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With 361 miles of coastline, Oregon has no shortage of beaches. The scenery can vary widely, from long, uninterrupted swaths of sand to short, secret coves. Some are backed by rocky cliffs, others with slopes blanketed in Sitka spruce and western hemlock. Some are sandy, some are pebbly, and some can be quite muddy. Many are backed by grass-covered dunes which can roll on for miles, while others are backed by coastal towns and hamlets. And all are quintessentially Oregon.
So where to visit? For me, the most photogenic beaches have something special to offer – something that sets them above the pack. Photographic interest is essential, and few enough folks around that you’ve got a choice about who (if anyone) is in your shot.
The view looking south from Cape Meares is both easy to reach and supremely satisfying. Cape Lookout juts out into the ocean in the far distance. Part of Short Beach is seen on the left.
Cape Meares Seascape
Cape Meares offers several great views looking out over the famous Oregon Coast, but this view looking south from Short Beach all the way to Cape Lookout is one of the most beautiful and iconic on the entire coastline’s 361-mile length. The clear skies, clean air, and bright sun that afternoon brought out the beautiful … Read more
If you’re looking for great photographs and Instagram-worthy shots I suggest focusing on these top spots. My top Oregon beach picks alll feature something extra, be it cool rock formations, arches, waterfalls, tidepools, cliffs, or even caves.
Even though I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for my entire life, I have not visited all of the beaches. To do so would be a seriously time-consuming undertaking. I’m working on it. I say this because I recognize there are several beautiful beaches, likely worth at least a mention here, that I have omitted because I have not visited them myself. Look for updates as I explore more of the incredible Oregon Coast this summer and again next year!
Beaches are listed from north to south and not in any ranked order.
MOST PHOTOGENIC NORTH COAST BEACHES
CLATSOP AND TILLAMOOK COUNTIES:
Crescent Beach
Located in stunning Ecola State Park, Crescent Beach is a rarely visited wonderland that is perhaps my favorite beach in Oregon. It’s got everything, from dozens of sea stacks to caves and even a small waterfall. The hike in is on the longer side, which makes this beach gloriously empty. At times I have been the only person on the beach. Most people view Crescent Beach from up above the north end of the beach at Ecola Point and never actually step onto these magical sands. This is a fantastic spot for sunset, although unless you’ve parked strategically you will likely need to leave well before to avoid being locked in for the night. Trust me on this one, set aside a few hours and take the hike to Crescent Beach. I promise you will not be disappointed!
The glowing orange sun finds a break in the clouds just above the horizon at Crescent Beach in Ecola State Park, Oregon.
A Momentary Breakthrough
The glowing orange sun shines through a break in the clouds just above the horizon at Crescent Beach in Ecola State Park, Oregon – a defiantly bright spot in the otherwise cool and gentle evening. I clambered up the side of a big monolith at the back of the beach to capture the scene with … Read more
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is arguably Oregon’s most famous beach. It frequently appears on lists of the best beaches, like on TripAdvisor where it currently ranks 6th on the World’s Best Beaches list. Another list of the World’s Best 26 Beaches included Cannon Beach as one of three representing the US. It was also recognized by National Geographic as The Most Beautiful Place In the World in 2021. And so I include it here as well, if only out of a sense of obligation.
Cannon Beach features a broad and unbroken stretch of sand which runs over three miles, all backed by the idyllic coastal town of the same name. What makes this beach so famous, besides it’s charming town and easy access, is Haystack Rock. This massive and imposing sea stack, along with it’s two smaller offshore neighbors The Needles, create a stunning and iconic sight that has been photographed millions of times. At low tide the area around the base of the rock begs to be explored as tide pools reveal their secrets and the crack in the rock leads to dark, secret chambers. If I’m being honest, without Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach would be a fairly average beach and not worth a mention here.
