{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3315,"slug":"bob-straub-state-park-beach-pacific-city","name":"Bob Straub State Park Beach","country":"USA","state":"Oregon","city":"Pacific City","coords":{"lat":45.1902,"lng":-123.9716},"beachType":null,"tags":["scenic"],"article":{"hero":"Bob Straub State Park sprawls across 484 acres where the Nestucca River mouth carves its final channel into the Pacific, creating a landscape that changes with every tide. You'll park in a gravel lot bordered by shore pines, then walk through soft dunes matted with beach grass until the sand firms beneath your feet. To the south, Haystack Rock—Pacific City's 327-foot sea stack—dominates the shoreline, its basalt face streaked white with guano and darkened by constant spray.\n\nThe beach here runs wide and flat, ideal for letting children roam while you keep watch from a driftwood log the size of a school bus. At low tide, the Nestucca's braided channels create shallow lagoons warm enough for wading, their sandy bottoms free of the rocks that punish bare feet elsewhere on the Oregon coast. Plovers scuttle along the waterline, and harbor seals surface in the river mouth, their whiskered faces watching you with the same curiosity you feel watching them.\n\nUnlike the tourism magnets to the north, Bob Straub remains refreshingly uncrowded even in July. The wind here blows steady and cool, carrying the iodine scent of kelp and the distant bark of sea lions from the rock. Bring a kite, a bucket for agates, and layers—the marine air cuts through cotton in minutes, but fleece and a windbreaker keep you comfortable for hours of beachcombing.","teaser":"You'll feel the sting of salt spray on your cheeks before you even leave the parking lot at Bob Straub. The Nestucca River spills into the Pacific here, creating a braided estuary where sandbars shift daily and kids chase hermit crabs through tide pools. Haystack Rock looms offshore, close enough to photograph without a telephoto lens.","uniqueAngle":"The convergence of river and ocean creates warm, shallow lagoons that make this Oregon's most forgiving cold-water beach for families.","accessType":"Drive-up with short dune walk","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"surf","title":"Catch Nestucca Waves","subtitle":"Beginner-friendly river mouth breaks"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Frame Haystack Rock","subtitle":"Golden hour from north angle"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Estuary Loop Trail","subtitle":"Tide pools and seal watching"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Driftwood Beach Picnic","subtitle":"Natural windbreaks among logs"}],"audience":{"surfer":"The Nestucca River mouth creates shifting sandbars that produce mellow, slow-rolling waves ideal for longboarders and learners—expect mushy shoulders rather than hollow barrels. South swells wrap around Haystack Rock, offering protection from northwest winds that plague beaches to the north. Paddle out near the rock's north flank during incoming tides for the cleanest faces. The crowd factor stays low even on overhead days; locals respect a chill vibe and rotating sets. Water temperature hovers around 50°F year-round, so pack a 4/3 wetsuit minimum and booties for the occasional submerged log.","couples":"Claim a driftwood throne on the northern beach as the sun drops behind Cascade Head, painting Haystack Rock in shades of amber and plum—the angle here beats the crowded viewpoints in town. Pelican Brewing's flagship location sits three miles south in Pacific City, where you can share Dungeness crab mac and cheese on their oceanfront deck. For overnights, the Craftsman-style cabins at Pacific City Inn offer gas fireplaces and two-person soaking tubs, while Inn at Cape Kiwanda delivers upscale rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the rock. Morning walks along the firm sand stretch for miles, interrupted only by the occasional surfer and flocks of sanderlings.","backpacker":"Pitch your tent at Cape Lookout State Park, 12 miles north, where hiker-biker sites run $7 and hot showers wash away the salt. Pacific City Dorymen's Association Fish Market sells fish tacos for $8—order two and eat them on the beach. Groceries at Stimulus Market cost half what you'd pay at coastal tourist traps. Skip rental boards; walk south to Pelican Brewing and nurse a $6 pint while watching dory boats launch through the surf. The 33 Tillamook County bus connects to Lincoln City for $2, though service runs infrequently—check schedules or resign yourself to hitchhiking.","local":"Arrive at dawn on weekdays when fog still clings to the Nestucca and you'll have the entire northern stretch to yourself, save for clam diggers working the river mouth at minus tides. The driftwood graveyard a half-mile north of the main access hides perfectly dry sitting logs sheltered from southwest winds—locals know to cache firewood here for evening bonfires. Spring king salmon run through the Nestucca from April through June; you'll spot gear-laden anglers waist-deep in the channel. Skip summer weekends entirely when Portland families descend; instead, come during October storms to watch waves explode against Haystack's north face, sending spray 50 feet skyward.