Pacific City Guidebook
However you like to travel, we've got you covered
Welcome to Pacific City
Pacific City is a small coastal town on Oregon's central coast with about a thousand year-round residents, one main road, and one of the only places in the U.S. where you can still see fishing dories launched straight off the open beach. The big draws are right here: Cape Kiwanda's sandstone cliffs and dune, tide pools with abundant sea life during low tide, Haystack Rock just offshore, and the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge you'll see from the suite. This guide is a curated starting point, not a complete list. As a coastal town, hours and seasonal availability shift, so it's always worth a quick check before heading out.
Getting Here
Pacific City sits along Highway 101, just south of Cape Kiwanda.
- From Portland (PDX): ~2 hrs via Hwy 99W → 18 → 22 → 101
- From Seattle: ~3.5 hrs
- From Eugene: ~3 hrs
- From McMinnville wine country: ~1 hr
The final stretch on Hwy 101 is winding two-lane coastal road with limited cell coverage, take your time and enjoy the views.
The Lay of the Land
Pacific City is small, with just under a thousand year-round residents, and a walkable core anchored by Cape Kiwanda and the dory beach. Most of what you'll want is within a five-minute drive of the suite: restaurants and bars, the beach, the cape, and a few local boutiques and shops.
The Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge runs along the south end of town, and your suite looks out over it directly. Anticipate a quiet and serene community during the off-season that explodes with activity and visitors throughout the summer months. This kind of coastal rhythm is part of what drew us to Pacific City.
Bookmark These
A few links worth keeping handy during your stay:
- Tide chart: NOAA Pacific City tide predictions. Tide pools at Haystack Rock, clamming, crabbing and other activities can be tide contingent.
- Live weather from the suite: our on-site weather station. Real-time conditions right from the property.
- Surf forecast: Surfline — Pacific City / Cape Kiwanda
- Dory fleet & the beach: Pacific City Dorymen's Association
Caring for Our Coast
Pacific City and the wider Tillamook coast are wild, lived-in, and shared with travelers, locals, and wildlife all relying on visitors treating this place gently. Stay on trails, take your trash with you, drive the winding roads patiently, and give the dunes, the wildlife refuge, and the dory fleet the space they need.
The Tillamook Coast Visitors Association has put words to this better than we could. Before you visit, please read and take the Care for the Coast Pledge.
Find Your Pace
Whatever brought you to the coast, there's a path here for you. Pick the lens that fits your stay—or browse them all. Throughout the guide you'll see these icons on the activities and spots best suited for each style.
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The Surfer 🏄
Catch the break at Cape Kiwanda, dial in conditions with local shops, and refuel at coast-side pubs.
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The Hiker 🥾
From clifftop capes to old-growth forest to riverside walks, the trails here run gentle to ambitious.
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The Coastal Relaxer 🛋️
Long beach walks, sunsets from the deck, wildlife from the suite, and slow mornings with the bay below.
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The Foodie 🍽️
Working-fleet seafood, the iconic Pelican Brewery, contemporary plates, and small-batch coastal wine.
Plan Your Trip
What to know before you pack the car.
When to Visit
Pacific City is a year-round destination, but each season has its character:
- Summer (Jun–Aug): warmest and driest, highs typically 65–70°F. Morning fog usually burns off by midday. Busiest stretch — book early.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): the locals' favorite. Quieter beaches, dramatic light, mild temps, gradually increasing rain.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): storm-watching season, peak gray whale migration, and a different kind of beauty. Cool and often wet, but the suite is built for it.
- Spring (Mar–May): wildflowers appear, gray whales finish heading north, days lengthen quickly. A great shoulder season.
What to Pack
The coast runs 15–20°F cooler than inland in summer, and weather can shift in an hour. A few essentials regardless of season:
- Layers — a fleece or sweater even in July evenings
- Light rain shell — year-round, not just winter
- Closed-toe shoes for tide pools and trails (basalt is slippery)
- Binoculars for wildlife, whales, and the refuge view
- Sunscreen — UV is high even when overcast
- Power bank — cell service is patchy on trails and capes
- Reusable water bottle & travel mug for coffee runs
Tides & Sun
Tides matter here. The tide pools at the base of Haystack Rock are only accessible at low tide, and a careless visit at a rising tide can leave you stranded. Always check the chart before heading out — aim for a low tide of about +1.0 ft or lower for safe tide-pooling. The NOAA Pacific City predictions page is also linked in the Essentials section above.
