Cruising the Three Capes Scenic Drive: Pacific City’s Coastal Crown Jewel
If the Oregon Coast were a necklace, the Three Capes Scenic Drive would be its sparkling centerpiece — a 40-mile ribbon of winding cliffs, hidden beaches, windswept viewpoints, and coastal history. This loop, starting right in Pacific City, showcases three of the most spectacular headlands on the coast: Cape Kiwanda, Cape Lookout, and Cape Meares. Along the way you’ll find small fishing towns, quirky cafes, ancient trees, and ocean views that make you forget what day it is.
Cape Kiwanda: The Sandstone Showstopper
Your first cape — and one of Oregon’s most photographed spots — sits right in Pacific City. Cape Kiwanda is a playground of towering dunes, honey-gold sandstone cliffs, and foaming surf.
Climb the steep dune (don’t worry, everyone is huffing and puffing), and you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Haystack Rock rising from the Pacific like a giant’s chess piece. This is also one of the best spots in the state for dory boat watching — these flat-bottomed fishing boats launch and land directly from the beach in dramatic fashion.
Best viewpoints:
- From the top of the dune for sunrise or sunset.
- The southern edge of the cape for wave-watching.
Don’t miss: A pint and fish & chips at Pelican Brewing Company, which has front-row ocean seating.
Cape Lookout: The Hiker’s Dream
Next, you’ll follow the coast north toward Cape Lookout State Park, passing through stretches of forest where the scent of Sitka spruce hangs in the air. Cape Lookout’s most famous feature is the Cape Trail, a five-mile round trip that leads you along the spine of the cape, surrounded by ocean views on both sides.
From the tip, on a clear day, you can see nearly 40 miles of coastline in both directions. Migrating whales often pass close enough to watch without binoculars.
Best viewpoints:
- Anderson’s Viewpoint (just south of the park) for a dramatic cliffside look at the cape.
- The North Trail for a quieter hike to a secluded beach.
Cape Meares: Lighthouse & Legends
Your final cape feels like a step back in time. Cape Meares Lighthouse is the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, but what it lacks in height, it makes up for in charm. Built in 1890, it’s now open for tours in summer months.
Nearby, the famous Octopus Tree — a 300-year-old Sitka spruce with branches spreading like tentacles — is steeped in legend. Coastal stories claim it was once a ceremonial tree for Native tribes. The cape’s viewpoints offer wide ocean panoramas and, in summer, nesting puffins on the offshore rocks.
Best viewpoints:
- The lighthouse viewpoint for sunset.
- The upper parking area, which overlooks Three Arch Rocks Wildlife Refuge.
Itinerary: The Three Capes Scenic Drive
Here’s how you can tackle the route starting in Pacific City and ending in Tillamook:
Stop #
Location
Highlights
Suggested Time
1
Pacific City & Cape Kiwanda
Sand dune climb, Haystack Rock, dory boat watching, Pelican Brewing lunch.
1–2 hours
2
Sand Lake Recreation Area
ATV riding, dune exploration, beach walks.
30–60 min
3
Anderson’s Viewpoint
Quick cliffside photo stop.
10 min
4
Cape Lookout State Park
Cape Trail hike, whale watching, beachcombing.
1–3 hours
5
Netarts Bay
Oyster farms, kayaking, bird watching.
30–60 min
6
Oceanside
Beach tunnel to hidden cove, coffee break.
30–60 min
7
Cape Meares Lighthouse & Octopus Tree
Historic lighthouse, legendary tree, puffin spotting.
1 hour
8
Tillamook Creamery
Ice cream, cheese sampling, factory tour.
30–60 min
When to Go
- Spring/Fall: Prime for whale migration, wildflowers, and lighter crowds.
- Summer: Long days, sunny weather (plus a touch of fog for drama).
- Winter: The coast at its wildest — ideal for storm watching.
Travel Tips
- The drive is about 40 miles, but with all the stops, give yourself at least a half-day — a full day if you plan to hike.
- Bring layers — the Oregon Coast can shift from sunny to misty in minutes.
- Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially elk in the meadows near Netarts.
A journey stitched together by ocean spray, pine-scented air, and a sense of wonder that stays with you. And yes, the ice cream at the end tastes even better when you’ve earned it.
