Everyone who visits the Oregon Coast has a favorite beach. For some it’s where they built sandcastles with generations of family. For others it’s where they spied an epic sunset on a cool day in February, or where they first encountered a sea star. Whatever the reason, we all have a special attraction to the Coast that keeps us coming back for more. Here are some of our favorite less-crowded beaches to keep that sense of tradition alive.
Just keep in mind: Wherever you go on the Oregon Coast, a good rule of thumb is to never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves and rip currents, fast-moving water channels that can carry even the strongest swimmers away from shore, can occur at any time — so keep an eye out for dangerous conditions whenever you are near the water. If you’re ever caught in a rip current, it’s important to stay calm and swim parallel to the shore to escape it, then swim back to land at an angle. Check out more tips for enjoying the Coast safely.
View Vibrant Ecosystems on Oregon’s North Coast
The North Coast sees its fair share of visitors, thanks to a slew of family attractions and easy access from the Portland area, but solitude nevertheless abounds — if you know where to look.
You don’t have to go far from Cannon Beach to find seclusion at Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site, just a 3-mile drive south of town. A small parking area with room for just 30 or so cars caps capacity at the quiet wayside — and those who make it in can picnic under Sitka spruce trees, admire Arcadia’s sandstone bluffs, inspect the area’s tide pools and even spy the iconic Haystack Rock to the north. Know that it’s illegal to park on Highway 101, so find a Plan B if there’s no parking when you arrive.
The secluded Manhattan Beach State Recreation Site can only be reached by leaving the busy Highway 101, following an access road through a tunnel of shore pine and taking a short walk to the beach from the site’s parking area. Those who seek out the site and reach the coast via a short footpath are rewarded with a few picnic tables and a small yet spacious section of sand.
Even though it’s just 4 miles north of Pacific City, the sleepy Sitka Sedge State Natural Area retains a quiet charm with tidal flats, marshlands, riparian forests, dunes and dramatic beach views that stretch from Haystack Rock in the south to Cape Lookout in the north. Note that construction on Sandlake Road is ongoing and is expected to continue until fall 2025. There will be occasional delays south of Sitka Sedge, so consider approaching from the north if your schedule and route permit.
Savor Sunsets and Solitude on the Central Coast
From the cities of Lincoln City and Newport to attractions like Cape Perpetua, the Central Coast is awash in family fun. Nestled between these lively outposts are hidden gems that show off dramatic sunsets, colorful agates and prime whale-watching opportunities. They’re all worth visiting whenever your schedule allows, but aim for a midweek trip to enjoy an extra dose of solitude.
The stretch of shoreline at Lost Creek State Recreation Site might only be 6 miles south of Newport, but with a small parking lot and just a few vault toilets, it feels farther than the drive might indicate. A gently sloping path leads past picnic tables and toward the shore, where visitors can watch the sunset, hunt for agates, or keep an eye out for migrating whales in winter and spring.
Just south of Waldport, Beachside State Recreation Site hosts picnic areas, nearly 75 campsites, two yurts and a stretch of beach that’s perfect for flying a kite, tossing a Frisbee or cozying up with a good book.
A small parking area prevents Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site from overcrowding, so you’ll have plenty of room to roam the pocket-size shoreline where Tenmile Creek drains into the Pacific Ocean. Tide pools enchant beachgoers of all ages, and agates are somewhat common after storms.
Relish Rocky Shores and Beach Strolls on the South Coast
The South Coast packs a lot of natural wonder into its famously craggy shoreline: towering forests, windswept sand dunes and otherworldly rock formations. Experience it all from these quiet beaches, where often you’ll only see a handful of visitors.
Just north of Gold Beach, Otter Point State Recreation Site has plenty going for it: several hiking and walking trails, views of photogenic sandstone rock formations and easy access to soft, sandy beaches. The one thing Otter Point doesn’t have? Crowds.
At the northern edge of Port Orford sits the secluded Paradise Point State Recreation Site, set a few miles west of busy Highway 101. A small parking area sits above a beautiful beach where visitors of all abilities can catch the nightly sunset from the overlook. Those wanting a closer look can head down to the beach and watch from one of several driftwood logs that have washed ashore, as long as it’s on dry sand that’s far from the water.
The shoreline at Arizona Beach State Recreation Site might only measure two-thirds of a mile, but the quiet park’s lack of crowds makes it an ideal home to a wide variety of wildlife. A pair of creeks flow through Arizona Beach, occasionally attracting elk and waterfowl. Sea stars, sea anemones and other marine species can be found in its rocky tide pools.
