LONE RANCH BEACH

Lone Ranch Beach is located 4 and a half miles north of Brookings. Once there, you will take in the collection of sea stack jutting from an ocean whose color changes from hour to hour as the sun, clouds and lighting varies. This part of the Oregon coast has more of these impressive off-shore rock piles than almost any other spot on the Pacific Coast. They provide a rugged contrast to the flatness and color of the ocean.

Cape Ferrelo is just north of the parking area. If there is any wind, it will turn the Cape into a moving sea of grass whose surface is as restless and compelling as that of the Pacific. Each spring, the grass covering the Cape is buried under a ravishing tapestry of yellow daffodils.

There is easy access to the beach walking along an asphalt trail that passes a public restroom and several picnic benches, each with its own fire ring. In fact, Lone Ranch is quite handicapped accessible. On the right side of the paved walk notice the earthen bank containing millions of shells left by Native Americans who collected and attached sacred value to them. For the end of the asphalt you can see a tide pool filled with starfish, crab, anemone and the occasional otter that are happy to be looked at, but not touched. If you are venturesome and surefooted, when the tide is low you can pass the tide pool and continue around and under Cape Ferrelo.

On the beach itself, you can wade, walk, swim, fly a kite, – kite flying is particularly appropriate – feed the seagulls or just sit; there is something for everyone.

Follow the beach back to the south end of the shore line at low tide and you can go around the rocky point. You will enjoy watching the sea lions which are visible without binoculars. If you are feeling particularly spry, you can scramble up a slope strewn with boulders. At the top you can see a more remote pebbly beach and get a view south towards California and distant Point St. George lighthouse.