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A surfer hauls a board into the sea at Short Sand Beach.

Surfers get their gear ready on a local beach.

A surfer rides a wave on a sunny day.

Surfers at Short Sand Beach.

A surfer hauls a board into the sea at Short Sand Beach.

Increasingly popular with the West Coast surfing community, Oregon’s North Coast is home to a number of pristine spots with impressive waves. From uneven rocks to soft, sandy shores, there’s something for everyone, from novice surfers to advanced experts. Even for those who have never paddled out on a board before, there’s still space to spare even at the most well-known breaks.

Surfing is one of the North Coast’s most popular pastimes and stands distinct from the droves of people who come to catch some waves in California and Hawaii. With a locals-only heritage including spots like The Point, it’s not hard to see why surfing is fundamental to the region’s identity and to the people who call the region home.

Known for: popularity, top pick for novice surfers, forgiving location shielded from harsh weather

Short Sand Beach, affectionately nicknamed "Shorty’s" and "Short Sands," is one of the North Coast’s most popular surfing destinations. Noteworthy for being shielded from inclement weather, its largely consistent breaks and having a sandy bottom, it's a top pick for surfers willing to head out on a short hike in.

Visitors enjoy surfing and boogie boarding in addition to a network of scenic trails at Oswald State Park. If you’re looking to beat the crowds, show up with your board during weekdays or during the winter months. Suit up and have the waves all to yourself.

Surfers get their gear ready on a local beach.

Known for: summer crowds, popular with beginners, views of Haystack Rock

No list of surfing spots could be complete without the iconic backdrop of Haystack Rock. Cannon Beach is another North Coast surf-spot favorite and stands out as a popular destination boasting mellow waters and native seabirds.

If you’re a beginner, visit during the summer months when swell conditions are much milder. LIfeguards are stationed on the beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend and are happy to offer advice about recommended areas for safe surfing.

Known for: stunning scenery, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

Ecola State Park’s Indian Beach offers its best surf conditions during the summer. If you’re a little more advanced and looking for consistent, clean waves with rideable swell, visit during winter. January is one of the best months for those conditions, especially when southwest swells combine with offshore winds.

No matter what season you choose to visit Indian Beach, it’s a great place to spend the day and catch a few waves. With access via footpath and bridge, as well as a freshwater creek, enjoy this beautiful cove and its forgiving surf.

Known for: its solitude, long coastline, unique surf

If you want to escape the crowds at Seaside and stake out a more remote and laid back spot, take a short drive up to Gearhart, a perfect nearby alternative. It offers 8 miles of sandy coastlines and pristine waves, where you can drive right up onto the sand and suit up.

Gearhart’s surf stands out on the coastline due to the way the sandbanks meet the ocean, and when the conditions are just right, surfers can ride each break for much longer than usual.

A surfer rides a wave on a sunny day.

Known for: powerful surf, variable sections of reef, something for everyone

Sunset Beach is the North Coast’s own one-of-a-kind surf spot. Offering a dangerous lava-rock reef and waves exceeding six feet in height, the full power of the ocean unloads onto a football field-sized stretch of coastline.

At the most rugged parts of Sunset like the Inside Bowl, you should expect unpredictable and often violent swells; surfers who visit Sunset Beach know to expect the variability and adapt their approach to meet it. However, this is a stretch where there’s something for everyone.

Be prepared for lots of paddling; the rides are long and so is the distance back out. If you know where to look, there’s something for everyone.

Surfers at Short Sand Beach.

Need to rent some gear? The North Coast has a handful of high-end surf shops with short boards, longboards, wetsuits and more. Bahama Boards and Cleanline Surf Co. offer locations throughout Seaside, Cannon Beach and Manzanita, with a wide selection of goods both for sale and for rent.

Don’t miss out on the goods you can’t put a price on either – Bahama Boards and Cleanline are great resources for tips, guidance and insider information about the best swells at the spots you’re headed to.

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