Sand Dune — Climbed for the View, Run for the Fun
Haystack Rock — One of the Largest Sea Stacks on Earth
Dory Fleet — One of the Last Beach-Launched Fleets in N. America
From Portland via Hwy 18 through Wine Country
Our Top Pick — Best Light, Thinner Crowds
Oregon's Only Oceanfront Brewpub · Born Here 1996
July · Since 1959 · Not Sanitized for Tourists
Southern Terminus of Oregon's Best Scenic Loop
7 Deaths from Cliff Falls Since 2009 — Serious
Pacific City is the town. Cape Kiwanda is the natural area — the sandstone headland, the 240-foot dune, and the beach where dory boats have launched through the surf for over a century. Most visitors use the names interchangeably, and we won’t blame you for it. But here’s what matters: Cape Kiwanda is the reason you come. Pacific City is the reason you stay.
Tucked off Highway 101 where the Nestucca River meets the bay, this unincorporated coastal community has a character entirely its own. Surfers in wetsuits share the beach with flat-bottomed fishing boats. A 327-foot sea stack — one of the largest in the world, also called Haystack Rock but not the one in Cannon Beach — rises from the ocean like a monument. Oregon’s only oceanfront brewpub sits at the base of golden sandstone cliffs unlike anything else on the coast. If you’re driving the Oregon Coast road trip, this is the stop where you’ll want to cancel your next reservation and stay another day.
The signature experience. The climb is steep — calves burning, sand sliding, roughly 10–15 minutes of effort — but the views from the top are spectacular: Haystack Rock offshore, the Pacific to the horizon, the coastline curving north and south. Running back down takes about 30 seconds of controlled chaos and is half the fun.
At the top, a fenced walkway leads to the Cape Kiwanda Viewpoint, looking down into rocky coves and caves below the cape. Stay behind the fences.
The north side of Cape Kiwanda features golden-orange sandstone formations — eroding cliffs, sea caves, and sculpted rock unlike anything else on the Oregon Coast. The color and texture, especially in warm light, are extraordinary and uniquely photogenic.
At low tide, a natural arch tucked between the sandstone cliffs is reachable on the north side. Dramatic, photogenic, and usually uncrowded — because it requires tidal timing. Low tide only. Do not attempt during incoming or high tide — sneaker waves and blocked sightlines make this genuinely dangerous. Check tide charts before going.
For over a century, Pacific City’s fishing fleet has operated dory boats — flat-bottomed, open-hulled vessels launched and landed directly from the beach. There is no harbor, no boat ramp, no channel to navigate. The boats accelerate across the sand, hit the surf, and power through the breaking waves. Coming back in is even more dramatic — the boats approach at full speed, honking their horns to warn swimmers and surfers, and ride a wave straight onto the sand with a controlled crash that looks chaotic and is the product of generations of skill.
Pacific City’s Haystack Rock is a 327-foot sea stack — one of the largest in the world — rising from the ocean just offshore. It is NOT the same Haystack Rock as the one in Cannon Beach (that one is 235 feet). Pacific City’s is taller, more massive, and serves as the dramatic backdrop for every sunset photo taken from Cape Kiwanda beach.
The rock is especially photogenic at sunset, when it’s silhouetted against the sky and golden light hits the sandstone cliffs. On clear evenings, the color show can last 30–45 minutes. Beach bonfires are permitted — locals build fires, open beers, and watch the sun drop behind the rock. It’s the Pacific City ritual.
Pacific City — 327 feet. One of the largest sea stacks on earth. Backdrop for dory boats and sunsets.
Cannon Beach — 235 feet. National Wildlife Refuge. Famous for puffins and tide pools.
Both are stunning. Don’t mix them up when planning your itinerary.
Wide, flat sand backed by dunes and the Nestucca River estuary — feels more remote than its proximity to town suggests. Twin Creeks Beach & Trail Rides offers guided one- to two-hour horseback rides along the water. Birdwatching in the estuary is excellent for shorebirds and migratory waterfowl.
The Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects seven habitat types including tidal marsh and is home to endangered snowy plovers, peregrine falcons, and bald eagles. The Sitka Sedge State Natural Area has 3.5 miles of flat looping trails through one of Oregon’s last intact estuaries.
