Exploring Winema Beach on the North Oregon Coast

Looking for more great beaches to explore on the North Oregon Coast?
Take a hike to gorgeous Short Sand Beach or visit lovely Sitka Sedge.

CURRENT INFO

Information about hiking Winema Beach is available on the AllTrails website.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking is free at Winema Beach. The Oregon Coast isn’t call the People’s Coast for nothing! There is only room for 8 to 10 cars in the small parking area, so please park at an angle when possible. If the parking area is full, look for pullouts along Winema Road.
• There are no public toilets or other facilities at Winema Beach. Please pack everything out with you. While the beach is typically quite clean, it’s not uncommon to find bits of garbage washed ashore, so consider bringing a bag to pick up any litter you find.
• For the closest public toilet, drive two miles north to the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where there is a vault toilet by the parking lot. This is another great place for a short hike, but please note that dogs are not allowed and there is no beach access at the refuge.
• Dogs are welcome on Winema Beach. Since it’s not a state park, dogs are allowed off leash as long as they remain under control. Always carry a leash with you and pick up after your pet.
• To access the rocks and the northern end of Winema Beach, visit at low tide. Check the tide tables before you go.
• Winema Beach is relatively accessible — there are no stairs, and the path from the parking area to the beach, while unpaved, is short and fairly level.

HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Winema Beach when the tide is out for the chance to explore a shoreline cave, climb the rocks for a fabulous view, and admire the shifting patterns in the sand as the tide ebbs and flows. Perhaps because Winema Beach isn’t a state park (and therefore less well known), or perhaps because of limited parking, it’s usually not too crowded (although to be fair, I haven’t visited when the nearby summer camp is in session). The clifftop mansions overlooking the beach are a clear sign that civilization is near, but natural beauty still abounds.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Kids + beach is always a winning combination! Our boys were initially drawn to the driftwood tipi near the entrance to the beach. A walk north to the rocks led to more adventures — climbing, caving, and waterfalls, to name just a few. Even though we didn’t bring the sand toys, there was plenty to keep them busy.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

On the Oregon Coast, there’s always more to see and do. For something a little different, head two miles north to the Nesctucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge for hiking and birdwatching. Please note that pets are not allowed at the refuge. Another fantastic place for a short hike is the Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, which offers views of the Sand Lake Estuary, coastal forest, and leads to a gorgeous secluded beach. Dogs are allowed here, but must be leashed.

Can’t get enough of the coast? The Three Capes Scenic Loop is a 40-mile drive offering stunning views, windswept beaches, and beautiful hikes. Cap off your trip with dinner at a local restaurant, such as the Pelican Brewpub in Pacific City. Or head south to Lincoln City and try the stunning hike to God’s Thumb.

After a week of snow and rain, New Year’s Day brought crisp, blue skies flocked with lacy white clouds to northwestern Oregon. Perfect winter beach weather! And while a visit to Winema Beach may not strictly be considered a “hike”, it definitely counts as a “First Day” outing. A beach walk is always good for the soul!

We drove an hour from my parents’ home in the Willamette Valley to reach the tiny parking area for Winema Beach. Due to limited parking, we parked further up the road, but it was still an easy walk to the shore. Take note, however, that there are no public toilets or garbage bins here and plan accordingly. You may want stop at the nearby Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge first if you need to use the facilities.

It takes only a minute to walk onto the beach from the parking area, where we were greeted with blue skies and turquoise waves crashing onto the sand. The kids were immediately drawn to the skeleton of a driftwood tipi nestled against the grassy bank. The adults first headed south to the rippling stream that flows from Daley Lake to the ocean. Daley Lake is a small beachside lake that lies within Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp, which borders Winema Beach. You’ll catch a glimpse of the lake as you drive in. For a lovely view, stop at the Winema Lake Viewpoint along Highway 101.

Waves streaked across the sand, shimmering in the sunlight. Only a handful of other people were on the beach, so it was an ideal time to let Buddy off his leash for a game of seaside fetch. There is no joy like that of a golden retriever running free on the shore! Many beaches in Oregon allow dogs to be off leash as long as they remain under control and the owners keep a leash ready. Check the signs posted in parking areas to see if there are any restrictions first. Oregon: It’s not just the People’s Coast, it’s the Dog’s Coast, too!

Who else likes to run on the beach? Kids do! Some adults, too. In any case, Winema Beach at low tide is perfect for a run (or leisurely stroll, if you prefer).

Winema Beach is also made for exploring. As we made our way north, T and I discovered a pretty little waterfall tumbling over the cliff. He paused a moment, fascinated by the tiny ripples created as the creek wound its way through the sand. Winema Beach is full of such small wonders — creeks, ripples, and shallow pools (and some not so shallow) left stranded by the outgoing tide.

Naturally, the big draw at Winema Beach is the rocks. We climbed partway up the first rocky promontory, and discovered a line secured at the top of the cliff to help visitors maneuver the steep pathway down. This is not an official path, so, as always, go at your own risk. From what I saw, it appears the locals use it as a shortcut down to the beach from the clifftop houses above.

Up ahead, more rock climbing adventures awaited. The tide was now out far enough that we could easily pass between the massive rocks that are Winema Beach’s most distinctive feature. Please note that at high tide, this passageway is cut off. When heading north, it’s best to go as the tide is receding, so you don’t risk being marooned on the return trip.

For avid amateur climbers, these rocks are a treat. Climb the outer monolith for a fantastic view over the Pacific and a real sense of accomplishment. I admit I missed out on this experience, as I chose instead to head further north, where Winema Beach ends at the mouth of Nestucca Bay. My brother, meanwhile, captured some fantastic drone footage of the others rock climbing, and I’m a bit jealous I didn’t make the trek to the top myself.

Just past the mighty rocks, another marvel awaits — a cave! While not very deep, the cavern is spacious and fun and easy to explore, even without a flashlight. Who knows what treasure you might find here? Gold? Casks of ancient ale? Or perhaps the longest kelp rope found on this side of the Pacific?

The mouth of the cave frames a picture perfect view of Haystack Rock. If you’re unfamiliar with this stretch of the Oregon Coast, note that this is Pacific City’s Haystack Rock, not the more famous monolith near Cannon Beach, which lies further north.

From here, I headed toward Nestucca Bay, taking in the changing patterns of the water rippling across the sand and searching for sand dollars. The lower the tide, the better the beachcombing, although finding a whole specimen can be a challenge. As I made my way south to join the rest of my family, I felt the air turn chilly as the afternoon waned.

I found my family taking a break on a large driftwood log, not far from the path to the Winema Beach parking area. We enjoyed a snack before heading back to our cars, feeling satisfied and relaxed. After a pit stop at the Nestucca National Wildlife Refuge, we drove east, following the Nestucca River as it wound through the Coast Range, gushing over rocks and under one-lane bridges. Whatever else the year may bring, 2022 was off to a wonderful start!