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Sandy beach
Yes
Hike-in Required
Yes
Surfing
Yes
Snorkeling / SCUBA
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Short Sand Beach, also known as "Short Sands" or "Shorty's," has become one of Oregon's most popular surfing and boogie boarding destinations.  Smugglers Cove remains protected from heavy weather, and the breaks are relatively consistent.  And even if you don't surf, the beach is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon.  In fact, the entire park was named for the beach when it was created in 1931, and it wasn't until 1958 that it was renamed after Governor Oswald West.  The popularity of the beach is especially apparent in the peak summer months; try weekdays or winter for more solitude.  To access the beach, take a short walk on the trail from the Oswald West State Park's main parking lot through an old-growth forest of Sitka Spruce alongside Short Sand Creek. 

From Short Sand Beach you can access the moderate hike to the end of Cape Falcon, or even the more robust, 6.6-mile there-and-back hike to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain.  Enjoy!

Short Sand Beach is part of the Cape Falcon Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Area. This means that there are specific prohibitions against fishing and the harvesting of fish, invertebrates, and seaweed. Check here for specific clarifications on regulations, exemptions, and a detailed representation of the area's boundaries.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Surfing. Open sandy beach. Nearby hikes.

Cons

Peak summer crowds.

Features

Picnic tables
Surfing
Waterfalls

Location

Nearby Adventures

Comments

09/12/2015
Short Sands never disappoints - while Canon Beach and Ecola State Park were socked in with cloudy weather, the sun was out and weather was warmer in Manzanita.
06/06/2015
A great spot to beat the 90 degree temps in Portland. A mist was moving across the top of the beach all morning, keeping the temps tolerable. Lots of people had a similar plan, so we shared the beach. A small fire as the sun was setting kept us warm in the evening. Great spot to spend a lazy day or get your surf on.
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A profound concept originally envisioned by governor Oswald West, in 1967 the Oregon legislature ultimately realized his vision of making the entire Oregon Coast forever open to the public in a piece of landmark legislation titled the Oregon Beach Bill, officially making all 363 miles public land. "The People's Coast" is truly a one-of-a-kind coastline, a unique blend of mountains and rocky stacks, towering old growth forests, marine sanctuaries, tide pools and kelp forests, charming towns, historic fishing communities, world-class golfing, breweries, and simply jaw-dropping scenic beaches. We encourage you to plan your next trip at visittheoregoncoast.com or by calling (541) 574-2679.

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