The best left-hand pointbreak in North America sits at the base of Tillamook Head in Seaside, Oregon, and it will not tolerate tourists. W and SW swells wrap around the headland and unzip into long, hollow, zippered lefts that peel along slimy boulders with almost no room for error. SE to NE winds go offshore, and south winds are blocked by the head entirely, making midwinter sessions surprisingly glassy. First Point handles 4ft to well overhead and holds past 15ft. Second Point farther out is shorter, juicier, and the better indicator. Strictly for experienced surfers who can read a fast, punishing barrel and manage a boulder entry in cold water. Bottom: rock and cobble boulders. Season: September through February. Consistency: medium but reliable when swell tracks W to SW. Bring a 4/3 minimum and accept that a wipeout here ends on rocks.
This is widely regarded as the most localized break on the West Coast. The local crew is territorial by reputation and by action. Out-of-state plates draw attention, and the Community reports and forecast services both confirm incidents beyond shouted warnings. Do not paddle out here uninvited. If the point is stacked, the cove inside offers a legitimate alternative without the same pressure, and the shore break can go off on its own terms.
Exit Highway 101 at Avenue U at the south end of Seaside. Turn onto Edgewood and park roadside overlooking the cove. The point itself requires a 600m hike over large, slick boulders before you even reach the water. Shore pound on the entry is heavy on all but the most southerly swells. A restroom and shower facility is across from the lot but is closed in winter. Sharks are present in the lineup.
Seaside Cove, just inside the point, works on similar swells and is more forgiving at both high tide and for surfers not ready for the point itself. Cannon Beach, a few miles south, offers beachbreak peaks and a less confrontational environment. Indian Beach at Ecola State Park is a sheltered cove worth checking when Seaside is maxed or the crowd is impenetrable.
Forecast by Windy.app
