Mcphillips Beach

Pacific City offers a variety of dining options near McPhillips Beach. Pelican Brewing is a popular spot, known for its oceanfront taproom serving house beers, pizza, pasta, and seafood. Another favorite is Oar House Bar & Grill, which offers American cuisine with a cozy atmosphere and live music. For a more upscale experience, Meridian Restaurant & Bar provides contemporary bistro dishes with ocean views. Beach Walk offers a casual Pan-Asian dining experience with cocktails.

Additionally, Sportsman's Pub-n-Grub is a family-friendly option with a lively atmosphere, serving seafood and offering bar games. These restaurants cater to diverse tastes and preferences, ensuring a satisfying dining experience for all visitors.

For accommodations near McPhillips Beach, Pacific City offers a range of options. Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa is an upscale choice, featuring rustic-chic rooms and cottages with a full-service spa. The Inn at Cape Kiwanda provides polished quarters with ocean views and a spa. For a more budget-friendly option, the Surf & Sand Inn offers simple rooms in a former Coast Guard station. These hotels cater to different budgets and preferences, ensuring a comfortable stay for visitors.

McPhillips Beach has limited amenities, primarily a vault toilet. Visitors should plan accordingly as there are no showers or picnic facilities directly on the beach. However, the nearby town of Pacific City offers a range of services and amenities, including restaurants and accommodations. The beach allows vehicle access, enabling visitors to drive close to the water, though caution is advised due to soft sand.

For those interested in more developed amenities, nearby Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area offers additional facilities and activities.

McPhillips Beach offers a variety of activities for visitors. It is a great spot for beachcombing, fat tire biking, and driving on the beach. Surf fishing is also popular, with opportunities to catch surfperch. The beach is ideal for off-leash dog exercises due to its natural barriers. At low tide, visitors can enjoy tidepooling near the rocks and sea stacks, discovering marine life like sea anemones and starfish.

Additionally, the beach is a prime location for watching the annual gray whale migration. While swimming is not recommended due to strong currents, the beach provides a serene atmosphere for relaxation and nature viewing.

McPhillips Beach does not have specific disability access features like ramps or wheelchair rentals. However, nearby facilities in Pacific City and other coastal attractions offer more accessible amenities. For example, some restaurants in the area provide wheelchair-accessible entrances and restrooms. Visitors with mobility needs may want to explore these nearby options for better accessibility.

Parking at McPhillips Beach is limited and primarily available at a gravel parking area near the entrance. There is no fee for parking, but spaces are limited, and visitors may need to find additional parking on nearby streets. The beach allows vehicle access, which can be convenient for those who wish to drive closer to the water's edge, though caution is advised due to soft sand.

McPhillips Beach is named after the individual who sold the land to the state, preventing it from being developed into a nuclear power plant. The beach is a popular spot for watching the annual gray whale migration between December and May. Its unique rock formations and gravel bars make it a productive spot for rockhounding, especially after winter storms when treasures like agates and marine fossils are often uncovered.

Near McPhillips Beach, the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area offers stunning views and outdoor activities. The nearby Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles and elk. Pacific City itself is known for its scenic flights and the iconic Haystack Rock, making it a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can also explore the Sand Lake Recreation Area, which offers open sand dunes and forests adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.