Approximate sunset times — the suite deck and Cape Kiwanda both deliver:
- December–January: ~4:30 pm
- March & September: ~7:00 pm
- June–July: ~9:00 pm
Coastal safety basics
Pacific City sits in a coastal tsunami hazard zone. The suite itself is above the inundation line, but if you're at the beach, on Cape Kiwanda, or in the dory area and you feel a strong earthquake or hear the sirens, move uphill or inland immediately — don't wait for confirmation. Sirens are tested the first Wednesday of each month at 11 AM. The Oregon Tsunami Clearinghouse is the authoritative resource; your in-suite emergency flyer covers the local specifics.
Seasonal Highlights
If you're timing a trip around something specific:
- Dec & Mar: Gray whale migration peaks — south in December/January, north in March
- Mid-Jul: Pacific City Dory Days — the town's signature festival, typically the third weekend in July
- Nov–Feb: Storm watching — king tides bring dramatic surf
- May–Jun: Wildflowers at Cape Lookout and Cascade Head
- Sep–Oct: "Secret season" — mild, quiet, and the light is unbeatable
Rainy Day Options
Rain happens. The good news: storm-watching is genuinely one of the coast's signature experiences, and the suite is a perfect spot for it.
- Storm watch from the deck or by the windows — bring binoculars
- Pelican Brewing — warm, atmospheric, ocean view through the rain
- Tillamook Creamery — fully indoors, ~40 minutes north
- McMinnville wine country — tasting rooms ~1 hour east
- Local galleries & boutiques — explore the small downtown core
- A slow day in — coffee, the bay view, and a book
Curated Mini-Guides
A few highlights per persona—where to start, not where to stop. Browse the full lists below for the rest.
For The Surfer 🏄
- Start at Moment Surf Co. for current swell intel, board rentals, and lessons if you're new to the break. The local shop is the fastest way to know if today is your day.
- Paddle out at Cape Kiwanda. The right break off the cape is the signature wave, fall and winter bring the best size, summer is milder and friendlier to learners.
- Refuel at Pelican Brewing. Right on the sand. Hard to beat a post-session beer with the cape in view.
- Rest day: stretch out with the Kiwanda Cove cliff walk and dinner at Riverhouse Nestucca.
For The Hiker 🥾
- Warm up on the Kiwanda Cove Trail (~0.8 mi, easy) for clifftop ocean views without the elevation.
- Do Cape Lookout: the signature hike of the area. 2.4 mi each way through old-growth Sitka spruce to a clifftop with 360° ocean views. Allow ~3 hours round trip.
- Take a slow day at the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Gentle riverside walks and excellent birding without the climbing.
- Refuel at Grateful Bread on the way back, or Sportsman's Pub for something heartier.
For The Coastal Relaxer 🛋️
- Slow start on the deck with coffee. Listening to the birds as the refuge wakes up and the waves crashing in the distance is the most tranquil start to your day.
- Time a beach walk to low tide. Check the chart in the Essentials section. Soft sand, sea treasures, no rush.
- Watch the wildlife right from the suite including bald eagles, ducks, geese, salmon, a myriad of songbirds and the threatened Oregon Silverspot Butterfly that all use the refuge below.
- Sunset from the deck or the west face of Cape Kiwanda, both are spectacular. Then a casual dinner at Beach Walk or take-out pizza from Doryland Pizza.
For The Foodie 🍽️
- Start with a pastry and coffee at Grateful Bread or Cold Water Coffee. Both are local, both are good.
- In the summer months, stop by the Neskowin Farmers Market (Saturdays) or the Pacific City Farmers Market (Sundays) for some local food, crafts, and the kind of unhurried morning that sets the tone for the whole day.
- For lunch, make the short drive to Neskowin and grab a table at Hawk Creek Café, a cozy, unpretentious spot where the food is made with care and the pace matches the town. After lunch, wander down to the beach and into Proposal Rock and the Ghost Forest, where ancient Sitka spruce stumps rise from the surf like something out of another world.
- Stop by the Nestucca Bay Creamery for out of this world ice cream and cheese.
