1 min
Overview
The view from Oceanside's beach is dramatic: offshore are the Three Arch Rocks (Shag Rock, Finley or Mid Rock, Storm Rock), a national wildlife refuge and wilderness area closed to the public; to the north is sheer-sided Maxwell Point, seemingly impregnable but pierced by a 90-year-old tunnel leading to secret beaches. Cape Lookout's long volcanic headland juts into the Pacific on the southern horizon. While the beach at Oceanside itself may be busy, two "secret" beaches to the north, Tunnel and Agate, can be reached for part of the day. The walk down towards Netarts sees fewer and fewer holidayers, and you'll end the hike at Netarts Basin and picnic spot. Be warned that the northern coves and the beach past Happy Camp to the south may not be accessible at high tide. From the parking area, head down to the beach. Cape Lookout juts out to the south and Maxwell Point is just to your north. Three Arch Rocks loom offshore. With binoculars, in winter you may be able to see Steller’s sea lions loafing on Seal Rock. In spring, look also for large numbers of breeding tufted puffins and common murres. Walk north on the beach first. Approach the tunnel through Maxwell Point that was constructed in 1926. Heed the warning sign about rocks coming down from above (You can walk around the point, rather than go through the tunnel, at low tide). The tunnel itself may have standing water in the wet season. Come out on the cobbled strand of Tunnel Beach, also called Isolation Beach, with its little sea stacks protruding from the ocean on the far side. After wobbling across the little beach, climb up the closest rock to the beach and get a view of Cape Meares to the north. The rock is studded with fossil barnacles that are forming little crystal zeolites in their centers. From here, you can proceed to the next beach, little Agate Beach, reachable when the tide is out. Beyond Agate Beach is the almost inaccessible Lost Boy Cave Beach, best attempted at a minus tide. The cave is in the headland at the north end of the beach and for
Trail Stats
0.0 km
6 m
6 m
0 m
—
Photos
400px-OceansideNetartsMap
400px-OceansideNetartsMap
250px-OceansideNetarts4
250px-OceansideNetarts4
250px-Emerging_onto_Tunnel_Beach%2C_Oceanside
250px-Emerging_onto_Tunnel_Beach%2C_Oceanside
250px-Three_Arch_Rocks_from_Oceanside_Beach
250px-Three_Arch_Rocks_from_Oceanside_Beach
400px-OceansideNetarts2
400px-OceansideNetarts2