A trip to Pacific City is one of the best weekend getaways from Portland. Only a two-hour drive from the city, it’s an easy decision to book a quick trip out to the ocean!
Pacific City can be a quiet destination that will refresh your soul, AND simultaneously be full of adventure!
In this post, we’re going to share how to spend a weekend in Pacific City, Oregon. We’re breaking down the best places to stay, and sharing what to do around the area. We’re also giving you a free itinerary to easily plan it all yourself!
Let’s get started.
How To Spend 3 Days In Pacific City, Oregon
This post is sponsored by Pelican Brewing. All opinions, itinerary ideas, and photos are our own!
Where to Stay For a Weekend In Pacific City
There are a ton of awesome places to stay in Pacific City that fit a wide variety of budgets. From campgrounds to luxury resorts, here are some of our favorites:
Hart’s Camp Airstream Hotel and RV Park ($-$$)
Making your way down Highway 101 on an Oregon coast road trip?
Chances are you’ll have your camping gear or an RV with you! Hart’s Camp is a convenient place to park safely and enjoy Pacific City for the weekend.
There are tons of perks to staying overnight at Hart’s Camp.
Sites have fire pits, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms and warm showers. The Airstream Hotel comes with a complimentary 6-pack of Pelican Brewing beverages and a smores kit to enjoy.
If you enjoy camping on the Oregon Coast, you’re going to love this setup in Pacific City!
The Inn at Cape Kiwanda ($$)
The Inn at Cape Kiwanda offers the most affordable hotel stay that is just steps away from the beach.
Choose between family suites, dog-friendly rooms, and jacuzzi rooms all with a stunning view of Haystack Rock.
The Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa ($$$)
For one of the most romantic getaways in Oregon, the Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa is your spot!
Each room at the lodge has a front-row seat to the ocean waves. You get unobstructed views of Haystack Rock and beach access literally steps from your door!
Weekend Activities in Pacific City, Oregon
Alright, you’ve booked a glorious weekend from the city. Now, you want to pack as much activity as possible into your beachside itinerary!
Follow our guide below for a perfect weekend trip to the Oregon Coast. This itinerary can easily be accomplished from the time you leave work on Friday to returning home on Sunday.
We account for driving time to and from the city (Portland), packing in as much fun as 48 hours allow! If you’ve got a weekend free (Friday-Sunday) this itinerary is for you.
Before you go, make sure to check out these essential planning posts:
> The complete Oregon Coast packing list (35 things to bring)
> The ultimate Oregon road trip itinerary (5 days to 2 weeks)
> 26 Oregon Coast hikes that should be on your list
> 15 gorgeous Oregon photography locations
Day 1: Head To The Beach
As soon as you arrive in Pacific City, we recommend first checking into your hotel. After that, immediately head to the beach to watch the sunset! The sun sets earlier in the winter on the Oregon Coast (around 4-6 pm) and later in the summer (7-9 pm) so you can plan accordingly.
After (or before) sunset, walk over to Pelican Brewery to grab a bite to eat. This beachside pub specializes in burgers and brews, which are a perfect combination in our opinion!
Each menu item comes with a recommended beer pairing, or you can ask the knowledgeable servers for their suggestions. Grab a seat in their cozy dining room, or take your food out on their patio. It has a stunning view of the sea stack and ocean waves.
After dinner, return to the beach for a bonfire!
Staying at the Headlands Lodge, Inn at Cape Kiwanda, or Hart’s Camp? You can chat with anyone on staff about purchasing a campfire s’mores bundle, or talk with the Headlands Adventure Team to arrange a setup for you!
Going the DIY route? Walk or drive over to the Cape Kiwanda Marketplace or Chesters Markets to grab s’more items and bundles of wood. Don’t forget blankets and camp chairs too!
Read More: 7 Oregon beaches that allow bonfires. (And how to make one!)
Day 2: Go Exploring
What’s a weekend on the Oregon coast without a little adventure? There is so much to do north AND south of Pacific City. We’ve put together a fun day trip that spans both north and south.
In the morning, drive up north on the Three Capes Scenic Loop. It’s a 40-mile car tour that can easily be accomplished in the morning. Drive all the way up to Cape Meares (past Cape Lookout) to take in the views. Here, you’ll find the Octopus Tree and take the short, family-friendly trails around.
On the way back, stop by Short Beach for some tide-pooling, and visit Oceanside beach mid-day. If the tide is low, head over to the north side of the beach to discover Tunnel Beach. You enter it through a hollow hole in the headlands!
Read More: The 25 Dreamiest Beaches in Oregon
Take Highway 101 all the way down to Lincoln City, to hike God’s Thumb Trail. This hike is 4.6 miles through coastal meadows and down through some trees.
At the end, you’ll reach God’s Thumb, a cool-looking swoosh of land with a stunning view of the ocean behind. This spot will eventually become a sea stack from the constantly beating waves. You’re one of the lucky ones to still access it by land!
For dinner, take the very short drive from God’s Thumb to Pelican Brewing’s new Siletz Bay location in Lincoln City.
There isn’t a single bad spot to sit in the entire restaurant. Every chair has incredible views of the bay!
Floor-to-ceiling windows line the walls for incredible sunsets and it’s a great spot to decompress and have a delicious meal after a fun day on the Oregon Coast.
If you’re looking for an extra special experience, look out for Pelican Brewing’s new Crab Boil Experience. Here, you can book a special table with a date, your family, or a group of friends. Everyone can dig in to try fresh crab, shrimp, clams, and more in their very own Le Creuset pot.
Day 3: Explore Cape Kiwanda
On the last day of your weekend in Pacific City, take some time to soak in all the best sites the town has to offer.
But first, coffee. Walk over to Stimulus Coffee + Bakery for some caffeine and sweet treats.
If it’s a cold day, enjoy the sunshine from their window-covered sitting area. If it’s warm outside, take your treats and walk across to the street to enjoy them with a morning beach walk!
Read More: The 23 Best Oregon Coast Towns To Explore
After you’ve finished your breakfast, head north up the beach to climb the dune at Cape Kiwanda. At the top, you’ll discover several overlooks, and little nooks to explore.
If you reach the other side, you’ll probably encounter some paragliders! They are often seen jumping off the hill on their way down to McPhillips Beach.
Climb down the hill to the north side of the cape. Here, you’ll find tons of Oregon tide pools and hidden views! (It’s best experienced at low tide)
From here, it’s time to head back to your place, check out, and make your way back home. But not without booking another trip first!
What are your favorite activities to do during a weekend in Pacific City, Oregon? Share them with us in the comments below!
More Oregon Coast Adventures
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The Ultimate Guide to Devil’s Punchbowl State Park
How To Reach Secret Beach in Samuel H Boardman, Oregon