Surf Forecast  Gas Chambers - Pacific City

Gas Chambers - Pacific City surfspot characteristics

More about Gas Chambers - Pacific City surfspot

A bit further down the beach from Toilet Bowl, the sand build-up inside the Cape lessens and some stronger, larger waves can appear in various W swells. Good when the swell is smaller as it will have more punch and pitch, plus can get heavy slab peaks as it goes up in size. Hollow at low - mush at high but still the best option for more experienced surfers. There’s also good beachbreak straight out from the bridge and further south in Robert W. Straub State Park. On S winds, try north of Cape Kiwanda towards Tierra Del Mar for often excellent and powerful beachbreak with some wind protection.

The main Pacific City beachbreak gets more crowded each year. It’s State Park and parking is limited, typically filling by 10am on spring weekends and earlier in peak summer season. The surf contest held here each August is known for being a real gathering of the Northwest tribe and a fun event. Celebrity guest stars of recent years have included John Peck and Gerry Lopez. Possible shark danger, and watch out for renegade jet skis and dory boats, which are both permitted to launch from the beach. Hard to tell how Pacific City got its name, since Bob Ledbetter’s South County Surf shop is just about the biggest operation in town, and it’s in his home (okay, there are some restaurants and a post office!).