Cannon Beach, Oregon is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Rhapsody in Purple
I totally missed my flight to Mexico in March 2023. I had made arrangements for a substitute for my classroom so I could take a few days off to meet friends there, relax, party a little, and overall have a fun and much-needed vacation. But I stayed up too late getting ready and my alarm … Read more
Short Sands Beach
This is another perhaps overly-popular beach that ’s worth a visit for great pics. Short Sands Beach, also known as “Smuggler’s Cove” is found in beautiful Oswald West State Park, framed by Cape Falcon to the north and Neahkahnie Mountain to the south. The wide trail along the creek through the forest is sublime. The beach is cliffed in on both sides, with fantastic rocks to explore at low tide on both ends of the beach. Walk north on the beach for up-close views of Blumenthal Falls sliding down the cliffs onto the beach and to explore the tidepools around the waterfall base. A neat creek canyon and a small sea cave round out the exploration checklist. This is also a popular surfing beach, so action shots of wave riders can be found here too. Just don’t linger on the beach for too long, as the high tide pretty much swallows the entire beach. It’s called “Short Sands” for a reason!
Neskowin Beach
I had never visited Neskowin Beach until the summer of 2023, and I’m quite happy I did. This beach is surprisingly deep – it takes a long time to reach the ocean! Proposal Rock, a massive onshore island, dominates the center of the beach and is quite picturesque, especially with it’s attached rock arch and how the creek basically runs right into it. Head south (cross the creek) at low tide to discover the Neskowin Ghost Forest, where dozens of pine trees were entombed in sand for hundreds of years only to be revealed by a winter storm stripping the sand away in the 1990’s. The ghost forest is rotting quickly, so plan your visit somewhat soon – eventually the old tree trunks will be completely eaten away by the waves and the ghost forest will become a thing of the past.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY BEACHES ON OREGON’S NORTH COAST
Fort Stevens Beach
An otherwise unremarkable beach has become quite famous and infinitely more picturesque due to the 1905 wreck of the Peter Iredale on the beach. In winter 2022-23, storms stripped away a lot of sand which revealed a lot more of the wreck. It is very cool, and what’s left of the ship is explorable. I would not advise climbing on it as it is literally rusting away. If you’ve never seen a shipwreck before, this one is easily accessible and fairly large. Best of all, Fort Stevens Beach in Fort Stevens State Park is free to visit!
Indian Beach
Indian Beach is the other beach in Ecola State Park. It’s far easier to access than Crescent Beach (you park right at it) and so it is much more popular. Surfers flock to this small beach, which has a number pretty offshore rocks and is backed by cliffs and forest. Look for the small waterfall on the creek near the top of the parking area.
Reaching For The Light
Winter storms in early 2023 had washed a few feet of sand away from the 1905 shipwreck of Peter Iredale on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria, Oregon, exposing the size of the wreck and shape of the hull. I lucked out with an astounding sky the day I took this photo. I … Read more
Left: Beams of light shoot through the clouds at the 1905 wreck of Peter Iredale at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria, Oregon.
Above: Seagulls take flight at Short Beach on the Oregon Coast near Cape Meares.
Arcadia Beach
I think of Arcadia Beach as a great beach to spend the day at. It’s got some cool rock formations, is not overcrowded, and is fantastic for sunset.
Hug Point
I really like Hug Point Beach. Unfortunately it has become quite popular which means it’s becoming a difficult spot for nature photography. This beach has several cool features, including a section of the original Oregon Coast Road which comes right down onto the beach. The waterfall, which is fantastic during the wet season but dwindles down to a wet wall in summer, adds a lot to the scene. In addition there are several sea caves on this beach. Hug Point Beach happens as a series of small, cliff-backed beaches. At high tide the accessible area becomes much smaller, while at low tide this beach becomes a long string of explorable beaches.
Rockaway Beach
Backed by the little town of the same name, Rockaway Beach features a group of two large offshore rocks, one with a significant arch. Head here in late fall or winter to get a shot of the sunset with the arch…that is if you can find a day where you can see the sunset!
Wet sand reflects the dreamy colors of a gentle summer sunset at Rockaway Beach.
A Gentle Dream
Wet sand reflects the dreamy colors of a gentle summer sunset at Rockaway Beach. For more on visiting Rockaway Beach: https://denphototravel.com/2024/twelve-most-photogenic-beaches-in-oregon/
Short Beach
Found just south of Cape Meares, an unmarked trail leads down a creative set of stairs to rocky Short Beach. The waterfall culvert is quite interesting, and the big rock formation in the center of the beach is especially photogenic. Avoid the crashing waves as you venture north on the beach to find double-tiered Larson Creek Falls.
