{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3309,"slug":"cape-kiwanda-beach-pacific-city","name":"Cape Kiwanda Beach","country":"USA","state":"Oregon","city":"Pacific City","coords":{"lat":45.2067,"lng":-123.968},"beachType":null,"tags":["famous"],"article":{"hero":"Cape Kiwanda doesn't behave like other Oregon beaches. Instead of basalt headlands, a massive sandstone cape tilts skyward, its rust-colored face streaked white with gull droppings and worn smooth by a million sneaker treads. You can scramble to the top—though the sand gives way underfoot like sugar—and watch the Pacific churn against the offshore sea stack while hang gliders drift overhead, their nylon wings snapping in the onshore wind.\n\nThe beach itself runs wide and flat, a mix of caramel sand and charcoal pebbles where fishing dories rest on trailers between launches. Twice a day, diesel engines roar and boats slam through the shorebreak, a tradition older than the highway that brought you here. The water stays cold year-round—low fifties, wetsuit mandatory—but the waves peel with surprising consistency around the cape's southern flank.\n\nStay through the afternoon and the light turns the sandstone molten. Tide pools fill the rock shelves at the cape's base, starfish clinging to stone the color of burnt sienna. By evening, wood smoke drifts from beach bonfires and the brewery's patio fills with sunburned faces nursing IPAs. The sand holds your footprints until the tide erases them, which it will, twice a day, without fail.","teaser":"You'll smell the brine before you see the haystack—Cape Kiwanda's burnt-orange sandstone cliff rising from black sand. Dory boats winch up the beach while surfers paddle out beside them, and the wind carries the scent of Pelican Brewing's malt from across the parking lot.","uniqueAngle":"The only beach on the Oregon coast where fishing dories still launch directly through the surf, a century-old tradition you can watch unfold most mornings.","accessType":"Drive-up","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"hike","title":"Climb the Dune","subtitle":"Sandstone summit, steep loose sand"},{"icon":"surf","title":"Paddle South Break","subtitle":"Winter swells, rocky bottom, 5mm"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Shoot Haystack Rock","subtitle":"Golden hour, tide pools, telephoto"},{"icon":"food","title":"Pelican Brewing Patio","subtitle":"Clam chowder, ocean view, heaters"}],"audience":{"surfer":"You'll find a southwest-facing reef break wrapping around the cape's southern edge, workable on northwest swells from four to eight feet. Winter storms deliver the goods, but watch the inside rock shelves at low tide—they'll shred your fins. The dory fishermen own the lineup at dawn; wait until they're offshore or paddle north toward the beach break where softer peaks roll through on the push tides. Water temps hover around 52°F year-round, so bring your thickest winter rubber and booties. Locals surf here daily; show respect, don't snake.","couples":"Arrive an hour before sunset and claim a driftwood log on the beach's southern end, where the sandstone cape frames the dropping sun. The tide pools at the base reveal anemones and purple urchins during minus tides—bring waterproof boots. For dinner, Pelican Brewing offers booth seating with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the surf; order the smoked salmon chowder and whatever IPA they tapped that morning. Lodging clusters north in Pacific City proper—the Inn at Cape Kiwanda puts you fifty yards from the sand with balconies facing the haystack. Morning walks leave the only footprints when fog hangs low over the water.","backpacker":"Webb County Park campground sits two miles south—tent sites run eighteen dollars with coin showers and zero ocean views but you're sleeping cheap and close. Beach access is free; park in the public lot north of Pelican Brewing and walk. Skip the brewery prices and hit Banh Mi & Pho just off the 101 for seven-dollar sandwiches that'll fuel a full day. The Tillamook County bus runs weekdays only from the transit center, so you'll need wheels or a generous thumb. Fill your water at the public restrooms by the boat launch. Low tide exposes mussels on the rocks if you've got a shellfish license and a pot.","local":"Hit the beach weekday mornings before ten when the dory boats return and tourists haven't colonized the parking lot. The secret viewpoint sits atop the sandstone ridge's north shoulder—scramble up the gully behind the restrooms for unobstructed haystack angles without the crowds climbing the main dune. Winter storm watching peaks in January when fifteen-foot swells detonate against the cape; park at the brewery and watch from the seawall with coffee from Stimulus. During summer's evening low tides, locals rake razor clams on the flats north toward Nestucca Spit—bring a headlamp and a clam gun, limit fifteen per digger.