Coastline
17 places · Sea stacks, coves & tidal shores
Kalaloch, WA
Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach is named for the reddish crystal fragments found in its sand and features dramatic sea stacks, including Abbey Island, and massive piles of silvered driftwood. The beach is accessed via a short 0.2-mile trail from the Highway 101 parking area. At low tide, extensive tidepools are exposed among the rocky formations.
Florence, OR
Thor's Well
A natural sinkhole in the basalt shoreline at Cape Perpetua that appears to drain the ocean into a bottomless pit. The hole is approximately 20 feet deep and produces dramatic geyser-like surges as waves crash into it. It is located within the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area along the central Oregon Coast.
La Push, WA
Third Beach
Third Beach is reached via a 1.3-mile trail through dense coastal forest and features a wide sandy beach flanked by forested headlands and offshore sea stacks. Strawberry Bay Falls, a small waterfall, drops directly onto the beach at its southern end. The beach is a popular starting point for the South Coast Wilderness Route.
Forks, WA
Shi Shi Beach
Shi Shi Beach is a remote wilderness beach accessed via a 4-mile trail from the Makah Reservation boundary, featuring the Point of the Arches sea stack complex at its southern end. The arches and pinnacles are among the most dramatic coastal rock formations in the Pacific Northwest. Tidepools at the base of the arches are exceptionally rich in marine life.
Whidbey Island, WA
Ebey's Landing
A National Historical Reserve on central Whidbey Island featuring dramatic coastal bluffs rising 250 feet above the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The bluff trail traverses open prairie above the shoreline with views of the Olympic Mountains and passing ships. The surrounding farmland has been continuously cultivated since the 1850s.
Bellingham, WA
Larrabee State Park
Washington's first state park, established in 1915, encompasses 2,683 acres of rocky coastline, tide pools, and forested uplands along Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham. The park's shoreline features sandstone formations sculpted by erosion along Samish Bay with views of the San Juan Islands. Two freshwater lakes in the upland portion offer secluded forest settings.
Whidbey Island, WA
Fort Casey Historical State Park
A decommissioned Endicott-period military fort at Admiralty Head on central Whidbey Island featuring preserved concrete batteries, disappearing gun carriages, and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. The fort was part of the Triangle of Fire defense system guarding the entrance to Puget Sound. The park sits on a bluff overlooking the Keystone-Port Townsend ferry landing with views across Admiralty Inlet.
Forks, WA
Rialto Beach
Rialto Beach features dramatic sea stacks, driftwood-covered shores, and the iconic Hole-in-the-Wall rock arch located about 1.5 miles north along the coast. The beach is composed of smooth cobblestones and dark sand, with frequent fog adding atmospheric conditions. Bald eagles and shorebirds are commonly spotted along the tideline.
La Push, WA
La Push First Beach
First Beach is located in the Quileute tribal village of La Push and features towering sea stacks including James Island just offshore. The crescent-shaped beach offers views of the rugged Pacific coastline and is accessible by a short walk from the parking area. Sunsets here frequently produce vivid colors reflected in the wet sand.
La Push, WA
Second Beach
Second Beach is accessed via a 0.7-mile trail through coastal forest that descends to a wide sandy beach with prominent sea stacks and tidepools. The Quillayute Needles sea stacks create a dramatic backdrop, especially during sunset or fog. It is considered one of the most photogenic beaches in the Pacific Northwest.
Cannon Beach, OR
Haystack Rock
A 235-foot basalt sea stack that is one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Oregon Coast. The rock is home to tufted puffins during nesting season and is surrounded by tide pools rich with marine life. It is accessible on foot at low tide from Cannon Beach.
Newport, OR
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
A mile-long basalt headland featuring Oregon's tallest lighthouse, the 93-foot Yaquina Head Lighthouse, built in 1873. The area includes Cobble Beach, composed entirely of smooth rounded basalt cobblestones, and tidepools at Quarry Cove. Harbor seals, gray whales, and nesting seabirds are frequently observed from the headland.
Brookings, OR
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
A 12-mile stretch of rugged coastline featuring sea stacks, natural arches, steep cliff faces, and secluded coves considered among the most scenic on the entire Oregon Coast. Named viewpoints include Natural Bridges, Arch Rock, and Thunder Rock Cove. The Oregon Coast Trail runs through the corridor with multiple trailhead access points.
Astoria, OR
Peter Iredale Shipwreck
The rusted iron skeleton of the four-masted sailing ship Peter Iredale, which ran aground in 1906, sits partially buried in the sand at Fort Stevens State Park. It is one of the most accessible and photographed shipwrecks on the Pacific Coast. The wreck's iron ribs create dramatic foreground elements against ocean and sky.
Lincoln City, OR
D River State Recreation Site
Home to the D River, which at 120 feet has been claimed as one of the shortest rivers in the world, connecting Devils Lake to the Pacific Ocean. The wide sandy beach is a popular site for kite festivals held twice annually. The river's mouth creates reflective pools and interesting patterns in the sand.
Forks, WA
Cape Flattery
Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, located on the Makah Reservation. A 0.75-mile boardwalk trail leads to observation platforms overlooking dramatic sea caves, offshore islets, and Tatoosh Island with its lighthouse. Gray whales, sea otters, and puffins are frequently observed from the viewpoints.
Kalaloch, WA
Kalaloch Beach 4
Beach 4 is known for its excellent tidepool areas and sculptural rock formations exposed at low tide. Sea stars, anemones, and mussels are abundant in the rocky intertidal zone. The short 0.2-mile trail from Highway 101 descends through Sitka spruce forest to the beach.