Agate Beach, Sand beach in Tillamook County, Oregon, US
Agate Beach is a sand beach on the Oregon coast in Tillamook County. The shoreline is dotted with rocks and pebbles where semi-precious stones, including agates and jaspers, lie mixed with the sand.
The coastline around Tillamook County was shaped over a very long time by volcanic activity and the slow work of waves and erosion, which gradually brought agates and other minerals to the surface. The beach takes its name from these stones, which drew collectors to this stretch of the Oregon coast long before it became widely known.
Agate Beach draws visitors who come to search for stones along the shoreline, a pastime that locals have practiced for generations. The most sought-after finds are carnelian agates, which glow orange-red against the darker rocks, and moonstone agates, which let light pass through them.
The best time to search for stones is at low tide, and winter visits tend to offer the most exposed rock beds after strong waves. Always watch the water, as unexpected waves can move in quickly along this stretch of coast.
Agates are easiest to spot when they are wet, because water brings out the bands and colors that dry stones hide. Holding a stone up to the light is the simplest way to tell an agate apart from an ordinary pebble on the beach.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
