Agate Beach Oregon, technically called the Agate Beach State Recreation Site, is a beautiful beach on the central Oregon Coast less than 10 minutes north of Newport, Oregon.
Nestled just south of Yaquina Head, Agate Beach is a great place to throw the frisbee, have a beach fire, go surfing, take a long walk, or simply relax and listen to the waves.
In fact, this is one of our favorite places on the Oregon Coast and we’ve gathered our knowledge here to help you plan your visit.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you should know about Agate Beach Oregon, including our tips for enjoying the beach and fun things to do nearby.
For overnight stays, we’ll lay out the options for Agate Beach Oregon lodging, including the top vacation rentals and hotels Agate Beach has to offer.
So pack your bags and let’s plan a memorable visit to Agate Beach Newport Oregon.
Agate Beach Oregon: Overview
Agate Beach is one of our favorite beaches on the central Oregon Coast. We love how versatile Agate Beach is.
The beach is clean, fairly accessible, and has lots of room to spread out. It’s a great beach to hang out at on a nice day.
Also, it’s located close to lots of other fun things to do, including the Yaquina Outstanding Natural Area and all that Newport has to offer.
The large amount of Agate Beach lodging and camping options make it easy to extend your stay and discover more of the area.
Agate Beach Map
Use this interactive map we created to get your bearings. You can expand it to view in a new tab.
Getting to Agate Beach Newport Oregon
Directions to Agate Beach are simple. Located just 10 minutes north of Newport Oregon, Agate Beach is just off Highway 101.
The table below shows typical drive times to Agate Beach from major cities in the Willamette Valley.
| Starting Location | Distance to Agate Beach | Typical Travel Time |
| Portland | 110 miles | 2 hrs 20 min |
| Corvallis | 50 miles | 1 hr |
| Eugene | 100 miles | 1 hr 45 min |
| Salem | 80 miles | 1 hr 35 min |
There are two main places to access Agate Beach: an upper parking lot and a lower parking lot.
Upper Lot
The upper lot has about 80 spots and rarely fills up, even on crowded days. You can also park along NW Gilbert Way or NW Agate Way which is a bit closer to the beach.
There are public bathrooms and large parking spots to accommodate RVs and campers. The walk down to the beach from the upper parking lot takes about 5 minutes. There is a bit of a hill and a set of stairs.
Lower Lot
The lower lot has about 70 spots, and also rarely fills up. There are restrooms and the walk to the beach is short and easy. There are also large parking lots for longer vehicles.
Keep in mind: There is about a mile of beach between the upper and lower lots. In addition, there is a lot of open beach to the south of the lower lot.
Inside Tip: We typically go to the upper parking area, because that part of the beach is protected by Yaquina Head, so it is typically less windy.
When to Visit Agate Beach Oregon
On the Oregon Coast, Summer generally has the warmest temperatures, but it can be foggy when it’s extra hot inland.
Spring and Fall can have both really nice days and not so great days. Winter is the most windy, rainy, and stormy.
However, there’s more to consider. You may enjoy the chaos of dramatic winter storm watching, or seeing whales during their spring migration, or getting the best sunsets in spring and fall.
Learn way more in our full article about when to visit the Oregon Coast.
Things to do at and Near Agate Beach
One of our favorite things about Agate Beach Oregon is the variety of things to do there and nearby.
Hang out at Agate Beach
First and foremost, enjoy some quality time on the sand. Whether that means lounging with a book, building a sandcastle, throwing the frisbee, or having a sunset beach fire, Agate Beach is a great place to just enjoy the beach!
Again, we recommend the upper parking lot because this part of the Agate Beach is protected from northern winds by Yaquina Head.
There is a small hill and some stairs to get down to the beach from the parking lot, but you can still bring a good amount of stuff to hang out for a while.
Also, there is a creek that runs through much of Agate Beach. Which can be an obstacle if you need to cross it. For this reason, we recommend sandals you don’t mind getting wet.
Surfing Agate Beach Oregon
We love to surf at Agate Beach. In fact, it’s one of the best places to surf near Newport, in addition to Otter Rock and South Beach State Park.
Generally, late spring to early fall is the best time for surfing on the Oregon Coast. Locally, Agate Beach surfing conditions are highly dependent on weather. It’s best to check a surf forecast before you go.
We highly recommend you experience surfing in Oregon. If you’re just starting, you should take a lesson. Ossies Surf Shop is right next to Agate Beach and offers lessons and rentals.
Explore the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
The Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is an iconic rocky outcropping with lots to explore.
