Attractions and Places To See around Netarts - Top 11

The Netarts area offers a variety of hiking experiences. You can explore the Cape Lookout Trail, known for its rainforest sections, ocean views, and opportunities for whale watching. For a unique coastal experience, consider the Bayocean Peninsula, which offers longer trails. There are also trails leading to hidden gems like Tunnel Beach, accessible via a short, scenic hike. For more options, you can check out the Hiking around Netarts guide.

Yes, Netarts has several easy hiking options. The Easy hikes around Netarts guide lists trails like the Cape Meares Viewpoint and Octopus Tree Trail, which is a short walk to a distinctive natural landmark. The Oceanside Beach to Tunnel Beach Trail is also an easy, scenic option, particularly at low tide. The Netarts Spit Trail offers a gentle walk along the bay.

Netarts Bay is the heart of the area's natural beauty. You can enjoy stunning views from various points, including the sand spit that is part of Cape Lookout State Park. The bay is ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, crabbing, and clamming. It's also a significant spot for observing diverse marine life, migratory birds, and picturesque sunrises and sunsets. The Netarts Bay Wikipedia page provides more background.

The Netarts area is rich in history. A prominent landmark is the Cape Meares Lighthouse, built in 1890, offering panoramic coastal views. The Octopus Tree, a unique Sitka spruce, is also historically significant as an Indian meeting place. The Bayocean Peninsula has a rich history worth exploring, including tales of shipwrecks and early settler activities.

Absolutely. The Octopus Tree, a short drive from Netarts, is a unique 200-year-old Sitka spruce with branches spreading like an octopus. Another hidden gem is Tunnel Beach, accessible via a scenic hike, featuring a dramatic rock tunnel leading to a secluded sandy cove, perfect for exploring tide pools at low tide.

Families can enjoy a variety of activities. The Tillamook Creamery, a short drive away, offers tours, tastings of cheese and ice cream, and a market. Easy hikes like those to the Octopus Tree or Tunnel Beach are suitable for families. Beachcombing, tide pooling, and whale watching (during migration seasons) are also popular family activities. The Cape Meares Lighthouse is also considered family-friendly.

Netarts offers outdoor activities year-round, but the best time depends on your interests. Spring and fall are excellent for hiking and enjoying milder weather. Whale watching is particularly good during migration seasons, typically December-January and March. Summer provides warmer weather for beach activities, while winter offers a dramatic coastal experience, though some trails can be muddy.

Beyond hiking, Netarts Bay is a hub for water-based activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, crabbing, and clamming. Road cycling is also popular, with routes like the Tillamook Three Capes Loop. You can find more cycling options in the Road Cycling Routes around Netarts guide. Beachcombing and exploring tide pools are also favorite pastimes.

For a local dining experience, The Schooner Restaurant & Lounge is popular for its farm-to-table and sea-to-table dishes, scenic views, and extensive wine cellar. The nearby Tillamook Creamery offers a cafeteria with burgers, mac & cheese, and, of course, famous ice cream. Foodies might also enjoy a tour of the Jacobsen Salt Company on Netarts Bay to learn about and purchase gourmet sea salt.

Yes, Netarts is excellent for wildlife viewing. Netarts Bay is significant for migratory and wintering shorebirds, waterfowl, and marine mammals. During migration seasons (typically December-January and March), you can spot whales from viewpoints like Cape Lookout Trail and Cape Meares Lighthouse. Tide pools at beaches like Tunnel Beach also offer glimpses of marine invertebrates.

The Cape Meares Lighthouse, built in 1890, is Oregon's shortest lighthouse but offers outstanding panoramic views of the Pacific coastline. It's a prime spot for whale watching during migration periods. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about its history and enjoy the surrounding overlook spots. The nearby Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint also features the largest Sitka Spruce in Oregon.

The Cape Lookout Trail offers amazing ocean views and rainforest sections. It's a five-mile round-trip hike. Visitors recommend wearing boots, not just shoes, as parts of the trail can get muddy. March is often highlighted as a fantastic time for whale watching from the cape. The trail takes you along high cliffs, providing breathtaking vistas.