Oceanside Beach / Tunnel Beach / Lost Boy Beach
Here you get a two (or three) in one, with sandy and calm Oceanside Beach as your first stop. Head through the tunnel to discover rocky Tunnel Beach, with it’s many sea stacks. The two beaches feel completely different from each other. At low tide, continue to the north end of Tunnel Beach then through the natural sea cave to little Lost Boy Beach, which is surrounded by tall cliffs. Tunnel Beach and Oceanside Beach are both fabulous sunset locations. You may want a flashlight to go through the tunnel.
Cape Lookout Beach
Cape Lookout’s beach is long and sandy, with beautiful forest behind it and Cape Lookout stretching dramatically into the ocean at the beach’s south end.
My family and I were rewarded for making our first visit to Tunnel Beach with this beautifully clear, golden sunset.
Blue Glory
I took my children to the beach every year around Father’s Day for several years until they became adults and moved away. This photo is from our final beach trip in 2022, when we decided to visit a few beaches we had never been to before. We were rewarded for trekking through the dark to … Read more
MOST PHOTOGENIC CENTRAL COAST BEACHES
LINCOLN, LANE, AND DOUGLAS COUNTIES:
Devil’s Punchbowl
Devil’s Punchbowl offer TWO amazing beaches at one stop! Otter Crest Beach (north side of the punchbowl) is one of the best low-tide beaches in the state. Not only does the receding tide reveal acres of tide pools and kelp gardens but it also gives access to the interior of the unique and super cool Devil’s Punchbowl formation. Add to it several picturesque offshore rocks and a small waterfall dropping onto the beach and you’ve got a recipe for a truly beautiful beach! Be aware that it can be hard to find the access to this beach – park in the overflow parking for Devil’s Punchbowl State Park and head north to the access path one block north. Sandy and broad Devil’s Punchbowl Beach (south side of the bowl) is also beautiful and normally surprisingly empty, with dramatic cliffs at the north end. This beach is popular for surfing.
Exploring the interior of Devil’s Punchbowl is possible at low tide.
Inside Devil’s Punchbowl
Calm seas beneath clear blue skies are seen through one of the three arches in the walls of Devil’s Punchbowl on the Oregon Coast near Newport. Accessing the punchbowl’s rocky interior is only possible a few times per month when the tides are lower than normal. At high tide during winter storms the water churns … Read more
Cobble Beach
Cobble Beach is quite incredible and truly unique. Located in (and for me the star of) Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, this beach is composed of dark grey rounded stones (cobbles) which make a high-pitch clicking sound when the waves toss them around. The beach is small yet is teeming with life. The offshore rocks are home to seabird colonies, and harbor seals are often seen basking in the sun on the rocks as well. At high tide the beach disappears entirely, but at low tide a gorgeous set of tidepools emerge filled with purple sea urchins and giant green anemones. The entire scene is overlooked by picturesque Yaquina Head Lighthouse and is sheltered from the winds by the lighthouse point.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse rises above Cobble Beach at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area just outside Newport.
Outstanding
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area lives up to it’s name in so many ways. This shot looks up at Yaquina Head Lighthouse from Cobble Beach, one of the most unique beaches in Oregon. Look closely and you’ll find a harbor seal sunning itself on the rock shelf near the waves on the left. For more … Read more
Seal Rock Beach
First you get fantastic views of the amazing Seal Rock formation stretching out into the ocean with waves crashing over and around it (looks for seals and sea lions – you will definitely hear them!) Then you get to stroll through a small but very pretty forest which has the best rays of light coming through it in the afternoon, then your feet kiss the sand and you’re off exploring the string of two beaches littered with on- and offshore rocks. This often overlooked beach has a ton to offer photographers and is a great spot to get away from the crowds at other more popular (and less photogenic) beaches. It’s also one of the safest beaches in the state due to the offshore rocks breaking up the surf. For me, this beach is the hidden gem of the central Oregon Coast!
