This Small U.S. Town Has a 240-foot Sand Dune You Can Climb

The Pacific Coast Highway, or Highway 101, runs through plenty of charming coastal towns in Oregon. But if you’re looking for magnificent views, a relaxed vibe, and an array of accommodations, from luxury oceanfront rooms to glamping, Pacific City is worth the three-mile detour off the highway. 

“Pacific City is a small coastal town with a lot of heart,” says Alanna Kieffer, marine biologist, Oregon Coast guide, and owner of Shifting Tides. “It requires an extra scenic route to find yourself in this precious town. It has a neat history of dory boat fishing, where boats are launched straight from the beach, and it’s a surfer’s paradise, with a surf shop and pub right off the main beach parking lot.”

Whether you’re looking for a day of adventure or would rather curl up with a good book and a seaside view, Pacific City is an excellent choice. Read on for where to stay and eat, along with activities to choose from, when visiting this small Oregon Coast town.

Best Places to Stay

Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa

This 33-room hotel (plus its 18 cottages) easily has one of the best views along the Oregon Coast. Each oceanfront room features a balcony looking out toward a towering haystack rock in the sea, plus gas fireplaces, pillow-top mattresses, and cast-iron soaking tubs. While on site, utilize the hot tub with an ocean view, book a treatment at the spa, or make plans with the adventure team to maximize your visit. Go crabbing, clamming, hiking, or mushroom foraging with a guide, head out for a fat-tire bike ride, or enjoy a beach bonfire, already set up for you, for the coziest way to end a day on the coast.

Inn at Cape Kiwanda

Quick beach access and water views can be found at the Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Each room embraces a modern coastal aesthetic, with vibrant hues of yellow and blue, in addition to offering a gas fireplace and outside entry. During your stay, visit the nearby indoor pool, borrow an e-bike to explore town, or grab a freshly baked cookie in the lobby on your way out for a hike.

Hart’s Camp

Hart’s Camp has cozy Airstream trailers, each with an outdoor fire pit and s’mores kit plus a private outdoor shower with a live garden wall. Camping cabins and cottages are options here as well. Chat with other travelers at the community fire pit, play a round of golf at the putting course, or challenge friends or family members to a cornhole tournament. Complimentary beach wheelchair rentals are available through Hart’s Camp for any Pacific City visitor.

Best Things to Do

Climb the Cape Kiwanda Sand Dune.

Kieffer says exploring the cape is a necessity while visiting, and making your way to the top is a bit of a Pacific City rite of passage. The Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is a sandstone headland carved by ocean waves, making for unique coloring, shapes, and textures. On the north end of the beach, you can climb up the 240-foot sand dune for sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the sandstone outcroppings, and Pacific City’s beachfront. You can also spot fishing boats, surfers, and the occasional whale from this vantage point. Because of the fragile nature of the sandstone, it’s crucial to stay on established paths away from rugged cliff edges.

Go tide pooling.

Beach access is easy in Pacific City, and there are carved crevices to explore beneath the southern side of Cape Kiwanda. “Visit Pacific City during low tide and explore the tide pools at Cape Kiwanda, a protected marine garden full of biodiversity,” says Kieffer. The base of the cape will offer views of sea stars, anemones, barnacles, and more. Checking local tide charts will tell you the best time to visit this area.

Have a beach fire. 

A fire on the beach is a unique Oregon Coast experience. It’s legal to enjoy a fire on open sand—just be sure to keep it small and away from vegetation. At Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa, they’ll set it up for you, with chairs, blankets, and ingredients for s’mores. If you’re staying elsewhere, you can also get materials to build your own fire at Cape Kiwanda Marketplace across from the beach parking lot.

Watch the dory boats and buy seafood.

There’s an extensive history of dory boat fishing in Pacific City, dating back to the early 1900s. Hundreds of dory boats are launched directly from the beach into the surf, most often in the morning. They head out to catch Dungeness crab, albacore tuna, and Chinook and coho salmon. “Take a moment to watch and appreciate these fishing fleets and the effort they put into bringing seafood to your table,” says Kieffer. Grab a coffee and find a seat on a driftwood log to watch the action. Kieffer also suggests visiting West Fish Co. to purchase and learn about fresh fish directly from dory boat fishermen, especially if you have access to a kitchen.

