Short Beach, as its name suggests, is a small stretch of sand tucked into a cove, located one mile south of Cape Meares and 1.3 miles north of Oceanside, a charming seaside community in Tillamook County.

Access to the beach requires a 0.25-mile hike down and back up a staircase built by residents after several people were injured navigating the steep, slippery incline that once led to the shore.

The beach stretches for roughly 900 yards along the coastline, though its name is believed to have little to do with its size. Some locals believe the beach and the creek flowing into it were named after an early settler with the last name Short.

Visitors can enjoy surf fishing, short shoreline walks, and sightseeing. Two creeks, Larson and Short, flow into the Pacific Ocean here.

There are also two waterfalls: Larson Creek Falls at the northern edge of the beach and a small artificial waterfall near the staircase trail.

At the southern end of Short Beach lies Lost Boy Beach, a secluded pocket beach with no direct road or trail access.

Local legend says the beach was named after a boy who disappeared there in the early 20th century. Reaching it from Short Beach or Tunnel Beach can be dangerous, even during very low tides, because visitors may become trapped by incoming water.

Short Beach Rockhounding

Short Beach is renowned for its excellent rockhounding opportunities. The best time to collect minerals is during winter and spring, especially after high tide when the surf recedes, and fresh material is exposed.

A gem scoop can make collecting easier and more efficient. Minerals commonly found here include agate, jasper, calcite, petrified wood, quartz, and zeolites. Agates and jaspers are the most common finds and occur along much of the beach.

Many agates have abraded surfaces and appear dull, though some are small and translucent. Rockhounds may also find black, banded, carnelian, and enhydro agates, along with zeolites such as mordenite, clinoptilolite, and heulandite. Golden calcite rhombs are occasionally found as well.