{"ok":true,"data":{"id":3272,"slug":"d-river-beach-lincoln-city","name":"D River Beach","country":"USA","state":"Oregon","city":"Lincoln City","coords":{"lat":44.9692,"lng":-124.0156},"beachType":null,"tags":["family"],"article":{"hero":"You park on asphalt, cross a two-lane road, and suddenly you're on a beach that stretches north and south farther than your eyes can track. The D River cuts a modest channel through the sand beside you, a geographical oddity that once held a Guinness record but now serves mainly as a landmark for day-trippers seeking elbow room without the drive to remote coves.\n\nLincoln City's commercial spine runs parallel to the shore—motels, saltwater taffy shops, outlet malls—but the beach itself offers surprising breathing space. Low tide reveals acres of hard-packed sand where children sprint with two-line stunt kites, the wind constant enough that even beginners look competent. Agates hide among the darker pebbles near the tideline, and harbor seals sometimes bob offshore, watching the human parade with glossy indifference.\n\nYou'll share this shoreline with locals walking terriers before work shifts and retirees who've perfected the art of reading paperbacks in folding chairs despite the breeze. The urban convenience cuts both ways: restrooms exist, parking rarely fills, and if the weather turns you can retreat to a brewpub within five minutes. No one pretends this is wilderness, but the horizon still erases the highway behind you.","teaser":"Watch the D River—all 120 feet of it—spill into the Pacific just steps from Highway 101. Salt spray mingles with the scent of frying fish and chips from roadside shacks, while neon-bright kites twist against gunmetal skies. Families claim wide, flat territory between driftwood logs.","uniqueAngle":"A legitimately expansive beach reachable without leaving the strip of motels, outlet stores, and cafés that define an Oregon coast town.","accessType":"Drive-up","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"surf","title":"Fly Stunt Kites","subtitle":"Steady wind rewards first-timers"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Hunt Beach Agates","subtitle":"Check gravel at tideline"},{"icon":"hike","title":"Walk to Nelscott","subtitle":"Two miles south on sand"},{"icon":"food","title":"Fish and Chips","subtitle":"Roadside shacks serve locals too"}],"audience":{"surfer":"You'll find beach break peaks scattered along the stretch, best on incoming tide with northwest swells pushing four to six feet. The sandbar shifts seasonally, so scout before paddling out—closeouts dominate during big winter storms. Locals favor early mornings before the kite fliers claim the shore break zone. Water temps hover in the low fifties year-round; bring a 4/3 and booties. The crowd's mellow but give space to the regulars who know which peaks hold shape.","couples":"Walk south toward the Siletz Bay jetty as the sun drops behind the marine layer, turning the wet sand into a pewter mirror. Book a room with a balcony at Starfish Manor or the Inn at Spanish Head a mile south—both offer gas fireplaces and ocean-facing windows. For dinner, skip the tourist traps and reserve a table at Blackfish Cafe, where the halibut changes with the day's catch. Morning coffee tastes better on the sand with blankets and thermoses, watching fog banks dissolve into blue.","backpacker":"The City of Lincoln City operates a free parking lot at the beach access; sleep in your van without hassle if you're discreet. Public restrooms and outdoor showers mean you can rinse salt and skip paid campgrounds. Grab breakfast burritos under seven dollars at Nelscott Cafe, or build sandwiches from the Safeway deli two blocks inland. The county bus runs Highway 101 for two dollars, connecting you to Depot Bay and Newport if you're working your way down the coast.","local":"Hit the beach before eight on weekday mornings when the only tracks belong to sanderlings and the occasional surfer checking swell. The stretch between 21st and 27th Streets sees fewer tourists—most cluster near the D River sign for photos. After September, you reclaim the entire shoreline; even weekends stay quiet. Check the tide chart and go two hours before low tide for the best agate hunting near the river mouth where storm runoff deposits new stones.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"D River Beach has cold Pacific Ocean waters year-round (typically 48-58°F) and can have strong currents, rip tides, and sneaker waves. Swimming is possible but challenging due to cold temperatures; wetsuits are recommended. The beach is popular for wading and playing in the shallow waters where the D River meets the ocean. Always supervise children closely, stay aware of wave patterns, and avoid turning your back on the ocean. Lifeguards are not typically on duty, so exercise caution and check local conditions before entering the water.","q":"Is D River Beach safe for swimming and what are the water conditions?"},{"a":"D River Beach is accessible year-round, with each season offering different experiences. Summer (June-September) brings the warmest, driest weather with temperatures in the 60s-70s°F, ideal for families and kite flying. Fall and spring offer fewer crowds and good storm watching opportunities. Winter is popular for dramatic wave watching and beachcombing, though expect rain and wind. Coastal fog is common in mornings during summer. The beach's urban location in Lincoln City means easy access regardless of season, though visiting during weekdays reduces crowds considerably.","q":"When is the best time to visit D River Beach and what's the weather like?"},{"a":"D River Beach is located directly off Highway 101 in central Lincoln City at the D River Wayside State Recreation Site. The beach has a dedicated parking lot accessible from both northbound and southbound 101, with clearly marked entrances. Parking is free and typically available, though summer weekends can fill up. The lot accommodates RVs and has accessible spaces. From the parking area, it's a very short, easy walk across a footbridge over the D River to reach the beach. Additional street parking is available along nearby residential areas if needed.","q":"How do I get to D River Beach and where can I park?"},{"a":"D River Beach sits in the heart of Lincoln City, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and hotels within easy walking distance. The beach has restrooms and picnic areas at the wayside. Numerous dining options line Highway 101, from casual fish and chips to sit-down restaurants. Major hotel chains and oceanfront resorts are located within blocks of the beach. Grocery stores, including a Safeway, are nearby for picnic supplies. The Lincoln City Outlets are less than a mile away. This urban beach setting means you'll have full amenities unlike more remote Oregon coast beaches.","q":"What food, amenities, and lodging options are near D River Beach?"},{"a":"D River, which flows into the ocean at this beach, was once listed in Guinness World Records as the world's shortest river at approximately 120 feet long. While this title has been contested (the Roe River in Montana also claims it), the D River remains exceptionally short, connecting Devil's Lake to the Pacific Ocean. You can easily see the entire river from the footbridge when accessing the beach. The river's name simply comes from nearby Devil's Lake. It's a unique geographic quirk that makes this beach distinctive along the Oregon coast.","q":"Is it true that D River Beach has the world's shortest river?"}]},"seo":{"title":"D River Beach: Lincoln City's Urban Shoreline on Oregon Coast","description":"Where the world's shortest river meets the Pacific, this family-friendly Lincoln City beach offers kite flying, tide pools, and sunset strolls steps from downtown.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52708661523_a0b3e95ac6_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"533156","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/484/31796917134_f0f47c8619_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/484/31796917134_f0f47c8619.jpg","alt":"Mammut americanum (American mastodon) (Pleistocene; Aucilla River, Jefferson County, Florida, USA) 8"},{"id":"533159","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1946/31056192188_46657e3053_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1946/31056192188_46657e3053.jpg","alt":"Jennifer Beckensteiner"},{"id":"533163","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8480/8193151076_5e0c120b3e_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8480/8193151076_5e0c120b3e.jpg","alt":"Opuntia Cactus flower, Carvoeiro, Portugal - 1464"}]}}