Social Security Beach

Located in the coastal city of Warrenton in Clatsop County, Social Security Beach is a long and wide beige sand beach.  The beach is part of Fort Stevens State Park and is positioned on the Clatsop Spit at the mouth of the Columbia River, which together offers incredible views of the Oregon coastline. 

Social Security Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except a boardwalk, so plan your trip accordingly. 

Social Security Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, watching wildlife, kite flying, and hiking.  If you are planning to go into the water, we recommend being careful, as the water is known to have unpredictable rip currents.  It is a perfect spot for windsurfing due to its frequently windy weather.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Social Security Beach is ideal for visitors looking for a serene experience, as this beach sees fewer visitors than other nearby beaches.  Dogs are allowed if they are on leash, and it is open from sunrise until sunset. 

Social Security Beach does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Social Security Beach is easy - the beach has a parking lot located at the end of Jetty Road, Hammond, which provides easy access to the beach. 

Fun facts about Social Security Beach in Warrenton, United States: The beach gets its name from the Social Security building located nearby. The building was built in 1936 and was used as a military hospital during World War II.

There are many attractions near Social Security Beach.  Fort Stevens State Park is spread over 4,300 acres and was the former site of military installations once used to guard the mouth of the Columbia River.  It offers many fun activities, including camping, hiking, picnicking, beachcombing, watching wildlife, boating, golfing, fishing, and horseback riding.  The Columbia River Maritime Museum offers an interesting insight into the maritime history of the Columbia River through historic artifacts, photographs, and related memorabilia.  In addition, it hosts interesting events, educational programs, and short films related to maritime topics.  Tapiola Park is a large neighborhood park that offers many amenities, including a large playground with swing sets, a basketball court, a football field, a skate park, restrooms, picnic shelters, picnic tables, a play area, a restroom for people with disabilities, benches, and trash cans.  Oregon Film Museum was a jail turned into a museum that showcases interesting exhibits and related memorabilia from the making of the movie "The Goonies” and many other films made in Oregon.  Fort Columbia State Park is home to Fort Columbia, which served as a military defense installation for the Columbia River through the World War II era.  Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours to see the artillery emplacements, historic homes, observation stations, and bunkers.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction,  The Astoria Column is a 125-foot-tall concrete and steel column that features artwork depicting key events in early Oregon history.  It has a 164-step spiral staircase leading to an observation deck at the top that offers Instagram-worthy views of the Columbia River.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within a ten-minute drive of Social Security Beach.  South Jetty Dining Room & Bar serves incredible salads, soups, sandwiches, seafood, beef, pork, poultry dishes, and desserts.  Buoy 9 Restaurant & Lounge serves amazing salads, soups, sandwiches, oysters, shrimp, seafood, beef, and poultry dishes.  El Catrin Mexican Cuisine serves steaks, quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, seafood, beef, poultry dishes, and desserts.  Nisa's Thai Kitchen serves delicious Thai cuisine, including soups, salads, curries, rice, noodles, seafood, poultry dishes, and desserts.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Arnie's Cafe serves eggs, omelets, burritos, pancakes, burgers, sandwiches, salad, soups, burgers, steaks, short ribs, seafood, beef, pork, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Social Security Beach, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa is 28 minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including hot tubs, a spa, a sauna, a fitness center, restaurants, and complimentary breakfast.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star The Porter Portland Curio Collection by Hilton, which has many amenities, including a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, and an Italian restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa, which has many amenities including a spa, hot tubs, a fitness center, a fireplace, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the beachfront 3-Star South Jetty Inn, which offers many amenities including an outdoor seating area, picnic tables, and fireplaces.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Hampton Inn & Suites Astoria has many amenities including an indoor pool, a fitness center, a snack shop, and complimentary breakfast.