Things to do in Pacific City Provided for you by Mother Nature and Pacific City in alphabetical order.
Access Beach
Pacific City has three beach accesses. The southernmost is Bob Straub Park and is the best access
to explore the spit created by the Big Nestucca (access is pedestrian only).
The center beach access at the end of Pacific Ave (after crossing the bridge)
is used mainly by pedestrians, but 4X4 vehicles are welcome to climb the
dune for beach access (please note traffic signs). The most popular
is the Cape Kiwanda Parking lot at the most northern end of PC Beach. There
you will find easier access for vehicles (including the dory launchers)
but be careful with the tides coming in. This is also where you will
find the Cape Kiwanda Marine Gardens with tidal pools and interesting sandstone
formations. The ramp from the parking lot down to the water should
be easy access for handicapped and wheelchairs (they then become beachchairs).
(What do bring to beach?)
Beach Combing
Everyone's favorite pastime. We have our share of agates, sand dollars, hermit crabs and treasure washed
up from around the world. Need I mention splashing in the surf and do that
"wadding until your rolled up pant legs get wet" thing? (sound familiar?). Then you
can build that sand castle on one of the most pristine beaches in Oregon... Get Beach Toys Here
Bicycling
Everyone in Pacific City promotes Bicycling whether on the beach
or downtown. We have a Bike path through town for safe navigation
and Bike Rentals down at the cape.
(check out Inn at Cape Kiwanda in the directory)
Bird Watching
We are home to a multitude of species
including Bald Eagles, Puffins, Sea Gulls, Crows and Ravens, Pelicans,
Herons, and migrating Canadian Geese (thousands fly just overhead all season honking their way along)
Come prepared with
bird watching equipment
Camping Pacific City is a campers dream.
We have several county, state, and private campgrounds right here in town
(see links on main page). Several local businesses cater to the campers
needs with every possible want fulfilled.
Canoe, Kayak and Motor Boating We are indeed the boaters paradise on the Oregon Coast.
We have the Big Nestucca which is slow running with plenty of room for
either canoeing, kayaking, or motoring. We have several river accesses
with easy launching (see rivers link on main page). Many of our visitors
paddle our large Nestucca estuary and canals. And don't forget the
surf and open ocean for the daring kayakers.
Clamming
The only easier harvest of clams is to go to the grocery store. Take your fork or shovel during a minus
tide and help yourself. Be sure to take a BIG bucket. (check the Biz Links for "Nestucca Country Sporting Goods" for the lowdown on
fishing,
crabbing, and
clamming)
Crabbing
Most of our crabbers are almost
embarrassed how easy it is to gather a daily limit of dungeness crab.
Sometimes the locals end up giving part of their catch to strangers on
the street from just having more than they can use.
(Crab Shop)
Dining Pacific City has several fine and fun restaurants,
diners, delis and take out. Take a look at the Biz
Directory and try them all. A happy tummy makes for a happy day.
Dory Watching Be there when the Fishing Dories
launch off the beach. We are one of only two beaches on the west
coast where these brave hearts challenge the breakers to get out to the
great fishing with their dories. Take advantage of our local charters to
get the thrill of your life. Then give them plenty of room when you hear
their horn blowing as they land their large flat bottom boats at full speed
ahead. See Dory boat launch below!
Fishing
Pacific City is renown for it's fishing. We have an abundant spring and fall run of Salmon in the
Big Nestucca right in the middle of town. Many of the best catches
on the Oregon Coast are walking
distance from our many overnight facilities.
The river also serves a nice winter steelhead run. Town Lake (on
the northern edge of town) is stocked very heavily during spring and summer
with nice trout. Huge Ling Cod and other bottom fish are an easy catch
in our surf. Check out our
Pacific City Fishing store for fishing equipment.
Fly A Kite
Next time someone tells you to go fly a kite, tell them only if you can do it on Pacific City Beach.
We generally have a mild wind in the afternoons perfect for kite flying.(check out "Pea-Sea Deli" in the local Biz section for kite sales) or
shop kites
Golf We have two fun golf courses within
a 10 minute drive south from PC to the quaint village of Neskowin. Check
their listings in our directory
Hang Gliding and Paragliding
Almost anyone can learn to hang
glide and paraglide with proper assistance and supervision. Hang gliding
starts with a ground school lecture, video presentation, and using a ground
simulator. Starting on the flat beach, you learn the proper techniques
of launching and landing. You then proceed to lower slopes of the Cape
Kiwanda dune to get your first flights only 5 feet off the ground.
This ground skimming is great fun and even children can do it safely. In fact,
hang gliding teaches you the basics of aerodynamics, meteorology, and complex
skill development in a beautiful location. Its a great activity for school
and church groups, corporate teams and those wanting a more fun, exhilarating
and challenging form of flight.