Hobbit Beach
Hobbit Beach is the southern end of a much longer beach that stretches north through Carl G. Washburne State Park up to Muriel O. Ponsler Viewpoint. The parking area is small and can be hard to find which keeps the beach fairly empty. The hike through the forest is lovely, and the beach’s south end is dominated by lofty and woodsy Heceta Head. This spot makes the list because the hike in is as pretty as the beach itself! Honestly the entire twenty miles of coast between Cape Perpetua and Sea Lion Caves is one of the prettiest stretches of coastline in the world, and all of the beaches here are fantastically beautiful!
Heceta Head rises from the south end of Hobbit Beach, it’s top obscured in the all-too-common summer coastal fog.
Hobbit Beach
Coastal fog, all too common in summer on the Oregon Coast, obscures the top of Heceta Head at the south end of Hobbit Beach near Florence. And no it’s not a small beached whale eating a rock in the left corner of the picture…whales don’t eat rocks! For more on visiting Hobbit Beach: https://denphototravel.com/2024/twelve-most-photogenic-beaches-in-oregon/
OTHER NOTEWORTHY BEACHES ON OREGON’S CENTRAL COAST
Fogarty Creek Beach
Park at the North Fogarty area for the best access to this small beach, which features a creek and a big stone monolith in the center of this cliffed-in beach. Be aware this beach has very coarse sand and is somewhat painful to walk on without shoes.
Cape Cove Beach
This small beach is next to Devil’s Churn in the Cape Perpetua area, a cool inlet where the waves crash and swirl. There are some great tidepools at Cape Cove Beach along the rugged coastline!
Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint
This string of beaches south of Cape Perpetua are just beautiful, with golden sands backed by cliffs and coastal chapparel. All have easy accesses and small parking areas which help the beaches stay uncrowded. From north to south Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint includes an unnamed parking area at Gwynn Creek, then Neptune South, followed by Strawberry Hill and finally Bob Creek.
Heceta Beach
Just south of Heceta Head near Florence, this small beach has a picturesque road bridge behind it, nice cliffs, big offshore rocks, and a good view of Heceta Head Lighthouse. An easy trail climbs from Heceta Beach past the old Lighkeeper’s Assistant’s House to the lighthouse. Continue up past the lighthouse and through one of the most photogenic forests I’ve ever been in to reach the Hobbit Beach Trailhead in 1.5 miles.
A storybook setting unfolds on the Heceta Head Trail on the Central Oregon Coast.
Path Through The Elder Grove – Limited Edition
The section of the Oregon Coast Trail which traverses over Heceta Head near Florence passes through an unbelievable forest grove just north of the summit. The wind-sculpted trees and lush ferny forest understory with the fog billowing through created an enchanted scene straight out of a Grimm fairy tale. If wood sprites are real I’d … Read more
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Fog obscures the fantastic forms of Sitka spruce trees in the coastal forest at Heceta Head.
Fairytale Forest
Coastal fog darkens and obscures the wind-sculpted forms of Sitka spruce trees in the lush forest near the summit of Heceta Head north of Florence. This group of trees in particular possesses incredible shapes. The mist was coming through in billows, constantly changing the lighting and what was clearly visible. It was dark enough that … Read more
MOST PHOTOGENIC SOUTH COAST BEACHES
COOS AND CURRY COUNTIES:
Face Rock / Bandon Beach
Face Rock Beach is littered with dozens of offshore rocks and an offshore arch, including instantly-recognizable Face Rock itself. At lower tides the entire north end of the beach opens up to explorers. This beach is broad, long, and just beautiful!
Offshore rocks appear black against the soft and warm evening light reflecting off the ocean at Face Rock on the Oregon Coast.
Bandon Sunset
Offshore rocks appear black against the soft and warm evening light reflecting off the ocean at Face Rock on the Oregon Coast beneath dramatic clouds. For more on visiting Bandon and Face Rock: https://denphototravel.com/2024/twelve-most-photogenic-beaches-in-oregon/
Meyers Creek Beach
This gorgeous beach is easy to access and features a group of extremely tall sea stacks in the middle of the beach. It’s never very busy. Photo ops abound. Meyers Creek Beach is a great alternative to some of the more popular beaches nearby.
