A scenic view of a beach at sunset. The sun is low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the calm ocean. The shoreline has gentle waves and a large rock near the water's edge. Trees and a few buildings are visible on a hill to the left.

EXPLORE THE AREA

Scenic byways, beach towns, outdoor activities, and wildlife

Explore the coast

The north Oregon Coast is loaded with things to see and do. Drive or hike along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, or wander through the charming beach towns like Arch Cape, Manzanita and Cannon Beach, each with wonderful shops, galleries, restaurants and pubs. Dozens of State Parks and Recreation Sites, hiking trails, golf courses and beaches dot the northern coast.

Enjoy the abundant outdoor activities along the coast. Beachcombing, birdwatching and whale watching are beginner-friendly and available steps from the Inn and further along the coast. In season, you might even spot Tufted Puffins nesting on Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Cape Lookout Trail and Ecola State Park have excellent vistas of the whale pods in season and on clear days.

For the fisherpeople, crabbing, surfperch, and razor clamming are all viable ways to catch your dinner during a stay in Arch Cape. Crabbing is said to be the best at Gearhart’s “Little Beach” and off the 12th Ave. bridge in Seaside. Surfperch can be caught right off the beach in Arch Cape and the 18-mile stretch of Clatsop County beaches accounts for 95% of Oregon’s razor clam harvest. These large surf clams are considered a delicacy at fine restaurants. Check with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife for temporary closures, fishing licenses, and daily limits.

NORTH OREGON COAST

NEARBY BEACH COMMUNITIES ON THE OREGON COAST

Arch Cape, Oregon

Arch Cape, named for the natural basalt rock arches found in the area, is a small residential community nestled between Hug Point State Recreation Site to the north and Oswald West State Park to the south.

People seeking the solitude of the Oregon Coast, and the splendor of the beaches have flocked to this small town for generations. It’s also a haven for storm watchers, who love the relentless forces of nature.

Approximately 225 people live year-round in Arch Cape, which is just five miles south of Cannon Beach. At low tide, our stony beaches give way to soft sand, which offers miles and miles of walking, beachcombing, and exploring.

Beach access is just one-block west (350 feet, to be exact!) from the Inn at Arch Cape: Walk left from the Inn along the rustic residential Ocean Lane and follow the sign directing visitors to the beach. Three small, local creeks — Arch Cape Creek, Short Sands Creek, and Necarney Creek — flow from the coastal range to the sea, where pounding ocean waves break on the monolithic rock formations.

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A silhouette of a bird flying and another standing on a jagged rock against a backdrop of a sunset-lit ocean. The sky is orange with patches of clouds, and waves are crashing against the base of the rock.
A photo of a large natural rock formation with an arch-shaped hole near its base, set against a clear blue sky. The arch allows a view of the distant landscape. The foreground includes a few rocks and pebbles.
Two people sit on a wooden log at a beach, watching the sunset over the ocean. In the background, a small rocky island is visible in the distance. A few other people are seen near the water's edge, and the scene is framed by sand and scattered greenery.

Just 5 minutes north of Arch Cape

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Charming Cannon Beach is less than 10 minutes north of the Inn at Arch Cape. The best-known beach community on the North Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach is internationally recognized for its artist community, restaurants, and the amazing Haystack Rock. Located 80 miles west of Portland and 25 miles south of Astoria, Cannon Beach is surrounded by the rugged natural beauty of forests, ocean beaches, and rivers.

Only four miles in length, and with a year-round population of approximately 1,700 people, Cannon Beach is a popular and picturesque resort area. Cannon Beach was named after an 1846 incident when the Shark, a US Navy schooner, wrecked while trying to leave the Columbia River. A piece of the ship’s deck washed ashore near Haystack Rock with its cannon still attached.

The Pacific strand running along Cannon Beach’s 3 1/2 miles is a luminous stage, framed on the north end by the “Bird Rocks” and to the south by the monoliths of Silver Point. A walk along the beach is always a visual treat, with its vistas of ocean, mountains and rugged coastal outcroppings.

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A coastal landscape features green fields in the foreground, rocky formations in the ocean, and a pristine blue sky with minimal clouds. The ocean waves crash gently against the shore, and distant mountains rise under the clear sky.

Just 10 minutes south of Arch Cape

Manzanita, Oregon

This small and charming village was platted in 1912. Today the year-round population is just under 700 residents. The center of the commercial district is four blocks from the ocean on the road that runs from the beach to Highway 101 at mile 43 (43 miles from Astoria, OR). The word “Manzanita” means “little apple” in Spanish, and the town is named for the trees and bushes that grown in the area.

Manzanita lies at the foot of a 1,631-foot-high Neah-kah-nie Mountain. According to native legend, buried treasure lies somewhere on the mountain. The bounty is believed to be from a Spanish galleon that wrecked on the beach over a century ago. That tale, along with ancient rock carvings on the beach, has lured treasure hunters who are still searching for the elusive lost treasure today.

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A rocky beach with smooth, round stones is shown under an overcast sky. Driftwood is scattered along the shoreline. A forested cliff rises along the left side of the beach, with the sun partially hidden by clouds above. The water is calm, with a soft, misty appearance.
A wooden fence encloses a picnic area with a table and bench on a grassy cliff overlooking a beach and the ocean. The sky is overcast, and the waves are approaching the shore, with rocky cliffs visible to the right.

EVEN MORE OUTDOORSY FUN