Pacific City's More Shy Sides, Where Oregon Coast Nature Still Rules

Published 03/09/23 at 5:43 AM
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Pacific City, Oregon) – Since about the late '90s, the north Oregon coast haven of Pacific City has undergone a raging growth spurt, certainly in the world of tourism where it's become Oregon's least kept secret. The tiny town gets pretty crowded on even a relatively mellow day. Pacific City has literally grown so much it's maxed out the land use boundaries: it's got nowhere to go with new homes, and the remaining beautiful, surrounding land has been saved for natural use and for future generations. (Photos Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Above: the pristine parts of McPhillips Beach)

See Pacific City Almost Had a Nuclear Power Plant.

Ironically, that makes it only more attractive to those looking to visit the area. Like the new Sitka Sedge State Natural Area, which is miles of clandestine beach hiking. But that takes some intense walking to get to.

So where to go to get away from the crowds without a major hike? Oh, there are still ways. Here's two examples: one just north of famed Cape Kiwanda and the other a tad south of Pacific City.

About a mile north of Cape Kiwanda there's a beach that's still somewhat clandestine: called McPhillips Beach (it's actually named after the guy who sold this land to the state, keeping it from getting cursed with a nuclear power plant).

Look for an unmarked road on the west side of the highway, and at the bottom you'll find a fairly untouched section of beach with interesting views of the other side of Cape Kiwanda. Well, maybe not so untouched: driving is allowed there, but in recent years some of that driveable area shrank.

This makes it even more of an north Oregon coast gem.

Here, a host of blackened rocks jut upwards from the sand, looking a bit like the charred ruins of some Roman column-like structure. They cap a small headland at McPhillips, which protrudes from the vegetation line, creating awesome shelter from the wind.

Continue walking north – almost a mile – and you'll encounter that mysterious northern tip of Cape Kiwanda, arguably one of the most strangely beautiful places along the entire Oregon coast. A kind of oceanic canyon suddenly opens up there, where you can watch waves careen and bounce between the weirdly-shaped semi-spires of sandstone.

Heading the other direction, towards Neskowin and Lincoln City, a truly secret spot hides behind rolling hills that look out towards the Pacific.

About two miles south of the Highway 101/Pacific City junction, you'll find a true clandestine gem in the form of Winema Beach. It's an intriguing mixture of a rock climber's paradise and a playground of endless sand.

On Highway 101, between MP 94 and Oretown, Winema Road sits inconspicuously on the west side. If you blink, you'll miss it. Once there, you'll find all sorts of oddities in the cliffs - most notably the giant rock structure plopped in the middle of the tideline. It too is perfect for climbing, with a tiny patch of grass welcoming you at its top.

Head another mile or so north along this beach and you'll reach some very secretive areas of the Nestucca Bay. More on the areas north of Pacific City at Hotels in Pacific City - Where to eat - Pacific City Maps and Virtual Tours. More on Winema Beach at Hotels in Lincoln City - Where to eat - Lincoln City Maps and Virtual Tours.

Idyllic Beach Houses

Kiwanda Coastal Properties

 

 

MORE PHOTOS BELOW

Find a Place to Stay

Seaside Lodging
Cannon Beach Lodging
Nehalem Bay Lodgings
Manzanita Hotels, Lodging
Three Capes Lodging
Pacific City Hotels, Lodging
Lincoln City Lodging
Depoe Bay Lodging
Newport Lodging
Waldport Lodging
Yachats Lodging
Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals
Oregon Coast Lodging Specials

Booking.com

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

Coastal Spotlight

Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Central Oregon Coast Scares: Florence's Haunted Maze Gearing Up for More Frights
13 Sep 2026 at 8:39pm
October 28-31 at the Florence Events Center, this time with accessibility in mind. Florence events

Weather Roller Coaster: Oregon and Its Coast Get Rain, Thunder, Then Warms fo...
30 Aug 2026 at 9:59pm
Fire?plagued areas get a little help from brief rain and thunder before conditions warm for the holiday weekend

N. Oregon Coast Preview: Cannon Beach Events for 2026 Through Winter 2027
7 Aug 2026 at 9:31pm
Summer music, birds; fall is for art and food; next year's events. Cannon Beach Historic Homes Tour, Puffin Walks, Concerts in the Park, Haystack Holidays

Volunteer Event at Cape Lookout is Part of Oregon Coast's Stewardship Days
7 Aug 2026 at 9:35pm
It happens at Cape Lookout State Park on August 26. A beer anniversary in Lincoln City. Oceanside events, Tillamook events, Netarts, Garibaldi events

Two Rescued from Rocks at Bandon by Southern Oregon US Coast Guard Crew, Police
4 Aug 2026 at 10:14pm
Video: Boat began taking on water near the Coquille River South Jetty in Bandon. US Coast Guard

South Oregon Coast in September: Bandon's Cranberry Fest Brings Pie, Music, P...
2 Sep 2026 at 8:44pm
September 12 and 13: parade, festival market, evening street dance. Bandon events

UPDATES: Variety of Smoke, Heat, Fire Alerts Around Oregon - Makes Its Way to...
4 Aug 2026 at 10:14pm
Portland, valley headed for unhealthy levels. 100-degree heat. Weather, South Washington

Three Highway Deaths in Southern Oregon This Week, Two on the Coast
11 Aug 2026 at 9:06am
Two happened near Bandon, another in Lake County

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted