With seven miles of picturesque sandy shoreline and a chain of inland lakes left behind by a long-ago channel of the Nehalem River, Rockaway Beach is one of the coast's most popular spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Boating, fishing, crabbing, and sand-castle building are just a few of the area's star attractions. Just south of town, photographers flock to the beautiful Twin Rocks for a jaw-dropping image of the sun sinking below the horizon. During the summer months, take a ride along the historic Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad, departing from Rockaway Beach's iconic "Little Red Caboose".

All the equipment needed to catch your own dinner, be it Dungeness crab, Coho salmon, or clams, can be found and rented at facilities such as the iconic Jetty Fishery. When you've had your fill of seafood, consider St. Louis-style ribs at Woody's BBQ or the daily breakfast specials at the Whale Spout for a change of pace.

Rockaway Beach is less than two hours' drive from Portland, and only fifteen minutes north of Tillamook's dining, shopping, and famous Cheese Factory. Rockaway Beach makes an excellent home base to spend a day exploring the best of the Northern Oregon Coast; the shops & galleries of Cannon Beach, boardwalks of Seaside, and laid-back lifestyle of Manzanita are all within an hour's drive north. Head south and take in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Three Capes Scenic Drive, or just relax on the beach at Rockaway. After all, that is why people have been flocking here for over a century.