Exquisite Spring Break Hangouts on Oregon Coast with New Discoveries

Published 03/17/25 at 8:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – So much coastline, so little time during spring break. Indeed, that school vacation time is upon us and plans must be made. (Below Silver Point, Cannon Beach)

Where to take the family? And perhaps find something new? Here's five exquisitely cool beach hangouts and where to stay nearby.

Second Street Access at Cannon Beach: Ecola Creek to Chapman Point. In a way this one is hiding in plain sight: just about the northernmost access in all of Cannon Beach. It sits at the end of Second Street and “bustling downtown,” where you'll also find Cannon Beach Fultano's Pizza (fab pizza but also incredible pasta sauce they make themselves).

A lot of summer sunsets see this spot get filled up with folks often chattering about the possibility of catching the green flash, but mostly it's Ecola Creek that lazily spills past – and it's the closest access to that landmark.

From there northward is Chapman Point and the ultimate northern edge of town. This is where you'll find almost no one else. If you're extremely lucky, tides may be low enough briefly and allow you entrance to secretive Crescent Beach just beyond.

Staying Here. Right next to the access is Schooner's Cove Inn, a remarkable hotel at any time of year. It's part luxury hotel and all family-friendly. 188 North Larch Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. (800) 843-0128. www.schoonerscove.com

Secretive South Cannon Beach. There's a lot more to southern Cannon Beach than the Tolovana area, although that is plenty enough with its close proximity to famed Haystack Rock. However, keep treading southward, like those streets with names of Oregon towns, and you start getting more deserted and a bit more interesting.

There's the tidepool-covered blobs at this end, and in this area you run out of beach accesses. You're now walking in a secretive area. Keep strolling and you'll bump into magnificent Silver Point – the section of beach right below those famed lookouts south of town. Here, you'll find Jockey Cap Rock, a curious cave full of colors and unusual marks in the cliffs. The area is a treasure trove of fascinating stuff.

Right in front of the Tolovana area is the rather inexpensive Wayside Inn, perfect for families – and that includes their pets. 3339 S. Hemlock Street, Cannon Beach, Oregon, 888-659-6397. www.thewayside-inn.com

Hotels in Cannon Beach - Where to eat - Cannon Beach Maps and Virtual Tours

In Lincoln City, one of the central Oregon coast town's northernmost delights is the NW 26th Ave. access. It sits tucked away behind interweaving neighborhood streets and a bit apart from the better-known accesses. There's a bit of a stairway down, thus from the top and the parking lot you get an excellent higher vantage point of the sea and sand, making a good spot to look for whales.

You'll also encounter the curious remnant of another stairway that was here once – a bit of a puzzle since no one seems to know what the story is. Most interesting: there's nary another soul along this stretch, which is rare for Lincoln City.

Close by is the Pelican Shore Inn, which – among other pleasantries – gives you quick access to this very beach. Heated indoor pool, complimentary continental breakfast, DVD’s for rent, guest laundry, and barbecues are also on the list of goodies. 2645 NW Inlet Ave. 800-705-5505. www.pelicanshores.com

Lincoln City's D River State Recreation Site. It's the famed beautiful spot right in the middle of Lincoln City, actually marking the line between north and south streets in town.

There's a few things not super well-known about the hotspot. One, is that gravel beds (and thus agates) can sprout up out of nowhere sometimes, popping up here even during summer's higher sand levels. Another is that there's some mysterious metal chunks lurking beneath the sands (see the full story Metal Mystery Appears on Oregon Coast at Lincoln City's D River).

You'll also find a cool little hidden access right near the Shearwater Inn. It gets you a tad bit away from the larger crowds. The Shearwater itself is one lovely marvel of a hotel, with most rooms overlooking all the waves and any oceanic drama they can provide. 120 NW Inlet Court. Lincoln City, Oregon. (541) 994-4121. 800-869-8069. www.theshearwaterinn.com

Lincoln City's Taft and Siletz Bay. There is plenty of the obvious of this beach: the dense forest of massive, dead logs, spotting wildlife in the bay, and watching mesmerizing storms tear the crap out of all of it. However, there's much beyond the bay. Head just a bit south, over the river, and you'll encounter cool and very untamed Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge and little hideouts like Keys Place.

Notice the marsh full of dying trees. These are experiencing the same kind of slow death the ghost forests on the beaches did some 2,000 to 4,000 years ago. It's entirely possible sand may rise up around them and that you're witnessing the slow birth of another ghost forest.

Right up on Siletz Bay are the delights of Looking Glass Inn, a fantastic stay for families on spring break or any other time of year. Some rooms are high up and gaze out over the log-ridden spectacle. Even better: it's extremely pet-friendly. 861 SW 51st Ave. Lincoln City, Oregon. 800-843-4940. www.lookingglass-inn.com 

Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours

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