Cape Kiwanda has become one of the most sought-after photography destinations on the Oregon Coast. The golden sandstone formations photograph unlike anything else on the coast — warm tones that glow in low-angle light, set against the moody Pacific. September and October offer the best combination of warm light, clear skies, and manageable crowds.
Video captures this better than stills — boats at full speed, horn honking, spray flying, beaching through surf. Mid-morning through early afternoon. The Pacific City moment.
Climb the dune in late afternoon. Wide angle from the top; telephoto from the beach to compress the dune against Haystack Rock. 30–45 minutes of shifting color on good evenings.
Best in warm, low-angle light (early morning or late afternoon). The golden-orange tones glow in directional light. Detail shots of eroded textures are extraordinary.
North side, low tide only. Dramatic rock framing with ocean behind. Usually uncrowded because of the tidal timing required. One of the coast’s hidden gems.
Telephoto from the beach. Best with morning light and clean swell. The headland as backdrop gives context and drama that flat-beach surf photography can’t match.
Haystack Rock silhouetted, fire glow, twilight sky. The quintessential Pacific City moment. Blue hour after sunset extends the shooting window with beautiful ambient light.
The sandstone cliffs are arguably more dramatic in fog than sunshine. Don’t put the camera away when the weather turns — moody conditions produce images that stand out.
Cape Kiwanda’s sandstone cliffs and Bob Straub’s wide beaches are premier Oregon Coast wedding photography locations. Golden hour at the base of the cliffs is the classic setup. Weekday or September timing for fewer crowds.
Cape Kiwanda from above shows the headland, dune, beach, Haystack Rock, and Nestucca Bay in a single frame. Spectacular context shot that ground-level photography can’t achieve.
Pacific City is the southern terminus of the Three Capes Scenic Route — the 40-mile loop connecting Cape Meares, Cape Lookout, and Cape Kiwanda. Our Oregon Coast Road Trip guide calls this “the single best side trip on the entire coast.”
If you’re approaching from the north through Tillamook, the Three Capes route saves Cape Kiwanda for the finale — which is exactly the right sequence. End the day at the dune, watch the sunset behind Haystack Rock, and have a beer at Pelican. It’s the most satisfying ending to a scenic drive on the Oregon Coast.
2 hours from Portland via Highway 18 through McMinnville wine country (prettier, worth a wine stop) or via Highway 6 through Tillamook (faster, worth a creamery stop). 25 miles south of Tillamook, 30 minutes north of Lincoln City. Parking at Cape Kiwanda: $10 day-use lot. No beach driving since 2020 except for boat-launching. Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends.
See our Best Time to Visit Oregon guide for the full seasonal picture.
Summer weather lingers but crowds thin noticeably after Labor Day. The light is spectacular for photography. The dory fleet is still active. The Longboard Classic runs in August or September. The most satisfying single month at Pacific City.
The golden season. Warmest weather (65–75°F), longest days, best conditions for the dune climb and surfing. Dory Days in July is the signature event. The Cape Kiwanda Longboard Classic. Peak crowds and highest lodging prices — arrive before 10 AM or expect to wait for parking.
Fall reveals Pacific City’s quieter side. Storm-watching opportunities increase. Mushroom foraging in the surrounding forests. Dramatic wave action at Cape Kiwanda. Fewer visitors, lower lodging rates. Bob Straub is especially atmospheric in fall light.
Gray whale migration visible from the beach and Cape Kiwanda headland. Wildflowers on the headlands. Increasingly warm weather with still-manageable crowds. The Nestucca flows high — good for fishing and floating.
A half day covers the highlights: dune climb, watch dory boats, Pelican Brewing. A full day adds Bob Straub, tide pools, and the Nestucca River. Two days lets you explore the Three Capes Scenic Route, go fishing or surfing, and settle into the pace. Most visitors wish they’d planned more time.
Oregon Coast Guide →
Cannon Beach Guide →
Oregon Coast Road Trip →
McMinnville Guide →
Oregon Beaches Guide →
Oregon Tide Pools Guide →
Oregon Breweries Guide →
Oregon Fishing Guide →
Oregon Wildlife & Nature →
Oregon Food & Drink →
Oregon Lodging Guide →
Best Time to Visit Oregon →
Oregon With Kids Guide →
Oregon Camping Guide →
Plan Your Trip to Oregon →
363 miles of public coastline — the complete guide.
