Tierra Del Mar Beach
Tierra Del Mar, OR
Tierra Del Mar is a small unincorporated community on the Three Capes Scenic Route, about 25 miles south of Tillamook. The beach in front of it is one of the few stretches on the Oregon coast open to street-legal vehicles, running two miles south to Cape Kiwanda. Cape Lookout is visible to the north, Cape Kiwanda to the south.
Drive-on beach access and views of two capes at once are hard to find anywhere else on this coast, but soft sand and zero facilities mean it rewards people who already know what they're doing.
How we score beachesAir down your tires a little before driving onto the sand, the softer patches near the access point catch people who don't. There's a porta-potty but no trash service, so pack out what you bring in.
Park along the gravel shoulder of the highway through the community, or drive straight onto the sand at the access point just past the last house. There's no fee and no gate.
Vehicle access runs right onto the beach for street-legal cars and trucks. On foot, it's a short walk from any of the gravel pullouts, though there's no paved path or restroom beyond the single porta-potty.
Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round on a leash no longer than 6 feet, as required on Oregon state park beaches.
Summer, July through September, brings the driest and calmest days for driving the sand. Winter storm season runs November through February, with big surf and occasional beach closures worth checking ahead of a trip.
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.