One of the best scenic drives in Oregon is the Three Capes Scenic Route. It starts near Cape Meares, ends near Cape Kiwanda, and includes Cape Lookout. It’s a beautiful drive along the Oregon Coast.

Along the Way

Cape Meares

Gorgeous view near the Cape Meares Lighthouse.

Oceanside

One of my favorite beaches is a hidden gem in Oceanside.

Netarts

Netarts is popular for fishing and crabbing, both with humans and harbor seals.

Whiskey Creek Fish Hatchery

Cape Lookout

Cape Lookout State Park has a day use area and also a campground. I remember camping here as a kid, but haven’t been here in a long time.

Anderson Viewpoint

Anderson Viewpoint gives a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, Three Arch Rocks and Netarts Bay. It is a popular spot for hang gliders.
It’s still pretty, but not quite as impressive on a rainy day.

Sand Lake Recreation Area

Sand Lake is a highly popular place to ride atv’s on sand dunes.

Whalen Island

Whalen Island used to just be a small county campground. But now includes Clay Meyers State Natural Area. We haven’t camped here in years. We would dive at Whalen Island usually for special events such as taking a Rescue Class. We also did our annual pumpkin carving dive at Whalen Island. It’s harder than one would think. Pumpkins like to float, so you quickly had to pull out the guts. Also, using a dive knife to carve with is not easy.

Cape Kiwanda

And last, but not least, along the route is Cape Kiwanda.

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Cape Kiwanda is the southern most cape along the Three Capes Scenic Route. It is home to Haystack Rock. However, it is not the well known Haystack Rock that is in Cannon Beach.

When I think about Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City, this is the view that automatically comes to mind.

Across the street are stores, a hotel and an rv park.

Cape Kiwanda

The tip of the cape.

It can get pretty beat up by the waves.

The Dory Fleet

This is a popular place for dory boats to brave the waves and launch right from the beach to head out for a day of fishing.

I have a whale of a tale about this rock.
In my previous adult life prior to children, I was a scuba diver. The plan one day was to dive at Haystack Rock. As divers, we used zodiacs, not dory’s to cross the surf. I’m not going to lie, it’s scary flying through those waves in a tiny, inflatable boat. We reached the rock and my hubby & I hopped in the water descending into murky, rough water. We couldn’t see much past our hands. We were hoping to see a sunfish, but we did not. I don’t remember seeing much of anything except krill. We cut our dive short due to the conditions, got back in the zodiac, & headed back to shore. Once on the beach, we looked back at the rock to see a whale spouting right where we had been diving. We had to have been near that whale, but since we couldn’t see more than a couple feet neither one of us saw it. I wonder if the whale saw us?

Vehicles can only drive a little way up the beach before getting to a sign prohibiting them from going further.

The Beach

There is a lot to see while walking in the sand.

Birds at Haystack Rock

Fun in the Waves

Oregon beaches are often not sunny & warm. We jump in the waves anyway.

Pelican Pub & Brewery

There are other options for food in Pacific City, but I’ve only eaten at the Pelican Pub & Brewery. Apparently, I am a creature of habit. The food is good & the view is nice. I’m not a beer drinker, so I can’t comment on the brewery.

One Last Glimpse of Haystack Rock

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