There is a historic 1800’s lighthouse, an informative visitor center, hiking trails, unique rock formations, and amazing views.
Inside tip: We recommend setting aside some time for the Yaquina Head Interpretation Center. You’ll learn all about the ecology of this area as well as human history. Also, check out Quarry Cove, a unique cove where you can sometimes see seals.
It’s definitely worth taking one to three hours exploring this unique feature on the central Oregon Coast. You will have to pay $7 per vehicle (or you can park outside and walk in for free if you want a hike).
Discover Newport Oregon
One of the larger cities on the Oregon Coast, Newport has some great spots to check out.
Newport’s Historic Bayfront is a walkable area alongside Yaquina Bay with fish markets, chowder shops, sea lions, and a pleasant marina.
The Nye Beach area is a cute crossroads with shops, restaurants, cafes, and beach access. It’s worth stopping in and walking around for an hour and getting some food (we love the Panini Bakery).
Newport has a lot of other fun things to do, including the famous Oregon Coast aquarium. Learn more in our full guide to Newport Oregon.
Check out Otter Rock
Otter Rock Oregon is just 7 minutes north of Agate Beach. The main draws are the accessible views and the unique rock formations called Devil’s Punchbowl.
You can also hang out on the beach and surf at Otter Rock. In fact, the waves are sometimes better here than at Agate Beach. There’s a great spot to watch surfers from.
Overall, Otter Rock is worth exploring for an hour or more! Learn more in our full guide to Otter Rock and Devil’s Punchbowl.
Where to Stay Near Agate Beach
There is definitely enough to explore in this area to warrant a multi-day trip. Fortunately, there are lots of options for Agate Beach Oregon lodging.
Your best bet for staying the night are Agate Beach vacation home rentals and hotels near Agate Beach Oregon.
Agate Beach Vacation Rentals
There are lots of great home rentals on sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. We did some looking and here are some of the best we have found.
This one has ocean views from the living room. This cozy cottage is within walking distance of Agate Beach. This one has amazing views of Agate Beach.
Hotels Agate Beach Oregon
For a great balance of amenities and affordability, check out one of the great Agate Beach hotels.
Agate Beach Motel
Located front and center, the Agate Beach Motel probably has the overall best location of hotels near Agate Beach.
It’s right at the north entrance to Agate Beach, right next to the stairs that go to the beach. You can be at the beach in less than a minute!
Don’t feel like walking? Just take in the views from the communal fire pit area. Also, the suites are cozy, dog friendly, and have parking close by.
Overall, Agate Beach Motel is a great choice for a clean and cozy hotel super close to Agate Beach.
Ocean House
Ocean House is a cozy and welcoming boutique hotel located at the northern entrance of Agate Beach.
With fire pits overlooking the beach, cozy common areas, delicious breakfast, beverage bar, garden, private beach access, and unique rooms, it’s hard to find something not to like about Ocean House.
If we had to name one thing, only kids over 16 years old are allowed and pets are also not allowed. However, this might also be a positive for you.
Agate Beach Inn Best Western
Located by the southern entrance, the Best Western Agate Beach Oregon location has everything you’d expect from a large hotel company in a scenic location.
This Agate Beach hotel has rooms with ocean views, pet friendly rooms (for a fee), a restaurant, a pool, and easy beach access.
Other Tips for Visiting Agate Beach
Check the weather forecast: We like this weather forecast from NOAA.
Prepare for wind: The Oregon Coast can be windy during any time of the year. It’s best to bring layers to keep you cozy even on a sunny day.
Pack the beach gear: Agate Beach is a great spot to set up a beach blanket and hang out for the day. The walk from either parking area isn’t too far, but don’t bring too much either.
Agate Beach Oregon FAQ
Why do they call it Agate Beach Oregon?
This Oregon beach earned its name from the agates that used to be found on the beach.
Are there still agates on Agate Beach Oregon?
Today Agate Beach agates are rare and hard to find. From what we can tell, it’s a combination of shifting sands and people collecting them that has led to their decline in this location.
How do you access Agate Beach?
You can access Agate Beach in Oregon via a northern access point and a southern access point. There are parking lots at both locations.
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you plan your trip and experience some Agate Beach Oregon Coast magic for yourself!
Overall, Agate Beach Newport is a great beach on the central Oregon Coast that is definitely worth visiting, especially during a nice spring, summer, or fall day.
Nearby Agate Beach motels let you extend your stay and visit some of the other great things to do nearby.
Learn more about things to do in Newport Oregon and check out our other articles about the Oregon Coast.
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