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Cape Kiwanda, located at Pacific City, north of Lincoln City and south of Cannon Beach is the first
of the three capes on the Three Cape Scenic Route when approaching from the south. The other Capes are
Cape Lookout and Cape Meares. Each cape has its own particular beauty although Cape Kiwanda is nearly eroded now.
I've been coming here for years, camping in a Thousand Trails Campground with beach access on the northern
side of the cape. When I wasn't camping, I would drive to Lincoln City every weekend. Many weekends I'd head north on
the Three Capes Scenic Route, stop at Cape Lookout to make the hike out on the Cape and sometimes hike down to the beach
as well. The beach, at least until the last time I went to this beach, a few years ago, was wonderfully isolated because most
people don't want to hike back up. For a few years I'd always pull out on one of the many pull outs, climb down the side
of the Cape, sit on a fallen log and eat my lunch, hanging over the Pacific Ocean.
The Cape itself provides a wonderful opportunity for whale watching. One year a friend of mine from
Pennsylvania came to visit, and I saw more whales on the day he and I went to the beach than I'd seen in my entire life.
They were cavorting off the coast, literally cavorting. At Cape Foulweather we saw two whales swimming in circles around
a boat. That boat looked very small, believe me. They were spouting off the coast at Depoe Bay, but Boiler Bay was the
most wondrous site. They were playing down there in the water. It was amazing. I'm not suggesting you will see
something like this, although you certainly might, but it is very possible to see Gray Whales migrating
on the Oregon Coast, and Cape Lookout provides an excellent vantage point.
Cape Lookout State Park is also very nice, offering hiking trails that lead out on the Cape and other
nature trails. The park also offers Day Use Facilities for picnicking, group shelters, campsites, cabins and
yurts. Over night stays require reservations.
Memories of Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint, further north, are always with me. It's the Sitka Spruce tree, known
as the "Octopus Tree". I first saw it as a child, and how could I forget? I didn't. The cape also offers hiking trails, picnic areas
and an historic lighthouse. There's much to see besides the Pacific Ocean, and that is beautiful in and of itself when
sightseeing on this section of the northern Oregon Coast.
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Forward ~ Winter Morning Light on the
northern Oregon Coast.
Back ~ Sunset on the Oregon Coast, north of Florence.
Scenery en route to and on the Oregon and California Coasts. Directions when traveling south from Waldport on the Pacific
Scenic Byway and north from Waldport.
USFS: Hiking Trails on the Oregon Coast.
The Road Less Traveled: Leisurely routes to the Oregon Coast, those that meander along streambeds and river canyons.
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Links that pertain to the retreat only open a new window.
Travel to Gathering Light on the Umpqua Scenic Byway: follow the Umpqua River from Reedsport, to Sutherlin. Head south on I - 5 10 miles to Roseburg, Oregon and access the Umpqua Scenic Byway: Directions, Map and Scenery: hiking trails, waterfalls, mountains.
Travel Directions to and Day Trips of about 100 miles from the retreat.
Little known Scenic Places: hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, birding ... Directions Map and Scenery. Local Maps Introduction.
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