Things to Do in Pacific City

Fishing

Pacific City is renown for it's fishing.  We have an abundant spring and fall run of Salmon in the Big Nestucca right in the middle of town.  Many of the best catches on the Oregon Coast are walking distance from our many overnight facilities. The river also serves a nice winter steelhead run.  Town Lake (on the northern edge of town) is stocked very heavily during spring and summer with nice trout. Huge Ling Cod and other bottom fish are an easy catch in our surf.

Crabbing

Most of our crabbers are almost embarrassed how easy it is to gather a daily limit of dungeness crab.  Sometimes the locals end up giving part of their catch to strangers on the street from just having more than they can use.

Clamming

The only easier harvest of clams is to go to the grocery store. Take your fork or shovel during a minus tide and help yourself.  Be sure to take a BIG bucket.

Bird Watching

We are home to a multitude of species including Bald Eagles, Puffins, Sea Gulls, Crows and Ravens, Pelicans, Herons, and migrating Canadian Geese (thousands fly just overhead all season honking their way along)

Whale Watching

There isn't a better vantage place on the Oregon coast to watch the migration of the Gray Whale.  Climb atop of the cape and enjoy the spectacular view while waiting for ol' Moby to surface. Best sightings in March and May (then again in late fall).  Many of our March/May days are very nice weather, sometimes even nicer than inland. "Thar she blows!" For more information about whale watching, check out this

Marine and Mammal Animal Watching

Just sit on the beach and watch natures parade of marine animals swim and frolic in the surf including seals, sea lions, otters, and porpoises. You are very likely to spot deer, raccoons, and our famous beach bunnies (at the Cape Kiwanda RV Park)

Photography

Pacific City Area is probably the most photogenic area on the Oregon Coast.  We have it all.  Besides the abundant critters, we have the ocean, beach, the cape, trees, flowers, boats, great people, and the most spectacular sunsets sinking behind Kiwanda Rock.  Many visitors literally use up several rolls of film on one sunset as it changes by the minute. No one is ever disappointed...

Beach Access

Pacific City has three beach accesses.  The southernmost is Bob Straub Park and is the best access to explore the spit created by the Big Nestucca (access is pedestrian only). The center beach access at the end of Pacific Ave (after crossing the bridge) is used mainly by pedestrians, but 4X4 vehicles are welcome to climb the dune for beach access (please note traffic signs).  The most popular is the Cape Kiwanda Parking lot at the most northern end of PC Beach. There you will find easier access for vehicles (including the dory launchers) but be careful with the tides coming in.  This is also where you will find the Cape Kiwanda Marine Gardens with tidal pools and interesting sandstone formations.  The ramp from the parking lot down to the water should be easy access for handicapped and wheelchairs (they then become beachchairs).