was over crowded. We grabbed a spot easily here and headed our group out to the beach. There was plenty of space, loads of room to socially distance and lots of open space for our pup to run. The kids played in the sand and water and we ran the beach and played with our dog and all of the other families were great too. We had so much fun and it was GORGEOUS. Definitely recommend and we will definitely be back. We loved that our dog could be off leash there and have loads of room. We ALL had loads of room.

    No rain day in February.
    Sally M.

    No frills beach right off the 101, just follow the signs. Decent size parking lot with a short walk to beach access. The walk isn't difficult, but people with mobility issues may find it so since some parts are rocky, there are stairs, and downward slope. I chose to carry my little one. Beautiful rocks jutting out of the water. Not crowded at all. Nice pieces of driftwood to admire. The day I went in February there was a loud noise blaring out that put a bit of a damper on the tranquility. I'm not sure what it was, maybe speakers from the houses that are located right above? I personally prefer Hug Point just a few miles south (I like the caves there), but beach access appeared to be closed due to winter storm damage.

    Amazing sunset on 6/20/17
    Fen F.

    This is our go-to place to watch sunsets during our annual trip to Cannon Beach. It's only a skip and a hop from the parking area to the beach. It's usually not too crowded so it's an ideal spot for you to appreciate and harmonize with the incredible beauty of Mother Nature.

    Carrie H.

    Wow. My mom calls this her favorite place to be, second to Hawaii. It is soooooo pretty here. There is a large rockface that blocks the wind, so you can actually enjoy yourself without having your hair flap in your face. Just do yourself a favor - next time you're near here, stop in. You'll be glad you did.

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    9 years ago

    My favorite beach ever. Was there on a Foggy day and my husband and I frolicked.

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    Ask the Community - Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site

    Review Highlights - Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site

    You won't find trash on it like in Seaside or huge crowds like in Cannon Beach.

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    Ecola State Park

    Ecola State Park

    4.8
    (197 reviews)
    4.5 mi

    Home is where the heart is. This area was my stomping…read more grounds for many moons! I use to go to Ecola state park, regularly growing up. Go on hikes,look for rocks shells,surf, get lost in nature, just sit in the grass and watch the ocean. Here is what you can do at Ecola State Park: Hiking & Walking: Explore trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes through Sitka spruce forests. The Clatsop Loop Trail follows the path of1806 explorers, while the Oregon Coast Trail offers longer, scenic treks. Indian Beach: A popular, secluded cove for surfing, sunbathing, and tide-pooling to see sea stars and anemones. Viewpoints: Take in spectacular vistas from Ecola Point, including views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse ("Terrible Tilly") and distant Haystack Rock. Wildlife Viewing: The park is known for herds of elk grazing in the meadows, as well as sightings of bald eagles and migrating gray whales. Picnicking: Enjoy lunch at the picnic areas located on the grassy bluffs with ocean views. Photography: The dramatic, moody coastline provides excellent opportunities for photography. Oregon State

    Forgive me for this late review. I should have written it long ago, but perhaps the trees and the…read moreocean were patient enough to wait. The drive through the forest is a passage into another world. Sitka spruce and hemlock lean over the road as if they are curious about you. At the end of the road the land opens and the Pacific announces itself in vast gray blues and greens, broken by sea stacks that rise like stubborn monuments. The trails are generous. Some wander to secret beaches, others climb to high points where the ocean and horizon meet like two old friends. Indian Beach is a gathering of tide pools, surfers, and quiet sand. Crescent Beach feels private, almost hidden, with the company of seals if you are lucky. Wildlife belongs here as much as people. Elk graze, eagles soar, and sometimes whales turn the water into theater. The park offers all of this without asking much in return, except that you take your time. Bring layers because the wind and mist move through the park like they own the place. Take your time. Sit, watch, breathe. This park gives you a rare combination of accessibility, natural beauty, and serenity. I regret not praising this place sooner. Ecola State Park holds the kind of beauty that makes you feel both small and fortunate. Five stars, without hesitation.

    Photos
    Wilson's Warbler ready for takeoff!
    Wilson's Warbler ready for takeoff!
    This is either an immature Pine Siskin or immature female House Finch. Based on the beak, I'm leaning towards Siskin
    This is either an immature Pine Siskin or immature female House Finch. Based on the beak, I'm leaning towards Siskin
    Adorable Wilson's Warbler - they were everywhere here!! One of my absolute faves!

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    Adorable Wilson's Warbler - they were everywhere here!! One of my absolute faves!
    Haystack Rock

    Haystack Rock

    4.8
    (249 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Haystack Rock is spectacular and something you'd see on National Geographic. I couldn't believe…read morehow easily accessible it was from Canon Beach. There are tons of access points to the beach, but the easiest is to park in the parking lot and walk across the street, past the public bathrooms and homes, and you're immediately in front of Haystack Rock. The rock is impressive, jutting out of sea of crashing waves, dotted with greenery. The best part was watching all the pufffins flying round and round. At low tide, you can get pretty close up to bird watch or take photos. The puffins come to nest here in spring, and we saw a tons of them at the end of May. The history is just as interesting. The rock was created by ancient lava flow. People used to climb the rock back in the day and get stranded when high tide came in, requiring many rescues. To prevent this, they dynamited the bottom, creating the monolith shape we see today. The rock is now a protected marine garden and wildlife refuge. It was even featured in The Goonies movie. The beach stretches for miles, so you can also continue on for a nice walk. They were also dog friendly. We saw several remnants of fire pits, so guessing they are ok.

