Of course, we all know Oregon’s classic beach towns, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Pacific City, and Lincoln City, but have you visited Rockaway Beach? If those places feel a little busy or over-planned these days, Rockaway Beach offers something increasingly rare: a coastal getaway that still feels calm, approachable, and wonderfully human-sized.
Rockaway Beach is the kind of place that invites you to slow way down. Tucked along the northern Oregon Coast, this easygoing seaside town delivers big on simple pleasures, without the crowds or chaos of more built-up destinations. It’s small-town coastal living at its best, where the tides, not a schedule, set the rhythm of the day.
The town itself is walkable, friendly, and refreshingly unpretentious. Instead of towering hotels or packed boardwalks, you’ll find cozy beach houses, quiet streets, and local businesses that feel genuinely glad you stopped by. Kids can wander without parents hovering, and parents can finally unclench their shoulders. It’s the kind of place where you wave at strangers, and no one thinks twice about it.
The beach, though, is the real star. Wide, flat, and endlessly inviting, it’s perfect for long walks, sandcastle marathons, kite flying, and slow beachcombing. On clear days, Twin Rocks rise dramatically from the water, anchoring the horizon and reminding you just how expansive this stretch of coastline feels. There’s room here, physically and mentally, to breathe.
Located about 1.5 to 2 hours from Portland, Rockaway Beach makes an ideal destination for a long weekend or a spontaneous getaway. The drive along Highway 26 and down the coast is scenic without being stressful, and once you arrive, there’s very little reason to get back in the car. Garibaldi is just minutes away, and Tillamook—home to the famous Tillamook Creamery and, hands-down, one of the best Fred Meyer’s in the Pacific Northwest- is an easy and worthwhile side trip.
Rockaway Beach isn’t about jam-packed itineraries, and that’s exactly the magic. Beach time, beach time, beach time. Digging holes, spotting jellyfish, tossing frisbees, watching the waves roll in, none of it gets old. Time stretches here in the best possible way.
For a special adventure, hop aboard the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. The vintage train runs between Rockaway Beach and Garibaldi and feels like stepping into another era. It’s a total hit with kids and charming enough for adults to love, too. Evenings are made for slow sunset walks, when the beach grows quiet, and the sky puts on a soft, glowing show. And if you happen to visit during the kite festival, the sky fills with color and motion, adding an extra layer of wonder to an already magical place.
Nature lovers will appreciate the Rockaway Beach Big Tree Trailhead, located just off Highway 101. The gentle, mile-long trail is perfect for families and casual hikers, with benches and picnic areas along the way. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the payoff is extraordinary: the Big Cedar Tree, estimated to be between 900 and 1,200 years old. Standing 154 feet tall with a 50-foot circumference, it has survived storms, fires, earthquakes, and even tsunamis, a quiet, powerful reminder of the resilience of Oregon’s coastal forests.
And you can’t leave without eating well. Old Oregon Smokehouse, right on the main street, often has a line out the door, and it earns every minute of the wait. Fish and chips, oysters, chowder, crab melts, it’s all excellent. Pro tip: order the prawns. Or stop by Pronto Pup, the birthplace of the corn dog. You can’t miss the building; it has a giant corn dog on it. It is excellent for a nostalgic bite that feels exactly right at the beach.
One of Rockaway Beach’s greatest gifts is how naturally it encourages families to unplug. There’s no pressure to “do it all.” Days unfold gently: breakfast, beach, lunch, beach again, naps or board games, sunset walks. Kids fall asleep easily. Parents breathe more deeply. Everyone feels a little more grounded.
Rockaway Beach may not have flashy attractions or a long list of must-see landmarks, but that’s precisely why families love it. It’s a place where kids can be kids, parents can rest, and together you can enjoy the simple, timeless joy of being by the sea. If your idea of the perfect family trip includes salty air, sandy shoes, and memories made without rushing, Rockaway Beach, Oregon, is waiting.
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.