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Swimming is generally not recommended at Bob Straub State Park Beach due to strong currents, sneaker waves, and cold water temperatures year-round. The beach is better suited for wading, beachcombing, and enjoying the scenery. The Nestucca River meets the ocean here, creating unpredictable conditions. Families often enjoy the calmer river side for supervised play. Always keep children close, never turn your back on the ocean, and be aware of logs in the surf zone that can be dangerous.","q":"Is it safe to swim at Bob Straub State Park Beach?"},{"a":"Bob Straub State Park Beach is accessible year-round, with each season offering different experiences. Summer (June-September) provides the warmest, driest weather with temperatures around 60-70°F, ideal for beach activities and kite flying. Winter brings dramatic storm watching opportunities and fewer crowds. Spring and fall offer mild conditions perfect for beachcombing and wildlife viewing. Morning visits often feature clearer skies and calmer winds. The beach is less crowded on weekdays throughout the year.","q":"What is the best time to visit Bob Straub State Park Beach?"},{"a":"Bob Straub State Park has a large, free parking area accessed from Pacific Avenue in Pacific City. From Highway 101, take Brooten Road west toward Pacific City, then follow signs to the park at the south end of town. The parking lot can accommodate RVs and has accessible spaces. It's located right next to the beach with minimal walking required. During summer weekends and holidays, arrive early as the lot fills quickly. The park is approximately 25 miles south of Tillamook.","q":"Where do you park at Bob Straub State Park Beach and how do you get there?"},{"a":"Pacific City offers several dining options within minutes of the beach, including the famous Pelican Brewing Company with oceanfront views, Delicate Palate Bistro, and Grateful Bread Bakery. Accommodations range from vacation rentals and beach houses to the Inn at Cape Kiwanda and various motels. Basic beach amenities at the park include restrooms and picnic areas, but no food vendors on-site. For groceries and supplies, Pacific City has a small market. More extensive shopping is available in Tillamook, 25 miles north.","q":"Are there restaurants and places to stay near Bob Straub State Park Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, Bob Straub State Park Beach offers excellent views of Haystack Rock rising 327 feet from the ocean at nearby Cape Kiwanda. This is a different Haystack Rock from Cannon Beach's famous formation. The beach provides unique vantage points looking north toward the rock and Cape Kiwanda's sandstone cliffs. The park's location at the Nestucca River mouth creates particularly photogenic scenes with the rock in the background. Low tide reveals tide pools around the rock's base, accessible from adjacent beaches.","q":"Can you see Haystack Rock from Bob Straub State Park Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Bob Straub State Park Beach: Pacific City's Hidden Shore","description":"Wide sand flats meet Nestucca Bay's calm waters where kids build tide pools and kiteboarders catch wind. Pacific City's quieter shore waits beyond the crowds.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4415/36225573281_e7794e46a8_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"534999","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4415/36225573281_e7794e46a8_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4415/36225573281_e7794e46a8.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park, Oregon"},{"id":"535000","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49387191772_ae33372d11_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49387191772_ae33372d11.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park Beach"},{"id":"535001","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49386522068_1423fc04d6_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49386522068_1423fc04d6.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park Beach"},{"id":"535002","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7404/10092015955_14390cd31e_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7404/10092015955_14390cd31e.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park - Pacific City, Oregon"},{"id":"535003","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3726/10092069336_aa4400a856_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/3726/10092069336_aa4400a856.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park - Pacific City, Oregon"},{"id":"535004","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7357/10092080113_a3849017de_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7357/10092080113_a3849017de.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park - Pacific City, Oregon"},{"id":"535005","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51655230540_ebf659366f_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51655230540_ebf659366f.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park beach at high tide"},{"id":"535006","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7393/10091964844_267784a082_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7393/10091964844_267784a082.jpg","alt":"Bob Straub State Park - Pacific City, Oregon"},{"id":"535007","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/340/18775747309_b5af2b3e4b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/340/18775747309_b5af2b3e4b.jpg","alt":"Beach trip to Pacific City"},{"id":"535008","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51653553637_f08d2bb60d_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51653553637_f08d2bb60d.jpg","alt":"bob Straub State Park beach 1/13/55 11:55 AM"}]}}