Exploring Netarts, Oceanside, Cape Meares, Tillamook & Garibaldi: Coastal Adventures Near Your Stay

Staying near Netarts opens the door to some of the Oregon Coast’s most memorable adventures—from dramatic cliffside lighthouses and hidden beaches to fresh seafood, fishing charters, and quiet bay days on the water. This stretch of coastline offers a different kind of coastal experience: slower paced, less crowded, and full of places that feel like local secrets.

Whether you are planning lighthouse day trips, looking for family-friendly beaches, or booking a fishing charter out of Garibaldi, here are some of our favorite places to explore near your stay with Pacific View Lodging.

Cape Meares Lighthouse – Small but Legendary

Cape Meares Lighthouse may be the shortest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast, but it is one of the most memorable. Perched dramatically on the cliffs above the Pacific, it offers incredible ocean views, steep forested trails, and one of the most photographed viewpoints on the north coast.

Its historic red Fresnel lens became famous after mysteriously disappearing in 2010 before later being recovered. One fun detail about Cape Meares is that it is one of the few lighthouses where the trail approaches from above—visitors first arrive at the lantern room itself, seeing the light and lens before ever walking down to the lighthouse grounds. Today, visitors come for the views, the history, and one of the best lighthouse stops anywhere on the coast.

The Octopus Tree – One of Oregon’s Strangest Landmarks

Just minutes from the lighthouse sits one of the coast’s most unusual attractions: the Octopus Tree. Unlike a normal Sitka spruce, this massive tree splits low into multiple giant limbs, creating the appearance of enormous tentacles reaching skyward.

The Octopus Tree is estimated to be around 250 to 300 years old, stands about 105 feet tall, and has no central trunk at all—just massive limbs that stretch outward like giant tentacles before turning skyward. Some believe powerful coastal winds shaped it naturally, while others believe it may have been intentionally trained by Tillamook tribal communities as a ceremonial gathering place, sometimes called the Council Tree. Its unusual history even earned it a feature in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. It is a quick stop, easy for families, and one of those places guests always remember.

Oceanside + Tunnel Beach

Oceanside feels like a hidden beach town in the best way. The beach itself is beautiful, but the real adventure is the tunnel built into the headland at low tide. Walk through it and you will discover a secluded stretch of shoreline with incredible views of Three Arch Rocks.

Maxwell Point creates one of the most interesting contrasts on the coast. On the Oceanside parking lot side, you will find a wide sandy beach perfect for a classic beach day. Walk through the tunnel, and everything changes—the shoreline becomes dramatically rocky, rugged, and wild, with tide pools, crashing surf, and incredible views of Three Arch Rocks. Rockhounds especially love visiting at low tide after the Oregon Coast’s big Pacific storms, when the beach can reveal all kinds of treasures. It is one of the most unique beach walks on the Oregon Coast and a favorite for guests looking for something that feels a little more adventurous than a standard beach day.

Netarts Bay – Crabbing, Clamming & Quiet Coastal Days

Netarts Bay offers a different pace than the open coast. Calm water, peaceful views, and easy access to crabbing, clamming, kayaking, and paddleboarding make it one of the best places for guests who want a quieter outdoor experience.

This is where locals go to slow down. It is perfect for families, shellfish lovers, and anyone who prefers bay views and peaceful mornings over crowded tourist stops. Netarts Bay also offers one of the easiest small boat launch accesses on the coast, making it a favorite for guests bringing their own boat for crabbing, fishing, or exploring the bay. If you are staying at Pacific View Lodging’s Surf Inn property, there is even convenient parking available for small boats right on-site.

Tillamook Creamery – A Family Favorite

Sometimes the best vacation stop is cheese, ice cream, and a great lunch. Tillamook Creamery is one of the easiest family-friendly day trips near Netarts and a perfect rainy-day backup when the coast decides to be extra coastal.

Guests can tour exhibits, watch the production floor, enjoy fresh ice cream, and stock up on local favorites before heading back to the beach. For guests looking for something extra special, Tillamook also offers premium small-group experiences including private ice cream tastings with their sensory team, guided cheese tasting experiences featuring their Maker’s Reserve Vintage White Cheddars, and even early-access guided tours before general admission. Whether you want to be an honorary supertaster or enjoy a deeper look into Tillamook’s cheesemaking history dating back to 1909, these upgraded experiences make a great addition to a coastal getaway.

Bayocean Peninsula – The Town That Fell Into the Sea

For guests who enjoy a little history with their coastal exploring, Bayocean Peninsula is one of the most fascinating stops near Tillamook Bay. Once promoted as a grand seaside resort community, Bayocean had homes, hotels, roads, and big dreams before erosion and changing ocean conditions slowly erased the town from the map.  As you walk the trails you will find makers indicating where structures were once located... the last building fell into the ocean in the 1960s.

Today, it is a quiet place for walking, birdwatching, beachcombing, and imagining what once stood there. It may be a “history adventure,” but the story of a resort town swallowed by the sea has just enough mystery to make it memorable for curious travelers.

Munson Creek Falls – An Easy Waterfall Day Trip

If you want to trade beach sand for forest shade, Munson Creek Falls is an easy and rewarding side trip from the Tillamook area. The waterfall drops dramatically through a lush Coast Range setting and is often described as the tallest waterfall in Oregon’s Coast Range.

The short walk to the falls makes it a great add-on for families, photographers, and anyone who wants a quieter nature stop between coastal adventures. It is a beautiful reminder that this part of Oregon is not just beaches and bays—it is also forests, creeks, and hidden green places worth slowing down for.

Fishing Trips from Garibaldi

For guests looking for a true Oregon Coast adventure, Garibaldi fishing charters are hard to beat. Charter boats run for salmon, halibut, lingcod, bottom fish, and even crabbing trips depending on the season.

Whether you are a serious angler or just want a memorable day on the water, Garibaldi offers one of the best charter fishing experiences on the north coast and makes a fantastic addition to a longer stay.

Tips for Exploring the North Coast

Bring layers—even sunny mornings can turn windy fast near Cape Meares. Check tide times before visiting Tunnel Beach in Oceanside, and if you are planning fishing charters, reserve early during peak salmon and halibut season.

This part of the coast rewards slower travel. Give yourself time to stop at scenic pullouts, take the side trail, and follow the local recommendation—you will usually be glad you did.

Stay Close to the Best of Netarts & Cape Meares

From lighthouse mornings and hidden beaches to fresh seafood and fishing charters, the north Oregon Coast offers unforgettable adventures just minutes from your stay. Whether you are exploring Oceanside, planning a day at Cape Meares, or heading to Garibaldi before sunrise, Pacific View Lodging puts you close to it all.

Book your stay at Netarts Surf Inn, slow down, and discover why Netarts is one of the Oregon Coast’s best-kept secrets.