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Swimming at Cape Kiwanda requires extreme caution due to strong currents, sneaker waves, and cold water temperatures year-round. The beach is known for dangerous surf conditions, and several drownings have occurred here. Wading near the shoreline can be risky as waves are unpredictable and can pull people into the ocean. The beach is better suited for viewing, tidepooling, and photography rather than swimming. Always keep a safe distance from the water's edge, never turn your back on the ocean, and supervise children closely.","q":"Is it safe to swim at Cape Kiwanda Beach?"},{"a":"Cape Kiwanda is beautiful year-round, but summer (June-September) offers the most stable weather with temperatures in the 60s-70s°F and less rain. Spring and fall bring dramatic storm watching opportunities and fewer crowds, though expect rain and wind. Winter offers spectacular wave action and sunsets but requires warm, waterproof clothing. Low tide is ideal for exploring tidepools and accessing the beach fully. Sunset visits are particularly stunning, as Cape Kiwanda faces west. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends during peak summer season.","q":"When is the best time to visit Cape Kiwanda Beach?"},{"a":"Cape Kiwanda is located in Pacific City, about 90 minutes west of Portland and 25 miles south of Lincoln City via Highway 101. The main parking area is at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, accessible from Pacific Avenue in downtown Pacific City. Parking is free but fills quickly during summer weekends and holidays—arrive early morning for guaranteed spots. Additional street parking is available nearby. The beach is immediately accessible from the parking lot. During peak times, consider parking in town and walking the short distance to the beach.","q":"Where do you park at Cape Kiwanda Beach and how do you get there?"},{"a":"The Pelican Brewing Company sits directly on Cape Kiwanda Beach, offering oceanfront dining with locally brewed beer and casual fare. Pacific City has several restaurants, cafes, and markets within walking distance. Lodging options include the Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa overlooking the beach, vacation rentals, and nearby camping at Webb County Park. The Inn at Cape Kiwanda offers beachfront accommodations. For more extensive amenities, Lincoln City is 25 miles north. Many visitors bring picnics as outdoor seating with ocean views is plentiful around the beach area.","q":"What restaurants and lodging are near Cape Kiwanda Beach?"},{"a":"Yes, climbing the large sand dune at Cape Kiwanda is a popular activity offering panoramic ocean views from the top. The ascent is steep and strenuous, typically taking 15-20 minutes. The sand shifts underfoot, making the climb challenging but rewarding. Many visitors bring sandboards or sleds to ride down. Be cautious near the cliff edge at the top, as erosion creates dangerous overhangs that have collapsed in the past. Stay back from edges and watch for posted warning signs. The climb is best attempted in dry conditions when sand is more stable.","q":"Can you climb the sand dune at Cape Kiwanda?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Cape Kiwanda Beach: Pacific City's Sandstone Cliffs & Surf","description":"Towering sandstone headlands meet crashing Pacific swells where hang gliders soar above tide pools. Climb the dune, watch dories launch through surf, taste salt air.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51032375938_aedfc850cb_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"534878","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51032375938_aedfc850cb_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51032375938_aedfc850cb.jpg","alt":"Black Sand Patterns"},{"id":"534885","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4484/37235200960_15804acc7e_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4484/37235200960_15804acc7e.jpg","alt":"Cape Kiwanda | Oregon"},{"id":"534888","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53495184264_3bb13475d4_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53495184264_3bb13475d4.jpg","alt":"A busy Pacific City beach seen on a sweltering October afternoon - Pacific City, Oregon"},{"id":"534889","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53501670673_f4599d116c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53501670673_f4599d116c.jpg","alt":"The “Great Dune” at Cape Kiwanda - Pacific City. Oregon"},{"id":"534893","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51391382883_b0bb06070f_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51391382883_b0bb06070f.jpg","alt":"Sunset At Cape Kiwanda"}]}}