Guided Rockhounding Tour: Short Beach

If you've ever gone beachcombing and come home empty-handed, you're just not looking in the right place. I know all the tricks.

Join me on a guided rockhounding tour for agates, jasper, and crystals on Short Beach near Oceanside. I'll provide rock and nature ID and teach you how and where to look for all sorts of treasures.

Along this stretch, I have found sea glass in snowy white, brown, and bright green; Caribbean blue chalcedony, carnelian, and agates of white, gold, cream, light green, amber, fire red (carnelian), and grey; bizarre metamorphic formations; porphyritic basalt; jaspers in red, ochre, yellow, black, and the famous deep forest green Oregon Green Jasper; calcite, zeolites, and quartz crystals inside cavities; shells like snow white whelks, sand dollars, clams, turban snails, mussels, shore crab pincers and Dungeness carapaces, three kinds of limpets; and all sorts of freaky sea creature stuff.

First, we'll carefully descend the brand new set of nice stairs with a railing (thanks, TKO!) down to the water and do some tidepooling around the main sea stack. Then, we'll slowly hike to the farthest point on the beach where the best agates and crystals are and leisurely glean our way back to the beginning where some driftwood logs make nice seating to watch the waves and seagulls.

We'll cover about 1.25 mi. very slowly. Much of the beach is sand at low tide but we'll be walking over large, loose cobble to get to it and negotiating our way around slick rocks while rockhounding, so excellent hiking footwear and trekking poles are highly recommended.

You are welcome to pause and sit on rocks at any time to relax and meditate or turn back early to wait for us on the driftwood by the stairs, this hike is all about basking in the moment. Peregrine falcons nest nearby and various shore birds are usually around. Short Creek, Larson Creek Falls, and a tiny unnamed creek all empty onto the beach, gathering unique coastal wildflower species at their feet. The waves always curl beautifully and photogenically in this cove, they are mesmerizing to watch. Linger as long as you like.

Afterwards, I usually head a few minutes north up the road to the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint for the good restrooms and then back to Tillamook via the new Cape Meares Loop Road overlook for a little sea gazing and panoramic photography, you are free to join me.

Bring $10 cash only, sturdy hiking boots, WEATHER appropriate clothing, trekking poles, water, snacks, binoculars, camera equipment, and something to put your rock stash in (I like Ziploc bags). Restroom on site. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.