Oregon’s Northern Coast (South side)

The Oregon Coast is split into three sections: Northern, Central, and Southern. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be exploring each section beginning just west of Portland at Cape Meares.

Tillamook, OR

Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint

Cape Meares Lighthouse

Built in 1889 Cape Meares Lighthouse is only 38 feet tall. But, given it sits at the edge of a 217 foot cliff that juts into the ocean, it didn’t really need any additional height. It was first lit on Jan 1, 1890 and was manned until 1963; when it was then converted to an automatic electric beacon.

One of only two eight-sided lights in the United States, this one-ton crystal lens is shaped like a giant beehive. The outer surface of the lens is made of prisms, enabling the light to be bent into a narrow beam. This beam is then passed through a bull’s-eye (magnifying glass) at the center of each side producing a light that can be seen for 21 miles.

The Cape Meares Light is a first order; which is the largest of the seven lens sizes. In addition, four of the eight sides of this lens are covered with red glass to produce a distinctive red and white alternating beam.

Octopus Tree

This Sitka Spruce measures more than 46 feet around, is 105 feet tall, and is estimated to be 250 to 300 years old. Instead of a central truck, limbs extend horizontally from the base up to 16 feet before turning upward. It’ll forever remain a mystery if this phenomenon was caused by natural events or if Native Americans influenced this growth pattern. Natural or influenced, this tree is a sight to behold.

Cape Meares Shoreline Views

The mist/fog hovering over Cape Meares today definitely adds to the experience. It doesn’t get in the way of what we want to see, and in my opinion actually increases the mystery and wonder that hangs in the air around this magical place.

Three Arch Rock NWR & Wilderness

Designated as the first National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River, Three Arch Rock National Wildlife Refuge & Wilderness is a 15-acre refuge to support breeding seabird colonies. It’s also the only known Steller Sea Lion pupping site on the northern Oregon coast.

Netarts Bay

Netarts Bay at low tide offers an incredible opportunity to see wildlife on the sand bars as well as in the low marshlands visible only when the tide it out. We were fortunate enough to see harbor seals, egrets, herons, and a variety of other species hunting for their next meal.

Cape Lookout State Park

Cape Lookout is located on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the ocean. It’s a very small park with a 5 mile trail around the cape, a campground, and access to the beach.

Pacific City, OR

Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area

Cape Kiwanda sports a sandstone headland just north of Pacific City and immediately to the right of it is a large towering sand dune that rivals the popular climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. We watched several people attempting to climb it to get a view from the top. Some made it; but many gave up and just slid back down. Which may have been on purpose given how much fun they were having. The amount of drift wood on this beech was also pretty incredible to see.

Chief Kiawanda Rock a.k.a. Haystack Rock Arch

Towering 320 feet above the ocean it’s actually taller than the more famous and more well known Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. The arch on the north side is known locally as “The Jug Handle” and is an easy way for the local dory fisherman to know if it’s too rough for fishing. It’s said that if there are waves passing through it, conditions are unsuitable.

Neskowin, OR

Winema Beach Viewpoint/Wayfinding Point

At the heart of the “Corridor of Mystery” this roadside viewpoint provides a view of Daley Lake and Commons Creek snaking down to Winema Beach. The Corridor Of Mystery was so named due to the abundance of hidden spots that sit cloaked behind private drives, dense forest, or natural rock structures. On this drive, we are surrounded by either high, rolling hills, ocean views, dense forest, or quaint little towns. The drive provokes a sense of mystery; because we never know what we’ll find around the next bend.

Proposal Rock

Formerly known as “Schlock” by the Native Americans who lived in this area, local legend says that it was dubbed Proposal Rock by the mother of Della Page. Her sea captain brought her here to propose to her in the early 1900’s.

Neskowin Ghost Forest

Just to the left of Proposal Rock is the Neskowin Ghost Forest. Over 2,000 years ago this spot was once a Sitka Spruce forest until (as the legend says) the trees were cut off by either an earthquake or tsunami. Over the hundreds of years since, the ocean has been preserving what’s left of these once proud trees and turning them into the barnacle-covered stumps that can be seen today.

We’re told the best time to visit here is a very early morning low tide, before the fog has worn off for the day. The effect is supposed to be haunting. Unfortunately, we arrive in the afternoon well after the morning fog has burned off and as the tide is coming back in. So, we can only see the very tops of these stumps.

Next stop… Oregon’s Central Coast (Northern side)