Sunset Beach State Recreation Site — Attraction in Seaside

There's nothing wrong with Sunset Beach, it's a nice beach that's good for bonfires and taking the dog on a walk. The trail nearby is nice as well, with a little bridge and a nice approach through the dune to the beach proper. It's just very underwhelming experience compared to the breathtaking beauty of some relatively nearby beaches, like Astoria's Indian Beach and Cannon Beach's Short Sands. It lacks tide pools, those massive cliffs slipping into the sea, waterfalls, a neighboring forest, estuaries, or any other interesting natural features in the landscape that can be found nearby. Tillamook Head is visible in the distance, and while the view is beautiful I can't help but wish I was enjoying the beauty up close instead of admiring it from afar. Besides being a beach, Sunset doesn't really offer anything remarkably unique.

Sunset Beach does deliver on its name and produces some very exceptional sunsets. It's also a good destination for certain parts of the year, like digging clams, finding shells, or seeing fireworks. I just can't help but feel it's general experience is somewhat mediocre outside of special events, at least compared to its neighbors.

I won't deny that there isn't a special beauty to be found in the rolling dunes or in discovering things on the beach. But I also can't deny the monotony of the landscape either.

Perhaps that makes those discoveries and moments of appreciation more special. But sometimes, honestly, it just...

Pretty beach. Not a lot of commercial build up here. Little parking and few "outhouse style" restrooms available. People tend to drive right out onto the beach to park. WARNING!! drive straight out to the packed sand with lots of tracks, turning too soon from the access will put you into a light unpacked sand that eats cars...as in "you will get stuck"! Same warning on the way off the beach. That said, if you have a sedan, minivan or other low riding vehicle then park and walk down the access road to get to the beach, otherwise you will high center in the soft sand. Leaving the highway to get to the coast is easy, but unless you plan a right turn getting back onto the highway is a pain. Loys of traffic both directions.. The last visit we made in mid November was no exception. Traffic is horrible heading north and south from warrington/Astoria. The beach is awesome! Miles of white sand to explore. July water temps are actually warm. Lots of room to let your dogs run, but remember that other dogs are also running loose. You should have no problem finding a space to park without worrying about it though. Oh, don't pull Into the soft sand to park either, stay on the packed sand to...

I went out to Sunset Beach with my puppy the other day all hundred 125 lb of her it was nice I drove the Beach and had a good time playing with her with the at the water I'm playing ball with her out there it was nice the people were doing their own thing most of them were had families it was just a nice scene kind of what you would call one of those Norman Rockwell moments you don't believe exist anymore you think it's either a fable or it's like the proverbial unicorn that don't exist it was nice my God we still have some Americana left so if you get a chance go out there and like I said it's some of the other beaches I've been to please thank the Rangers in the people that do try to take care of these places and pitch in to try to help maintain them we want something for ourselves and for future generations to enjoy y'all take care and I hope you enjoy the review have fun out there and you know life's a beach haha. 😁😁😁😁 Baron...