Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site offers a secluded coastal experience approximately seven miles south of Yachats at the mouth of Tenmile Creek, featuring two distinct beach segments divided by the creek with public access points on both the north and south sides of the Highway 101 bridge near milepost 171. This day-use area provides easy beach access from small gravel parking lots directly off Highway 101, creating convenient stopping points for travelers exploring the central Oregon Coast between Yachats and Florence. The northern section features rugged coastline with cobbles, pebbles, and basalt rocks creating excellent tide pool habitat, while the southern beach offers sandier conditions perfect for walking and beachcombing. Part of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Areas, Stonefield Beach operates under special regulations prohibiting fishing and collecting of invertebrates, seaweed, or wildlife, preserving the pristine marine ecosystems for observation and education. Free day-use access with no entrance fees makes this an affordable coastal destination, though the small parking areas fill quickly during weekends and peak whale watching seasons requiring early arrival to secure spaces. Storms and high tide events occasionally bring ocean water directly into the parking lots with sand and debris, sometimes requiring closures until heavy equipment can clean the areas.
Tide pool exploration ranks among Stonefield Beach's premier activities with low and minus tides revealing beautiful displays of marine life including purple and orange sea stars, bright green and pink anemones, sea urchins, hermit crabs, shore crabs, mussels, barnacles, and diverse species protected within the Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Areas. The basalt rock formations create numerous pools and crevices where creatures find shelter between tides, offering exceptional opportunities for observation and photography while respecting the prohibition on collecting or disturbing organisms. Agate hunting proves productive particularly between November and April when winter storms and king tides expose hidden treasures, with beachcombers finding carnelian agates, sagenitic agates, jasper, petrified wood, shells, sea glass, and interesting rocks along the tide line and among beach gravels. Tenmile Creek flowing across the beach creates dynamic conditions where freshwater meets saltwater, depositing stream-worn stones and creating habitat diversity. Whale watching from Stonefield Beach offers excellent opportunities during gray whale migration seasons from December to January as whales travel south to Mexico and March to May on their return north to Alaska, with patient observers often spotting spouts, flukes, and occasionally full breaches from the beach or parking areas. Beach walking extends along the sandy southern section and rocky northern area, with possibilities to explore creek mouth environments where fresh and salt water merge. Wildlife includes harbor seals offshore, abundant seabirds such as brown pelicans, cormorants, gulls, oystercatchers, and various shorebirds, plus Roosevelt elk occasionally visible in coastal meadows.
Yachats dining sits just seven miles north, easily accessible along Highway 101. Adobe Restaurant and Lounge perches fifty feet from the ocean's edge serving fresh seafood including grilled salmon, halibut, Dungeness crab, fish and chips, steaks, pasta, and Pacific Northwest cuisine with sweeping ocean views. Beach Street Kitchen offers ocean-view dining with panini-pressed breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, fresh wraps, baked frittatas, and espresso drinks. Ona Restaurant and Lounge overlooks the Yachats River and Pacific Ocean confluence, serving American dishes, fresh seafood, and craft cocktails with bar seating and patio dining. Luna Sea Fish House operates under local fisherman Robert Anthony serving fish caught fresh off his boat, offering fish and chips, steamer clams, chowder, crab cakes, and seafood baskets with indoor and outdoor dining.
Stonefield Beach State Recreation Site requires strict adherence to Marine Reserve and Marine Protected Area regulations prohibiting all fishing, collecting of invertebrates including crabs and shellfish, removal of seaweed, and disturbing wildlife under penalty of significant fines. These protections preserve the exceptional marine ecosystems for observation only. No lifeguards patrol the beach and the Pacific Ocean presents extreme dangers with cold water temperatures, strong currents, undertows, and unpredictable sneaker waves making swimming unsafe. Never turn your back on the ocean and supervise children closely away from the waterline. Tide pooling should occur during low tide periods with constant awareness of rising water that can trap explorers, and wet rocks become extremely slippery requiring sturdy footwear. Never remove or disturb tide pool creatures even outside the Marine Protected Area boundaries as Oregon law protects many species. Storms and high tides can flood parking areas with ocean water, creating hazardous conditions and requiring closures until cleanup occurs. The small parking lots fill quickly during peak times, with overflow parking along Highway 101 requiring extreme caution near traffic. The site offers no camping facilities, restrooms may be limited or absent requiring visitors to plan accordingly, and no potable water is available. Weather on the Oregon Coast changes rapidly with fog, wind, and rain developing quickly. Agate hunting proves most productive during winter months when storms create rougher ocean conditions requiring appropriate safety awareness. Cell phone coverage should be reliable near Highway 101. Stonefield Beach combines easy access, exceptional tide pools within a Marine Protected Area, productive agate hunting, excellent whale watching, and two distinct beach environments divided by Tenmile Creek into a rewarding day-use destination seven miles south of Yachats on the central Oregon Coast.