Hiking and Backpacking We have some of the coolest hiking
trails (all within walking distance).
See the forest service site for
details. Cascade Head is one of the local favorites and very rewarding.
Horseback Riding
Pacific City welcomes all horses and their people. We have a restricted and well enforced speed limit
downtown with bike paths (just right for horses). There shouldn't
be any spook problems and all businesses would welcome a tie off out front.
Bob Straub State Park is the perfect staging area with a large asphalt
parking lot with designated parked for horse trailers. There are
trails all through the park which winds through the spit with access to
the beach. Enjoy video of horseback riding on beach in Pacific City below.
Marine and Mammal Animal Watching
Just sit on the beach and watch
natures parade of marine animals swim and frolic in the surf including
seals, sea lions, otters, and porpoises. You are very likely to spot deer,
raccoons, and our famous beach bunnies (at the Cape Kiwanda RV Park)
Monolith watching Of the two "Haystack Rocks" on
the Oregon coast, ours is the largest and most interesting.
Locals refer to the
rock as Chief Kiawanda (note different spelling than Cape Kiwanda).
The area was inhabited by the Nestugga Tribe up until the late 1800's with
Chief Kiawanda as their leader. The Cape and Rock was referred to as "Chief
Kiawanda's playground". If you look closely, you will see the profile
of the Chief with this face pointing south and his "ponytail" being the
loop on the north side of the rock.
Nothing in particular This is our favorite pastime....
just hang out and do nothing in particular
Off Roading
Although vehicles on PC Beach must
be licensed and legal for road, just a couple of miles to the north is
Sandlake ORV Recreational Area with
dunes the size of mountains. You can take your own or rent one (see "Sand Lake ATV Rental" in the directory).
See the Hebo Forest Service for permits. Even if you don't ride, watching is a blast...
Picnicking
Grab some grub from one of many
local eateries and take it down to the beach or one of several parks and
"eat out". Food always tastes a little better with fresh air in the
mixture.
Photography
Pacific City Area is probably the
most photogenic area on the Oregon Coast. We have it all. Besides
the abundant critters, we have the ocean, beach, the cape, trees, flowers,
boats, great people, and the most spectacular sunsets sinking behind Kiwanda
Rock. Many visitors literally use up several rolls of film on one
sunset as it changes by the minute. No one is ever disappointed...
Sandboarding
Sandboarding is the latest and coolest sport on the Oregon Coast and it is a popular sport among snowboarders who
cannot wait until winter to board.
Sand Dune climbing You can't miss our mega sand dune. It is the backdrop of Cape Kiwanda and makes for a fun (and challenging)
climb to the top. Most people run and jump their way down, but the
daring Hang Gliders take advantage of our great updrafts the cape and warm
sand make.
Shopping, Shopping, shopping...
Of course we have many many fine
and fun shops to browse until your hearts content. There are about
a dozen galleries, gift, collectibles, and antique shops in town.
If you can't find something special here, you didn't take a good look...
(check out or direcory) or online at Pacific City Shopping
Surfing
Believe it or not, PC has become
well known for our surfing. As the waves roll in around Kiwanda Rock,
they form some very unique curls. Of course, the best action is just after
a storm. We have the "chairmen of the boards" out all year round
wearing their wet suits and a large smile...
(check out our "Surf Shop" in our directory)
Whale Watching
There isn't a better vantage place
on the Oregon coast to watch the migration of the Gray Whale. Climb
atop of the cape and enjoy the spectacular view while waiting for ol' Moby
to surface. Best sightings in March and May (then again in late fall).
Many of our March/May days are very nice weather, sometimes even nicer
than inland. "Thar she blows!"
Oregon Coast
Pacific City is on the Oregon Coast. Learn more about the Oregon Coast here!
Tillamook Cheese
The Tillamook Cheese Factory is 22 miles north of Pacific City and is worth a stop if you are driving through Tillamook.
Things to see on The Oregon Coast
Are you looking for things to see on the Oregon Coast? The best thing to see on the Oregon coast is of course nature and the coast itself.
Oregon Shipwrecks
Many interesting shipwrecks along the way worth seeing. It is also an indirect way of learning about the Oregon Coast history.
Octopus Tree
The Octopus Tree, also known as The Council Tree is located north of Pacific City by the Cape Meares Lighthouse.
Visit the Cape Meares Lighthouse and the Octopus tree at the same time!
Three Capes Scenic Drive
The three Capes Scenic Drive is one of the most popular and spectacular stretches of scenery on the Oregon Coast if not the entire west coast
and it start right here in Pacific City.
Fishing
If you love fishing, you will love Pacific City. You can fish in lakes, Rivers, and of course the Pacific Ocean!
Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Meares Lighthouse is located 10 miles west of Tillamook and is a short drive north of Pacific City.
