Rockaway Beach’s Top Fall Attractions
A host of downtown restaurants—Sand Dollar Restaurant and Lounge, and Old Oregon Smoke House—serve up local crab melts, towering fish and chips platters, and clam chowders. And Kelly’s Brighton Marina, located right on the coast just north of town, is about as close to ocean-to-table dining as possible: staff bring in Dungeness crabs, Pacific Netarts Oysters, and Manilla Steamer Clams fresh from their live wells on site. For the more DIY foodies, Kelly’s and nearby Jetty Fishery both rent out crabbing wares for visitors hoping to bring in their own fresh Dungeness catch. Their kitchens will even cook up your legal-sized shellfish, free of charge.
Fall just might be the Old Growth Cedar Trail’s moment of glory. The one-mile trail through the Cedar Wetlands Nature Preserve follows an ADA-accessible boardwalk above the forest floor, affording views of fall’s changing colors without the muddy feet. The family-friendly trail’s shining star is a knobby, towering cedar tree, standing at an impressive 154 feet tall and 49 feet wide. Keep an eye out for mushrooms, levitating root systems, and woodland creatures along the way.
Occasional fall storms expose rockhounding treasures on Rockaway Beach’s seven miles of shoreline. Like an all-ages search and find, rockhounding upgrades a casual beach walk to an adrenaline-filled game. Visitors hunt for minerals, fossils, crystals, and gemstones year-round, but autumn kicks off prime agate season on the Oregon coast. In town, Troxel’s Gem and Jewelry Co. serves as inspiration, the dual rock shop and jewelry store showcasing the region’s most admirable finds.
The Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad carts visitors along the Tillamook Coast in a fleet of restored historic steam engines, educating riders about the passing sights. The fall calendar boasts a host of themed rides: Fall Splendor tickets score a guided trip through coastal forests for easy-to-access foliage views, and the Halloween Coast Train boasts festive lights, trick-or-treating on board, and an apple cider for the trip. The season’s adult-only rides—a Moonlight Excursion beneath a waning gibbous moon and spooky Booze and Brews where costumes are encouraged—include pours of local beer and wine.
Whether nestled right in Rockaway Beach’s walkable downtown district or directly on the beach, welcoming lodging abounds…yet holiday dates are all but guaranteed to sell out. Snag the most nature-y environs with an RV site at pet-friendly Jetty Fishery Marina or Kelly’s Brighton Marina, or opt for beachfront rooms at Silver Sands Motel, Rockaway Beach Resort, or Surfside Resort.
The day after Thanksgiving transforms Rockaway Beach’s downtown into a veritable storybook with the annual tree lighting. Don’t forget the decorations; families are invited to bring their own handmade decor to adorn the tree amidst carolers and festive snacks. Plus, nearby shops decorate for the season and keep their doors open late for holiday shopping, rounding out a truly idyllic small-town tree-lighting festival.
