There are more than 20 different access points from which you can access the broad sands of Rockaway Beach. In general, these access points are at the west end of east-west streets. Some of these access points are formally marked and have room for parking, others are not marked and/or have no parking. In the case of those without parking, you may still be able to find a bit of parking along the streets, but be careful not to block roadways or driveways.
Following is a list of the most frequently used access spots. Those with parking areas are marked with P. For additional information about each access, including details about the access trails, click on the link.
Access to Pristine Sandy Beaches and Parking
The Ocean's Edge Wayside access is marked by a monument erected in 1995 by Post 7558 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and dedicated "In memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in the armed forces of the United States."Adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce caboose is a small park and a covered seating area. The median area of the parking lot has benches and two picnic tables. Once you are on the beach, you will note Rock Creek to the north slicing through the sand on its way to the ocean.
North End Beach Access Points
These access points are located between the Ocean's Edge Wayside and the northern city limits.
N. Pacific & N. 3rd Ave.
There is a parking area at the end of the street that can accommodate approximately 20 vehicles. The beach is a few short steps down over some flat rocks.
N. Pacific & N. 4th Ave.
There is no formal parking area here, so park on the sides of the streets. The beach access is at the end of 4th, between houses numbered 393 and 411. To reach the beach, you will step carefully down a series of rip rap boulders to the beach, which is about 8 feet from the path.
There is no formal parking area here, so park on the sides of the streets. The beach access is at the end of 5th between houses numbered 475 and 505. From the access, you will step carefully down a series of rip rap rocks to the beach, which is about 8 feet from the street.
N. Pacific & N. 6th Ave.
This beach access is at the Rockaway Beach Resort. The parking here is for the resort, so you should park on the street. The access is for pedestrians only. Take note of the Tsunami warning siren on the tall pole near the access.
N. Pacific & N. 7th Ave.
There is no formal parking area here, so you must park on the street. The beach access is at the end of N. 7th. N. Pacific & N. 8th Ave.
N. Pacific & N. 8th Ave.
There is no formal parking here, so you must park on the street. The access is at the end of 8th. To get to the beach, you will take about a dozen steps down rip rap stones to the sand below.
N. Pacific & N. 9th Ave.The public right of way here is not wide. You will find the access between houses numbered 961 and 1005. To reach the beach, take the sandy path out past the houses. It is flanked by Shore Pines and dune grass. When you reach the drop-off, you will take about 12 steps over rip rap stones down to the beach below.
N. Pacific & NW 13thTake 19th west off N. Miller St. to reach this designated access. You will find a parking area that can potentially accommodate about 20 vehicles. The access is a sandy path flanked by dune grass on either side. A gentle sand path leads down to the beach.
Manhattan Beach - Beach St.
Off U.S. Highway 101, turn west at the Manhattan Beach sign on Beach Street. The beach access at the end of the street at Beach Drive is wide enough for vehicles, and there are tracks to prove it. But the site is posted to prohibit vehicular use. So you should observe the signs and not use it as a vehicular access. However, it is an excellent pedestrian access point.
Off U.S. Highway 101, turn west at the Manhattan Beach sign on Beach Street. The beach access at the end of the street at Beach Drive is wide enough for vehicles, and there are tracks to prove it. But the site is posted to prohibit vehicular use. So you should observe the signs and not use it as a vehicular access. However, it is an excellent pedestrian access point.
To get to the jetty, your only access is Beach Drive, which comes off Beach Street from U.S. Highway 101 at the Manhattan Beach turn. When traversing Beach Drive, take it slowly. The road is rough with lots of dips. The jetty access is at Section Line Street and Beach Drive. Here you will find a large parking area. The access path to the beach is marked by the monument sign, which states "Nehalem Bay South Jetty, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, constructed 1910-1916."
To get to the beach, you will take a long, wide path. Early in your walk, the path will split off to the north, but stay the course. Soon you will walk through a forest of driftwood of every size almost as far as the eye can see. At first, you may think it is the most driftwood you have ever seen in one place. That is, until you cross a small berm and see even more, this time stacked high with tree trunks, giant roots and limbs.After you pass through this area, you will at last come to the beach, which is just south of the mouth of the Nehalem River.