Photo by Einahpets32 via Flickr CC 2.0.

Oregon Coast city guide

Pacific City, Oregon

Pacific City gathers surfers, dory boats, dunes, and Cape Kiwanda around a dramatic stretch of sand.

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Current conditions

Pacific City

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Why people love it

Watching the dory fleet, climbing the dune, and lingering over views of Chief Kiwanda Rock.

Local history and character

The Nestucca River and coast supported Native communities for generations. Pacific City grew around fishing and dairy country, and its flat-bottomed dory fleet remains a rare living tradition launched directly from the beach.

Pacific City gathers a remarkable amount of Oregon Coast identity into one compact place: a working dory fleet, a giant dune, surfers, sandstone cliffs, a river, and a beach where dinner can follow sunset without moving the car.

Best forSurf, dunes, dory culture, and sunset views

Give itTwo days

Local rhythmAdventure-forward but easygoing

Get oriented

Find your way around Pacific City

Use this map to place the town within your Coast route, then open directions for the practical details of the day.

Open Pacific City directions

Cape Kiwanda practical note

Keep the viewpoint side of the fence.

Cape Kiwanda is beautiful because the sandstone is always changing. The dune is steep and soft, and the cliff edge can fail without warning. Build the day around established viewpoints, respect every current barrier, and use Oregon State Parks for active access, beach-vehicle, and parking guidance.

Check current Cape Kiwanda conditions

See the place

Pacific City in pictures

A visual record of the city, its waterfront, its signature places, and clearly labeled nearby outings.

Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City — Cape Kiwanda, Pacific City. Photo by Einahpets32 via Flickr CC 2.0.

Historic Pacific City post office — Pacific City post office, date unknown. Salem Public Library, Ben Maxwell Collection; legacy caption retained.

Historic aerial view of Pacific City — Pacific City aerial view, circa 1959. Oregon State Archives; legacy caption retained.

Cape Kiwanda and Pacific City Haystack Rock — Cape Kiwanda and Haystack Rock, Pacific City. JATomlinson Photography.

Dory boat on the beach in Pacific City — Pacific City dory. Photo by David Merwin via Flickr CC 2.0.

Dory boat returning to Pacific City beach — Pacific City dory landing. Photo by Chriss Haight Pagani via Flickr CC 2.0.

Cape Kiwanda dune in Pacific City — Cape Kiwanda dune, Pacific City. Photo by Thomas Shahan via Flickr CC 2.0.

Bob Straub State Park near Pacific City. Photo by Jasperdo via Flickr CC 2.0.

Nestucca River in Pacific City — Nestucca River, Pacific City. Photo by Holly Hayes via Flickr CC 2.0.

Tide pool at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City — Cape Kiwanda tide pool, Pacific City. Photo by Thomas Shahan via Flickr CC 2.0.

Sea stars at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City — Sea stars at Cape Kiwanda. Photo by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via Flickr CC 2.0.

Paragliding at Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City — Paragliding at Cape Kiwanda. Photo by Doug Kerr via Flickr CC 2.0.

The experiences that define a visit

Things to do

Cape Kiwanda

Explore the sandstone headland while respecting closures and cliff hazards.

Open planning information for Cape Kiwanda

Dory fleet

Watch boats launch and land when conditions allow.

Open planning information for Dory fleet

Nestucca River

Fish, paddle, or enjoy the quieter river side of town.

Open planning information for Nestucca River

Bob Straub State Park

Walk a broad beach south of the river.

Open planning information for Bob Straub State Park

Three Capes Scenic Route

Use town as a base for a classic scenic drive.

Open planning information for Three Capes Scenic Route

Start with the cape, but respect the landscape

Cape Kiwanda is the center of the day—not a place to shortcut safety

Pacific City’s beach, sandstone headland, dune, and Haystack Rock view belong together. Build in time to walk the beach, watch the changing water, and use established viewpoints. The sandstone and cliff edge are unstable; the best view is never worth crossing a fence or treating a closure as optional.

Check Cape Kiwanda conditionsUse Oregon State Parks for current closures, safe viewpoints, dune guidance, and beach-vehicle restrictions. Watch the dory fleet with room to workBeach launches and landings are a living part of Pacific City’s fishing culture. Observe from a safe distance and never block boat access. Give Bob Straub its own outingThe broad beach and Nestucca spit south of town make a quieter counterpoint to Cape Kiwanda.

Water, wildlife, and weather

Let tide and surf choose the outdoor plan

The old guide’s best idea was to treat Pacific City as a place to watch and learn from the coast: tide pools when conditions make them appropriate, birds and whales from safe shore viewpoints, the river side when the ocean is rough, and surf or fishing only with the right experience and current information. Do fewer things well instead of stacking every water activity into one day.

Explore the Nestucca sideThe river and estuary offer a different Pacific City pace. Check current regulations and conditions before fishing or launching on the water. Keep tide-pool visits gentleLook closely, leave marine life where it is, and turn back before rising water makes a rocky shoreline unsafe. Extend the stay on the Three Capes routePacific City is a strong base for one scenic-drive day, but make each cape a separate stop with current road and park checks.

Plan around low tide

Tide-pool planning near Cape Kiwanda

Cape Kiwanda can expose rocky habitat near low tide, but surf, unstable sandstone, and the working dory beach demand extra judgment. Use the statewide planner to compare safer options and never cross fencing or turn your back on the ocean.

Compare Oregon Coast tide-pool spotsUse our complete guide for the map, low-tide timing, accessibility notes, family picks, safety, and responsible wildlife viewing.

Get out on the water

On the water and local traditions

Haystack Fishing

Experience the town’s signature beach launch with a long-running local dory captain.

Open planning information for Haystack Fishing

Pacific City dory tradition

Learn why the flat-bottomed fleet and its launch from Cape Kiwanda are central to local identity.

Open planning information for Pacific City dory tradition

Bring home something with a story

Antiques, gifts, and local finds

Lucky Beach Boutique

Shop coast-inspired clothing, gifts, and home goods in the Village Shops.

Open planning information for Lucky Beach Boutique

Headlands Gift Shop

Find Oregon-made goods, ceramics, books, pantry treats, and practical coastal luxuries.

Open planning information for Headlands Gift Shop

A simple first-day plan

One memorable day in Pacific City

Use this as a starting point, then slow it down for weather, tides, and whatever catches your eye.

Morning Cape Kiwanda
Explore the sandstone headland while respecting closures and cliff hazards.
Open planning information for Cape Kiwanda
Afternoon Dory fleet
Watch boats launch and land when conditions allow.
Open planning information for Dory fleet
Golden hour Nestucca River
Fish, paddle, or enjoy the quieter river side of town.
Open planning information for Nestucca River
Dinner Pelican Brewing
Beachfront pub fare beside Cape Kiwanda.
Open planning information for Pelican Brewing