Visit Bob Straub State Park.

Bob Straub State Park offers a serene experience with plenty of parking for beach access. The terrain is unique in this area, with multiple hiking options, whether you want to wander the longer marsh trail among mossy trees and wetlands or head straight up along sand dunes with lots of dune grass and ocean views. If you follow the spit all the way out, you’ll gain views of where the Nestucca River and bay meet the sea. This is also a popular spot for leisurely horseback rides on the beach, which can be booked through Twin Creeks Beach and Trail Rides.

Best Restaurants

Pelican Brewing Company

Ben Jacobsen, owner of nearby Jacobsen Salt Co., says Pelican Brewing Company is a must-visit in Pacific City. The company started here in 1996, just steps from the beach. Settle in at a booth inside or opt for a table outside—either way, you’ll have a beachfront dining experience. Enjoy a pint or sample through a flight of Pelican’s craft beers. Pair it with local steamer clams or Dungeness crab mac and cheese, or snack on Tillamook cheese curds while watching surfers in the water. Not interested in dining in? This is a great spot to grab a burger and beer to go for a picnic on the beach.

Dew 

If you’re in town on Friday or Saturday night, Jacobsen says to check out Dew, located in an unsuspecting building along the Nestucca River. Inside, you’ll find a warm minimalist space decked out with Douglas fir countertops and hemlock trim paired with a wood-burning statement oven. The 14-seat fine-dining concept delivers a seasonally focused omakase menu focused on coastal provisions and fresh fish.

Meridian Restaurant & Bar

Located inside Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa, Meridian offers a warm, modern coastal vibe. “Head to Meridian for an elevated meal of local seafood and produce, all with a view of the Pacific Ocean from your table,” says Kieffer. Large picture windows open up to let the ocean breeze in while you dine on Northwest-dedicated dishes such as Pacific salmon and lingcod puttanesca.

Stimulus Coffee + Bakery

Located right across from the beach parking lot, this vibrant coffee shop is decked out in coastal tones and plenty of turquoise. Order a latte or cappuccino and pair it with a housemade jalapeno cheddar bagel with cream cheese or a bacon and egg sandwich on fresh focaccia. For something sweet, the signature Beach Bun is a can’t-miss, with layers of buttery cardamom pastry finished with Oregon hazelnuts and lemon zest salt from Jacobsen Salt Co.

Sportsman’s Pub-N-Grub

For casual fare, Jacobsen recommends tucking into this pub. “It’s a great dive bar for a beer, a burger, and tater tots,” he says. Grab a beer or cider on tap, play a round of pool, and order fish and chips featuring Pacific City dory boat-caught lingcod.

Best Time To Visit

Summer is the busiest time to visit the Oregon Coast, but both Kieffer and Jacobsen agree other seasons steal the show. “Of course, the summer seems the most ideal time to visit the beaches in Oregon, but honestly, a winter storm or king tides watch in the winter is a sight to see,” says Kieffer, noting it’s crucial to look from a safe vantage point instead of the beach. “This is also the time of year crab boats are out on the water, and they shine like holiday lights on the horizon.” 

Kieffer also says spring is a great time to visit, when the sun is just beginning to shine and the sunsets are phenomenal. Jacobsen, meanwhile, loves the mixture of sunny days and cool nights in the fall. “September, October, and even November can be quite nice,” he says.

How to Get There

If you’re driving north on Highway 101, Pacific City is easy to access right off the highway. From the Portland International Airport (PDX), it’s just over a two-hour drive. The easiest way to reach Pacific City is by renting a car or driving your own and heading west on Highway 6 through the lush Tillamook State Forest. For a car-free option, the NW Connector runs from Portland to Tillamook, where you can then take a connecting bus down to Pacific City.

How to Get Around

If you’re staying near the beach, many things in Pacific City are walkable, including grabbing coffee at Stimulus or dining at Pelican Brewing Company. There is also a free shuttle that operates on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer months, with stops at shops, restaurants, and lodging throughout town.