South Beach State Park
Newport, OR
South Beach sits just across the Yaquina Bay Bridge from downtown Newport, a large state park with a campground, extensive dune trails, and a long stretch of open beach that draws far less foot traffic than Nye Beach across the bay. A marina and the Oregon Coast Aquarium sit nearby, making it easy to combine with a non beach activity.
A genuinely large, uncrowded stretch of beach and dunes minutes from downtown Newport, held back only by the maze of trails needed to reach the open sand.
How we score beachesThe dune trail system here is genuinely extensive. Bring a trail map from the park office rather than trying to guess your way through to the beach.
A day use fee applies at the main lot; camping requires a separate reservation.
Paved and gravel trails cross the dunes to reach the beach; some sections involve soft sand.
Leashed dogs are allowed throughout the park.
Summer, June through September, is the busiest camping season and driest for the dune trails.
More Pacific Coast beaches
Zuma Beach
Malibu, CA · Pacific Coast
A wide stretch of sand backed by the Santa Monica Mountains, with reliable swells that draw surfers year-round and plenty of room to spread out even on busy weekends.
Huntington City Beach
Huntington Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Known as Surf City USA, with a mile-long municipal pier, consistent breaks for surfers of every level, and a laid-back boardwalk scene along Pacific Coast Highway.
Main Beach
Laguna Beach, CA · Pacific Coast
Tucked between rocky headlands, with tidepools to explore at low tide, calmer coves for swimming, and an arts-town backdrop of galleries and cafes just steps from the sand.