Quick plan:
- Why I went and how I booked
- My stays: Headlands, Inn at Cape Kiwanda, Surf & Sand Inn, and Hart’s Camp
- Little lessons you don’t see in brochures
- Who should book what
I’ve stayed in Pacific City three times over the last year. Once in winter for storm watching. Twice in summer for lazy beach days and dory boats. I paid my way. I hauled sandy shoes up stairs. I called the front desk at weird hours. So here’s the real deal.
When I’m scoping rates before committing, I like to scan Akkeron Hotels for a quick reality check on what coastal rooms should cost.
If you want the entire saga in one place, here's my unfiltered Pacific City hotel report you can save for later.
Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa — the splurge that felt worth it
I went big for my partner’s birthday. Oceanfront room. Balcony facing Haystack Rock and the cape. The view hit me like a song. I could hear the surf roll and stop. Then roll again. There’s a gas fireplace and a soaking tub, which I used even though I had salty hair and no shame. If you want extra reassurance, skim the glowing TripAdvisor reviews from guests who echo the same “totally worth it” vibe.
Service felt warm, not stiff. They texted me before check-in to ask if I needed anything. I asked for extra wood for the beach fire. It showed up fast with a smile. Parking was easy in the small garage. Wi-Fi handled a quick video call without stutters. Meridian, the restaurant, served a halibut I still think about. Prices are high, yes. But the plate was hot, the fish was perfect, and the room smelled like cedar and ocean. You’ll find similarly high marks on their Yelp page for both the lodge and the restaurant.
What bugged me? Wind. It howled at night in January and rattled the balcony door a bit. Not loud, but I did notice it. Also, spa slots book fast. I tried to snag a late massage day-of. Nope. If you go, book your treatment early. Pet rooms are a thing here and they do add a fee. My dog loved the beach path. My wallet, less so.
Best for: a special weekend, storm season, proposals, or a “we just need quiet” reset.
Inn at Cape Kiwanda — view for days, with a little street noise
I’ve stayed here twice. Every room faces the ocean. That’s the magic. You get a small balcony, a fireplace, and that big rock staring back at you like a friend. Stimulus Coffee sits right downstairs. I walked down in socks with sandals (don’t judge), grabbed a latte and a cheddar biscuit, and sat on the balcony watching dory boats blast off at sunrise. Goosebumps. It’s that kind of morning.
The flip side: the road. It runs between the inn and the sand. You’ll hear cars during busy hours and happy folks coming out of Pelican Brewing at night. I brought earplugs the second time and slept great. Rooms are tidy and pet friendly in some sections. Water pressure is strong; towels are fluffy, not scratchy. Wi-Fi worked fine for streaming a show.
Parking can feel tight on summer weekends. And the wind moves sand everywhere. I found grit on the balcony chair. It’s the coast. It happens. Staff handed me a fresh towel and a broom with zero fuss, which I liked.
Best for: ocean views without Headlands pricing, easy coffee, simple comfort.
Surf & Sand Inn — budget, clean, and surfer-friendly
This one sits back from the beach on Brooten Road. No view. No frills. But it was clean, friendly, and cheap enough that I didn’t flinch at a second night. My room had a mini-fridge, a microwave, and blackout curtains that actually worked. I walked to Grateful Bread for pancakes the size of my face. Worth it.
Traveling solo and hoping to meet friendly locals after you rinse the sand off? Check out Fuck Local — the site helps visitors connect with singles in the area, so you can swap wave reports or grab a beer instead of scrolling alone in your room. If your travels take you further south and you prefer the classified-ad vibe, the Placentia page on Bedpage can help — this detailed overview walks you through filtering real posts, staying safe, and setting up a quick meet without endless swiping.
Need to pay the old-school way? I also tested a handful of hotels that accept cash and learned what actually works at check-in.
If you want a beach soundtrack, this isn’t it. If you want a clean base camp to chase tides, it does the job well.
Best for: surfers, hikers, anyone who says “I need a good sleep and a fair price.”
Hart’s Camp (Airstreams) — glamping with sandy toes
I booked an Airstream for a fun family weekend. The kids went wild for the shiny trailer and outdoor lights. We had a fire pit, a picnic table, and our own bathroom inside the rig. The bed was softer than I expected. Kitchen had the basics, so we did camp nachos and hot cocoa. Ten-minute walk to the dunes, if you don’t dawdle.
Heads-up: wind. It can whip across the lot, toss your hair, and fling sand like confetti. Tie things down. Also, pack layers. Night temps drop fast, even in July. Quiet hours were real; folks respected them. We heard laughter and guitars at dusk, then it all faded out by ten.
Booking was simple. Check-in felt self-serve and quick. More like camping, less like a hotel lobby. If you want turndown chocolates, this isn’t that. If you want memories, it’s a yes.
Best for: families, friend groups, anyone who says “let’s make s’mores.”
Little notes that saved me
- Bring flip-flops for dune runs. Sand gets hot by noon.
- Fog horn? Some nights, yes. It’s faint but there. Earplugs fix it.
- Dory boats launch early. Cool to watch, a bit loud for light sleepers.
- Parking near Pelican fills fast. I parked once and walked everywhere.
- Tide swings can be big. I check the chart before long beach walks.
- Dogs need rinses. I pack an old towel and a short leash. Easy.
- Looking beyond Pacific City? My candid take on Rockaway Beach hotels shows where the gems and duds hide.
Where I ate between naps
- Pelican Brewing: fish and chips, extra tartar, patio with a view.
- Stimulus Coffee + Bakery: oat milk latte and a sticky bun. Go early.
- Grateful Bread: cinnamon roll and a scramble. Cozy, local, cheery.
- Ben & Jeff’s: fish tacos after a cold water surf. Hits the spot.
So, which one should you pick?
- Headlands: splurge, romance, storms, top service.
- Inn at Cape Kiwanda: big view, mid price, coffee downstairs.
- Surf & Sand Inn: budget, clean, no fuss.
- Hart’s Camp: Airstream fun, fire pits, families and groups.
Would I go back? I already did. Pacific City feels small but full. The beach breathes. The dunes glow at sunset. And yes, your shoes will be sandy. You’ll be happy anyway.
If you’ve got a special night, book Headlands. If you want that ocean gaze without a big bill, the Inn is lovely. Chasing waves on a budget? Surf & Sand is solid. Want a story the kids tell later? Hart’s Camp, hands down.
You know what? Pack layers, bring your sense of humor, and say yes to the biscuit. The rest takes care of itself.