Secret Beach
I hate to say it, but the secret is out. Secret Beach, one of many beaches in the amazing Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, is incredibly beautiful and folks are flocking! You’ll find everything you could ever want from a beach right here, including loads of sea stacks (some with trees growing on them), a rock arch, a waterfall on the beach, a little sea cave, a very deep creek canyon to explore, and surprisingly gentle waves. The only thing that is saving this beach from being completely overrun is it’s lack of an official sign / parking area / trail and the fact that this beach is a bit harder to access due to the scramble down the rock to get onto the beach itself. These days, when you see an Oregon beach on Instagram, it’s likely this one.
Large monoliths and sea stacks capped with hardy shore pines rise from calm seas at Secret Beach in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.
Secret Beach
Large monoliths and sea stacks capped with hardy shore pines rise from calm seas at picturesque Secret Beach in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor on the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast. For more on visiting Secret Beach: https://denphototravel.com/2024/samuel-h-boardman-state-scenic-corridor/ https://denphototravel.com/2024/twelve-most-photogenic-beaches-in-oregon/
Harris Beach
Harris Beach is my favorite Southern Oregon beach. It is so easy to access and is supremely beautiful. The north end of the beach features dozens of onshore rocks, while the south end has dozens of offshore rocks with an expansive marine garden amongst them. The waves at the south end are particularly gentle. In the middle of the beach is a very cool slit in a huge rock which the waves crash through, with tidepools around. The broad yet shallow pool near the main day use beach access is wonderful for reflections. Harris Beach is a perfect beach for sunsets, and an easy beach to find your own little nook at.
Evening washes this beautiful scene in purples and blues at Harris Beach State Park.
Doorknob or Goblet? – Limited Edition
When we took a trip to the breathtaking Southern Oregon coast in summer 2023, I went back to the beach after dinner in hopes of dazzling sunset colors. Instead of burning clouds I found this incredibly gentle scene at Harris Beach as I was heading back to the car after exploring the rocks and tidepools. … Read more
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Waves fan out after crashing through the cleft in the massive megalith near the midpoint of breathtaking Harris Beach.
The Cleft And The Sea
This unique cleft arch in a huge monolith at Harris Beach opens into a small semi-circular cove. The rocks in the foreground house little tidepools when the tide goes out. I returned to this view several times at different times of day, but the soft evening light I captured here brought the scene together best … Read more
OTHER NOTEWORTHY BEACHES ON OREGON’S SOUTH COAST
Sunset Bay
The beach at Sunset Bay State Park is a perfect crescent of sand at the back of a deep bay. The entrance to the bay is narrower and flanked by cliffs which perfectly frame the sunset, especially near the March and September equinoxes. The beach is shallow and somewhat steep, but the waves are fairly small and the beach is as accessible as it gets.
Devil’s Kitchen
A stroll down the hill leads to Devil’s Kitchen Beach, which is basically just the south end of Bandon Beach / Face Rock Beach. Lots of offshore rock formations here.
China Beach
This beach requires a longer and more strenuous hike than any listed in this article, but for those who are willing to spend the day to get to this secluded beach in the Samual H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, you’ll be greeted with a beautiful beach with very few (if any) others around!
Whaleshead Beach
This Samuel H. Boardman beach is harder to reach unless you’ve got a vehicle with high clearance. It’s long and never busy, and features several cool rock formations including the cone-shaped Whaleshead Rock offshore at the north end of the beach.
Lone Ranch Beach
This easy-to-access beach is quite beautiful but also popular. It’s got loads of rocks and is surrounded by cliffs. It’s the southernmost beach in Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. I visited this beach for only a few moments in summer 2023. I do plan to go back as Lonesome Ranch Beach may need to be more than a footnote – it really is quite a nice beach!
This list may very well change as I explore the fantastic Oregon Coast more, so check back periodically for updates! If you have suggestions for beaches for me to check out, message me on Facebook or Instragram @denphototravel, or email me at: denphototravel@dave
Happy exploring!
Beams of light explode through the branches in the coastal forest at Seal Rock State Park.
Seal Rock Forest Light
I had never been to Seal Rock State Park before. I was in for a treat, and not just from the scenic beach. I was less than a minute down the short trail from the parking area when I looked to the side and discovered the most incredible beams of light coming through the branches, … Read more
