One of the most spectacular spots on the Oregon Coast, a coastline full of spectacular spots, is the small village of Oceanside, almost directly west of Tillamook. This small town is built for the most part on the side of a hill rising steeply from the Pacific and overlooking the Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Preserve. This 2 mile walk will take you up and back down the steep hill on which the town is perched and then along the beach itself, including an interesting surprise at the end.
Start the walk at the Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site parking lot. Don't go down to the beach just yet - instead you will be going up this hillside of houses for some spectacular views back toward the ocean and the rocks. The Recreation Site is for day use only. The land was donated to the state by very public-minded local property owners.
Start up the hill on Maxwell Mountain Road. Where the road turns to the left it becomes a one-way street, for what will soon become an obvious reason. The warning sign pictured is also very good advice.
The road is narrow and unpaved, but fortunately traffic is very light and very slow. The views are spectacular. The rocks you see offshore are the
Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1907 as the first national wildlife refuge on the Pacific coast. The story of the establishment of the refuge can be found
here.
As you continue up the hill you will also see some spectacular examples of hillside architecture, such as this house. All with great views, and hopefully all with solid geotechnical foundations!
The road makes a hairpin turn to the right above Maxwell Point - once past the turn take the road that goes more to the left, farther up the hill. On Maxwell Point is an abandoned (as of 2016) hotel. Until 1968 this spectacular spot was home to the Viewpoint Inn. It was replaced by the current buildings, once known as the House on the Hill and then the Clifftop Motel. It's unclear why the motel closed - there is an interesting
court case involving a same-sex couple, artificial insemination, and parental rights, but the two were managers of the motel, not owners. It is hard to imagine failing in the motel business at this particular site.
Continuing up the hill on Maxwell Mountain Road the street remains narrow and unpaved, the sparse traffic is slow, the houses are precariously perched, and the views are fabulous.
Continue up and up. Eventually you will get to this viewpoint along the road, also the location where Maxwell Mountain Road makes another hairpin turn up the hill. You, however, will turn right onto Cedar Street and start heading down the hill along the roadway.
Cedar Street has plenty of trees along its sides as you head down the hill. At the intersection of Cedar and Chinook Streets is this unusual home, trying to take advantage of the view opportunities above the trees toward the ocean.
Continue straight, as the street you are on is now Chinook Avenue, continuing on a more gentle slope down the hill. On the right is the
Oceanside Chapel, the only religious institution in town. The non-denominational congregation meets for worship on Saturday evenings. The chapel also serves as a designated emergency gathering place after the
big earthquake and tsunami some day.
At Lilac Street turn right, and after one block turn left onto Sunset Avenue. Walk four blocks on Sunset Avenue to Cape Meares Loop, a major street. Turn right here and go one block to Pacific Avenue, where you will turn right. Pacific Avenue is the "main street" of Oceanside, with a post office, a few shops, and several restaurants.
Eventually you will get back to your starting point at the Oceanside Beach State Wayside, but don't finish this walk quite yet!. Go from the parking lot down to the beach and turn right. Bring along a flashlight if you can.
Oceanside beach is one of the most scenic on the Oregon Coast, and that is hearty praise! As you walk along the sand (your precise location will depend upon the tide) enjoy the views of the Three Arch Rocks and the bird life that is often nearby on the sands.
Ahead is Maxwell Point, and this tunnel entrance. There's a sign at the entrance warning of rock falls, but go ahead and peer in. You'll see light at the end of the tunnel - this is definitely no dead end! The
Maxell Point tunnel was built in the early 20th century and is currently passable. But the floor of the tunnel is quite rocky in its middle, which is why you should have the flashlight along.
And this is the view from the tunnel's north portal. It is known as Lost Boy Beach, and if you want to extend your walk, continue north until you run out of beach near Cape Meares. And then head back through the tunnel, back along Oceanside Beach, to your starting point at the Wayside.
