guidebook
Because Highway 101 bypasses this stretch of coastline, this area is one of the Oregon Coast’s few remaining hidden gems.
SURFING
Oceanside is just 1 mile away. Pacific City is 20 miles away and Short Sands is 35 miles. Oceanside & Pacific City both have surf shops with rentals available!
OCEANSIDE
This cliffside coastal community is one of the Oregon Coast’s last hidden gems and is just 1 mile away! Oceanside Beach is our favorite beach for many reasons. Very family friendly, surfing, shops, and incredible views. There is also a public restroom.
Beaches
Our nearest beach access is just a 3 minute walk away, at the end of Crab Avenue. The beach you see from our living room is Happy Camp Beach. Our favorite beach is Oceanside (1 mile away). From Oceanside, walk through the tunnel to Tunnel Beach and if you catch a low minus tide, keep walking toward Lost Boy Beach… The caves & rock formations are incredible (just please keep an eye on the rising tide). Hunt for crystals at Short Beach and sand dollars at Cape Meares Beach. Oceanside and Happy Camp Beaches both have public restrooms.
The 3 Capes Scenic Loop
The perfect day trip that will leave you in complete awe — Cape Meares, Cape Lookout & Cape Kiwanda. There are plenty of itinerary suggestions online but we have our own — let us know and we'll share it with you!
cape meares lighthouse
Just 5 miles away, the views are amazing. Also check out the Octopus Tree!
HIKING & kayaking
The options are endless. Cape Lookout and Bayocean Peninsula (“The town that fell into the sea”) are 2 of our favorite hikes and kayaking in Netarts Bay is hard to beat. The current at Happy Camp Beach can be strong so we recommend launching at The Netarts Bay Boat Ramp next to The Schooner.
COFFEE
Seaworthy Coffee is just a 2 minute walk away. Current Cafe in Oceanside is also a great spot. For bakery goods & donuts, check out SaraSotas and The Bakery Next Door.
FOOD & DRINK
Nearby, we have The Schooner, Current Cafe, Blue Agate Cafe, Roseanna’s Cafe & Upstairs Bar & Grill. In Tillamook, Flavors on First Food Trucks, Pelican Brewing, de Garde Brewing, Werner Beef & Brew, Dutch Mill, Pacific Restaurant and any food truck on Highway 101 (Garcia’s Cocina is our favorite). For Oysters right out of Netarts Bay, The Schooner & JAndy Oyster Co. are amazing. For groceries, Safeway & Fred Meyer are close. The Fish Peddler in Bay City & The Spot in Garibaldi are also great spots for seafood. And finally, Bayside Market & Deli is just a 2 minute walk away.
TILLAMOOK CREAMERY
Definitely worth the visit if you like cheese & ice cream! From hands-on exhibits for kids to touring the factory, Tillamook Creamery is awesome. Lot’s of great food options as well. When in the area, Blue Heron French Cheese Company (they have a petting zoo as well!) and downtown shops are definitely worth visiting as well.
FISHING, CRABBING & CLamming
Netarts bay is home to some of Oregon’s best clamming & crabbing. Check out Netarts Bay Garden RV Resort or Kelly’s Brighton Marina if you interested in renting a boat.
PARAGLIDING
Oceanside (1 mile away) has a jump point off Maxwell Mountain Road and is also home to the Oceanside Open. Make sure to look up local rules, a USHPA membership is required to jump from here.
TILLAMOOK FOREST CENTER
If you’re coming to the coast on Highway 6, this is definitely worth the visit.
TILLAMOOK AIR MUSEUM
We have a family annual pass on our fridge, feel free to use it! Hangar B is known as the largest wooden structure in the world.
OREGON COAST SCENIC RAILROAD
If you or your little one is into trains, this is a cool way to see the Tillamook Coast (www.oregoncoastscenic.org). With stops in Garibaldi, Rockaway & Wheeler.
jacobsen salt co.
They harvest salt right out of Netarts Bay and have a gift shop nearby.
wwii HISTORY
There’s an abandoned WWII radar site on Cape Meares. The Tillamook Air Museum is located in a WWII Blimp Hangar. Cape Lookout is also the crash site of a B-17 Bomber during the war.