Pacific City, Oregon

Pacific City is a small coastal city about 100 miles west of Portland, Oregon. Although small with a population of less than 1000, it does have a ton things to do and see. You can vacation here for months without getting bored or running out of things to do.

Kiwanda Rock: Also called Haystack rock. You can not miss noticing the largest monolith on the west coast towering a mile off shore. It is the trademark and ever-present symbol of this city.

Cape Kiwanda: which is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route is one of the most photographed places in Oregon. It has a huge sand mountain that you should climb because it is good exercise, the view on top is amazing, and jumping, running, or sandsurfing down is fun for kids and adults. Some people even hang glide off Cape Kiwanda. If you want to hop off Cape Kiwanda, check out: Hang Gliding in Pacific City. When you get back down, take off your shoes and socks and check out the sea life on rocks during low tide.

Pacific Dory Fleet: This flat bottom boats designed and built in Oregon takes off straight into the waves from the beach off Cape Kawanda. They are mostly used for fishing but you can also find locals that will take visitors out to get a close look at Kiwanda Rock. Watch out when you hear their big horns off shore, because that means they are rasing back to the beach and you do not want to be in their path. To charter a dory, check out Haystack Fishing or or Eagle Charters

Nestucca river: is big and slow running river. It is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and motorboating. There are many launch places for your boat. Just driving along the river.. you can't miss the launch places.

Whale Watching: Every year thousands of gray whales take the journey back and fourth between Alaska and Mexico and they pass by just outside Pacific City. They go south at the end of December, and north again in March. For best view of these 35 ton, 45 feet long whales look for calm sea weather forcast, and make sure to view from a high point such as Cape Kiwanda with your binoculars.

Seal watching: From Cap Kiwanda, go beach combing south for about 20-30 minutes until you reach the mouth of Nestucca river. Where the river meets the ocean is full of fish, and this a paradise for seals. Although, you can always find seals here, you may get lucky and see sea lions and otters too.

Pelican Pub: is the most popular place in Pacific City. Pelican Pub is an oceanfront microbrewery right in front of Kiwanda Rock. This is great place to hang out outside with a pint of beer while enjoying the view of the rock and dorymen taking off at the bottom of Cape Kiwanda. The pub and its surrounding public parking is good starting point for everything in Pacific City. For a full list of places to eat and drink in Pacific City, click here

Kite Flying: The afternoons here are almost always a litte windy, so it is the perfect place for flying your kite.

Horse Back Riding You are permitted to ride horses on the beaches, streets, and forest trails in Pacific City. Enjoy this beatiful place from the horseback. Bring your own horse, or check out Oregon Beach Rides located right here in Pacific City.

Drive on the beach: Driving on the beach is fun. You can actually drive on the beach from the south side of Pacific City all the way down to Nestucca river to watch the seals mentioned above. When driving, be aware of the signs, and keep a cell phone with you in case you get stuck. You don't want the ocean to eat your car.

Fly into Airport: Pacific City Airport has been open to the public since 1951 and is within walking distance of everything in Pacific City, including the beach. Then runway is 1875 x 30 feet and is used by about 38 planes coming in a week. Please note that it may flood during winter high tides. For more details, check out Airnav.

Sunset: enjoy the evening as the sun sets behind Haystack rock. See the daily updated sunrise schedule below to plan your evening to be at the beach as the sun sets.


Below is a map to give you a better idea of where things are in relation to each other. As you can see, most things in Pacific City revolves aroung three streets: Brooten Dr, Pacific Ave., and Cape Kiwanda Drive.


Photography Don't forget your camera. Check out the great pictures below.






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