Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site
🏆🏆 North Coast Beach Access — Quiet beach access point on the Northern Oregon Coast near Gearhart
Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site provides direct beach access on the Northern Oregon Coast between Gearhart and Warrenton. The wide, sandy beach stretches for miles in both directions, offering beachcombing, kite flying, and views of Tillamook Head to the south. The site provides parking and a short path over the dunes to the beach — a less crowded alternative to nearby Seaside and Cannon Beach.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Near Gearhart, Clatsop County, OR |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Beach | Wide sandy beach, miles long |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this better than Seaside or Cannon Beach?
If you want solitude, yes — Del Rey Beach sees far fewer visitors than the nearby tourist towns. The wide beach is excellent for long walks and kite flying without the crowds.
About Del Rey Beach
Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site provides access to a quiet stretch of beach between Lincoln City and Pacific City on the northern Oregon coast. The beach is less crowded than nearby Lincoln City beaches and offers a peaceful alternative for those seeking solitude. Sand dunes back the beach, providing wind shelter for picnics.
Things to Do
Beachcombing, kite flying, and beach walks along the wide, flat sand. Agate hunting is productive after winter storms. The site connects to the Nestucca Bay trail system. Nearby Cascade Head offers one of the finest coastal hikes in Oregon — a steep climb to meadow viewpoints with panoramic ocean views.
Insider Tips
Beach access: Del Rey Beach provides easy access to one of the widest sandy beaches on the northern Oregon coast. Pro tip: The beach extends for miles north — perfect for long walks. Agate hunting: Oregon beaches are famous for agates — look for translucent stones in the gravel at the high tide line, especially after winter storms churn up the beach.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Warmest beach weather (still bring a jacket — Oregon coast rarely exceeds 70°F). Winter: Storm watching and best agate hunting. Spring: Whale watching from the beach. Fall: Fewest crowds, clear days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find agates on Oregon beaches?
Look in gravel patches at the high tide line — agates are translucent when held to the light. The best hunting is after winter storms expose fresh material. Wet agates glow with internal light — carry a spray bottle to wet promising stones.
Wildlife & Nature
Del Rey Beach provides access to the northern Oregon coast’s wide sandy beaches — part of Oregon’s remarkable public beach system. Oregon’s Beach Bill of 1967 — championed by Governor Tom McCall — declared all Oregon beaches public from the water to the vegetation line, making Oregon one of the few states where every inch of ocean beach is publicly accessible. The beach supports razor clam digging (during open seasons), beachcombing for Japanese glass floats (a Tillamook Coast tradition), and exceptional birdwatching. Snowy plovers nest on the undeveloped sections. Brown pelicans — whose populations crashed from DDT but recovered dramatically — patrol the surf line. During winter storms, wave watching draws visitors to see 30-foot+ waves crash against the shore.
Nearby Attractions
Tillamook and its famous Tillamook Creamery are nearby. Cape Meares State Park features the Octopus Tree and seabird colonies. Three Capes Scenic Loop offers one of Oregon’s most dramatic coastal drives. Bay City and Garibaldi provide Tillamook Bay access for crabbing and fishing. Tillamook Air Museum occupies a WWII blimp hangar. Pioneer Museum in Tillamook covers regional history. Kilchis Point Reserve in Bay City offers interpretive trails through estuary and forest habitat.
🏖️ Visit Del Rey Beach SRS
Quiet North Coast — miles of sandy beach without Seaside crowds.
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