    The "Goonies Rock" is no where near Astoria like the movie makes it out to be. No matter what, it…read moreis absolutely worth the drive. Parking is non-existent because you have to walk down a pathway between two houses to get to there, I mean of course there are probably areas North or South of the actual rock but I am not aware of them myself. We were lucky and able to find a spot directly across the pathway that just happened to have someone pulling out. Walking down that pathway, I took a video and love how it shows the beauty of the area just opening up. It was more than I could have wished for after growing up loving the movie Goonies and was delighted that we got there when we did. Tide was out, so the dreamy tide pools that you see associated with the northwest coastlines were accessible and all the wonderful wildlife that live within them. Also, we were able to watch the sunset, which was cloud covered but who cares. While walking around, it first started with just rolling up my pants, so then having a misstep and one of my shoes getting soaked so then I was like, oh well, off with the shoes and walk around freely to be able to go rock to rock or wade around to get to the numerous tidepools. All worth the super cold feet later on in the car. There is just something about seeing everything in the wild vs in various zoos or aquariums. It was by far my favorite part of our trip to Portland and something I'd love to revisit again, regardless of the distance and drive back.

    Photos
    Sunset
    Sunset
    Beach
    Beach
    Beach

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    Beach
    Cannon Beach

    Cannon Beach

    4.7
    (287 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Cannon Beach is one of those magical coastal towns that feels like stepping into a postcard. Yeah…read moreit looks exactly like the postcard. From the moment I arrived, I knew this was the spot to have bonfires. The beach itself is wide and inviting, and Haystack Rock towers out of the ocean just off the shore, a stunning icon that draws everyone's eye. But it's not just the shoreline that makes Cannon Beach special. You can walk along the neighborhoods and enjoy the cute little shops. Downtown is small but charming. I loved walking through the artsy streets filled with galleries, specialty shops, and cozy cafés. I was able to slow down away from city life, shop for a handmade memento, and sit with a latte watching the waves. On a breezy afternoon, I saw people flying their kites and took advantage of the open beach breeze, so fun to watch. If you want a beautifully scenic beach getaway that's both peaceful and inspiring, Cannon Beach is absolutely worth a stop.

    With being the location for the popular Haystack Rock, you'd think this beach would be so crowded,…read morebut it is pleasantly not. On top of that, Canon Beach is so easily accessible. There are tons of access points to the beach, but the easiest is to park in the Haystack Public Parking lot and walk across the street, past the public bathrooms and homes, and you're immediately in front of Haystack Rock. Besides Haystack Rock, Canon Beach itself was kinda boring to me though. The long stretch was rockless and smooth, just sand and ocean horizon. My preference is to see more boulders and rocks to keep things interesting. This beach is excellent for runners, though, because of the smooth sand and long stretch. There were a lot of people clustered around Haystack Rock, but less dense further on. If you're looking for seashells, there are none. The sand is super smooth all the way. It is a nice beach but not too many people hang out here, which is great if you're local. For the most part, we saw people come to see the Rock and then leave.

    Photos
    Beautiful town,my hometown!
    Beautiful town,my hometown!
    Sunset 6/18/23
    Sunset 6/18/23
    Cannon Beach

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    Short Sands Beach

    Short Sands Beach

    4.9
    (25 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    A short hike from the parking lot trailhead leads you to this beach. I was surprised since there…read morewas a restroom with plumbing right next to the beach, in addition to the one at the trailhead. I guess it gets very busy during the summer. The trail is well marked and well maintained, with only one or two muddy areas which are easily navigated to avoid getting wet. I wasn't able to get close to Blumenthal Falls on the north end of Short Sand Beach due to the tide and waves, but I could see it from the end of the trail on the beach. It's on of the very few waterfalls in the PNW that cascades into the Pacific Ocean. Very pretty! The beach itself is very picturesque as it's located in a cove surrounded by mountains. Several benches are present to let you take it all in.

    We always drive right by, as most of the year parking is impossible. Luckily we decided to pull off…read morelast weekend, so glad! Varied winding trails from the parking lot through gorgeous trees. The trails go off in different directions with decent signage along the way. Let's be real, the Oregon coastline is gorgeous no matter where you decide to stop off, and Short Sand is no different. Two creeks emerge from the trees flowing onto the sands and into what feels like a huge "cove" with great waves (at least this day) and a lovely beach. Beautiful spot! I can see why it's so busy during most of the year, but it's sooo peaceful right now during the winter!

    Photos
    The view
    The view
    The trail
    The trail
    Short Sand Beach

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    Short Sand Beach

    Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site - parks - Updated June 2026

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