- Mid-afternoon wine at Twist Wine Company or PC Pour. Curated Oregon pours and knowledgeable staff.
- Date-night dinner at The Riverhouse Nestucca for fine dining and river views, or Dew for contemporary plates with creative preparation.
- Day trip for serious food fans: Tillamook Creamery (cheese tour + ice cream) up the coast, or McMinnville wine country inland.
- For more inspiration check out the North Coast Food Trail.
Attractions & Landmarks
The places that define Pacific City.
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Cape Kiwanda
The signature Pacific City landmark — a dramatic sandstone headland with sea caves, viewpoints, and a wind-sculpted dune you can climb for sweeping ocean views. The cape anchors the south end of town and is the launching point for the dory fleet. Especially beautiful at golden hour.
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Haystack Rock & Tide Pools
A 327-foot sea stack offshore from Cape Kiwanda — not to be confused with the more famous Cannon Beach Haystack Rock further north. At low tide, the rocky shelf reveals tide pools full of sea stars, anemones, and hermit crabs. The site is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, providing protected habitat for nesting seabirds.
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Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge runs along the south end of town — and your suite looks directly out over it. It's an important habitat for bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons, and seasonal migrants including Aleutian cackling geese and dusky Canada geese in winter. Early morning and dusk are the prime wildlife hours.
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Pacific City Dory Fleet
Pacific City is one of the only places in the U.S. where you'll still see flat-bottomed wooden fishing dories launched straight off the open beach. The fleet heads out in the early morning when conditions allow and returns mid-to-late morning — the return is the show, with boats riding waves onto the sand. Fresh catch is often sold dockside or by local fish markets the same day.
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Cape Lookout State Park
A dramatic forested cape jutting 1.5 miles into the Pacific, just north of town. Old-growth Sitka spruce, multiple trail options, and clifftop viewpoints with 360° ocean views. The day-use area also has beach access and tide pools. A full Pacific Coast experience in one stop.
Outdoor Activities
Trails, water, wildlife, and everything between.
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Cape Lookout Trail
The signature hike of the area. 2.4 mi one-way through old-growth Sitka spruce to a clifftop with 360° ocean views. Allow ~3 hours round trip. Shorter options branch from the same trailhead for those wanting easier walks. Spring brings wildflowers along the route.
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Kiwanda Cove Trail
A short clifftop walk (~0.8 mi) just north of Cape Kiwanda. Easy, less trafficked than the main cape, and the payoff is excellent ocean views without the climb. A good warm-up trail or a rest-day option.
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Pacific City Beach
The wide, sandy beach at Cape Kiwanda is the heart of town. Long walks, sandcastle building, kite flying, and tide pools at the rock. The working dory beach is the same stretch — mornings often bring boats launching or returning. Soft sand, gradual entry, and a dramatic backdrop.
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Moment Surf Co.
The local surf shop and the fastest way to know whether today is your day. Board rentals, lessons for all levels (including first-timers), and expert reads on current conditions. The Cape Kiwanda break is best in fall and winter; summer swells are smaller and friendlier to learners.
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Nestucca Adventures
Guided paddling on the Nestucca River with excellent wildlife viewing. The river winds through the same wildlife sanctuary the suite overlooks — herons, ospreys, and migrating birds at eye level from the water. Gentle paddling suitable for most skill levels.
Dining, Cafes & Drinks
Where to eat, drink, and linger.
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Pelican Brewing
Pacific City's iconic beachfront brewery and the town's de-facto meeting place. Handcrafted beers (the IPAs are the signature), hearty pub fare, and an unbeatable view of Cape Kiwanda from the dining room. Busy on weekends — arrive early for better seating.
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The Riverhouse Nestucca
Fine dining with river views and a romantic atmosphere. Fresh local seafood, locally-sourced ingredients, and an excellent wine list. Reservations recommended — this is the spot for special occasions and date nights.
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Sportsman's Pub & Grub
The local pub. Hearty comfort food, burgers, fresh seafood, and a full bar with craft beers on tap. Friendly staff and a lively atmosphere — this is where you go for a relaxed meal among locals.
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Dew
Contemporary plates with creative preparation and local ingredients. Upscale casual atmosphere with a seasonal menu — a quality-focused alternative when you want something a notch above the everyday.
