Hug Point

Stunning beaches don’t end with Cannon Beach [1]. Sandy expanses stretch seven miles south to the Arch Cape tunnel on Highway 101, indicating the entrance to Oswald West State Park [2]. Several of these beaches are reached via state park waysides.

As you head south, views of Hug Point State Park and pristine beaches will have you ready to pull over. In summer, this can be a good escape from the crowds at Cannon Beach. Time your visit to coincide with low tide, when all manner of marine life will be exposed in tidal pools. Also at low tide, you may see remains of an 800-foot-long Model T–sized road blasted into the base of Hug Point, an early precursor to U.S. 101.

The cliffs are gouged with caves and crevasses that also invite exploring, but be mindful of the tides so that you don’t find yourself stranded. Hug Point got its name in the days when stagecoaches used the beach as highways; they had to dash between the waves, hugging the jutting headland to get around.