The Oregon Coast: Short Sand Beach

The weather looked promising. Rarely does the Oregon coast get days of sunshine in March and the winter months, but the forecast said sun, so we made our way east from Portland to the coast for some hiking and salty air.

Only an hour and a half away, Short Sands Beach in Oswald State Park is a perfect destination for a day of relaxation, surfing, or leisurely hiking.

Path to the beach

Stroll down the beach

Hiking along coast south of Short Sand Beach

There is a short 1.3 mile hike south from the beach along some large cliffs, and then another 2.5 mile hike up to the top of Mount Neahkahnie providing some amazing views.

View from cliff looking north

At the far end of the beach a spectacular waterfall falls onto the sand and drains into the ocean.

It’s gorgeous! Go!

Getting There

From Portland, take U.S. Highway 26 west and then turn south on Highway 101.
Drive south on 101 for 14 miles and you’ll see parking along the right side of the highway and a trail head.

From the parking lot, it’s a short quarter mile jaunt through the forest to the beach.