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Ben & Jeff's
A casual local favorite for quality food without fuss. Friendly service, reliable, satisfying meals — a great stop for lunch or a low-key dinner.
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Beach Walk
Casual beachfront dining with ocean views — perfect for a meal with stunning coastal scenery. Relaxed atmosphere good for families and groups, and a strong contender for a sunset dinner.
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Grateful Bread
The local bakery — fresh artisan breads, pastries, and coffee. A neighborhood favorite known for friendly service and reliably excellent baked goods. A great morning stop before a hike.
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Stimulus Coffee
Local coffee spot with a relaxed vibe — fresh-roasted coffee, breakfast options, and a cozy atmosphere good for slow mornings or a quick caffeine stop before exploring.
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Twist Wine Company
Curated selection of Oregon wines and craft beverages with knowledgeable staff for recommendations. A great mid-afternoon stop, especially if you want to try regional pours without driving to wine country.
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PC Pour
Wine bar and tasting room featuring local and regional wines in a welcoming atmosphere. Different vibe from Twist — a little more bar-forward, equally good for an unhurried afternoon.
Shopping & Local Goods
Where to find one-of-a-kind coastal finds.
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Cape Kiwanda Marketplace
A locally-focused marketplace at the heart of the cape area. Artisan goods, regional products, and quality gifts — a good first stop for souvenirs that aren't kitsch.
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Lucky Beach Boutique
Charming independent boutique with locally-made items, coastal-inspired clothing, and unique gifts. A good stop for one-of-a-kind finds you won't see in chain stores.
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Pacific Coast Candy
Fun, eclectic candy shop with treats, regional sweets, and souvenirs. A guaranteed stop with kids; equally enjoyable without them.
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Local Art Galleries
Pacific City has a vibrant arts community. Local galleries feature work by coastal artists — paintings, sculpture, pottery, and jewelry inspired by the sea. Original work that captures the region's natural beauty and supports artisans living here.
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Antique Shops
Browse vintage treasures and collectibles at local antique shops — coastal memorabilia, vintage fishing gear, and one-of-a-kind home decor. Great for treasure-hunting on a slow afternoon.
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Markets & General Stores
For picnic provisions, groceries, and prepared foods. Local markets stock regional specialties — local honey, jam, smoked fish, and artisan products — alongside the everyday essentials. Perfect for stocking the suite or packing lunch for a hike.
Day Trips & Nearby
Half-day and full-day excursions worth the drive.
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Three Capes Scenic Loop
A ~40-mile coastal drive linking Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, and Cape Meares — with lighthouses, viewpoints, beach access, and trail options at each. The Cape Meares Lighthouse and its famous "Octopus Tree" (a multi-trunked Sitka spruce) are worth a stop on their own. A perfect self-guided half-day if the weather cooperates.
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Tillamook Creamery
The iconic Oregon cheese factory. Self-guided tour through the cheesemaking process, generous tastings, an ice cream counter that's worth the drive on its own, and a full restaurant. Fully indoor — one of the best rainy-day options. Pair with the Tillamook Air Museum a few miles away if you have aviation fans in the car.
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Cannon Beach
The Oregon Coast's other (and more famous) Haystack Rock town. Walkable, art-forward downtown with galleries, boutiques, and a wider restaurant scene. Worth a day trip if you want a different kind of coastal town — busier and more polished than Pacific City.
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Lincoln City
A bigger coastal town south of Pacific City with broader dining and shopping options, the Chinook Winds Casino, and seven miles of beach. Famous for the "Finders Keepers" glass float program — volunteers hide handmade glass floats along the beach year-round for visitors to find and keep.
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Depoe Bay — Whale Watching
Self-styled "whale watching capital of the Oregon Coast." A resident pod of gray whales stays in the area year-round, with peak migration viewing in December/January (southbound) and March (northbound). Several charter operators run whale-watching boat tours from the small harbor; the seawall along Hwy 101 offers free shore-based viewing.
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McMinnville Wine Country
Less than an hour inland, McMinnville is the gateway to the Willamette Valley wine region — world-class Pinot Noir country. Dozens of tasting rooms within a short drive, plus the Evergreen Aviation Museum (home of the Spruce Goose). A great rainy-day or change-of-scenery option.