The first stop on the "Three Capes Loop" Cape Mears combines gorgeous scenery with the unique sight of the 35 feet tall Cape Mears Lighthouse. Positioned up on a high, rocky cliff, the light from this adorable little building heads out to sea at 217 feet above the ocean. Built in 1890, the lighthouse remained fully operational until it was decomissioned in 1963. An aeronautical beacon now guides ships around this location. The lighthouse is open to visitors from April through October, 11am to 4pm daily. There's no admission fee, but donations are accepted to assist in the maintenance of both the lighthouse and the surrounding area. If for no other reason, visitors are encouraged to stop by the lighthouse to see if there is indeed a ghost haunting that short, but adorable little lighthouse on Oregon's upper coast.

Originally selected as the site for what is now Cape Mears Lighthouse, Cape Lookout lost its bid to host the lighthouse due to a map-making error in identifying the two capes. By the time the error was discovered, construction was too far along at the Cape Mears location, and President Benjamin Harrison stepped in and officially declared Cape Mears to be the location for the lighthouse. Today, Cape Lookout has much to offer for those wishing to go exploring. There are more than eight miles of hiking and walking trails that wind in and around Cape Lookout State Park. Hand gliders and paragliders also love this area. Be sure to look up when exploring this area. You never know what you might see!

Cape Kiwanda, the third stop along the "Three Capes Loop", offers great scenery, incredible waves for those who wish to surf, and lots of spacious beach for all to enjoy. Although Cape Kiwanda is the smallest of the three capes, the waves are often at their best here. As the wind whips up the waves for great surfing or swimming, kite flyers often spread out across the beach while hang gliders enjoy the spacious sky above the cape.

It's often easy to forget, when observing the gorgeous Pacific Ocean how easy it is for a storm to kick up out to sea. Storm-watching is a favorite pasttime of coast visitors, particular during the winter months. This photo, taken in November 2001, offers only a hint of what can be observed from Cape Kiwanda as one of these winter storms takes shape and heads inland.

Yet, despite the clear strength of the storm in the distance, the observers back at the cape can enjoy fairly peaceful weather. This photo, also taken in November 2001 at Cape Kiwanda, demonstrates the great balance of nature. As the powerful storm brews out to sea, closer to land a seagull enjoys the breeze and sails onward. Scenes like this one are just one more reason so many visitors flock to the Oregon coast at any time of year.

Finally, while not actually part of the "Three Capes Loop", Cape Foulweather, located a few miles south of the southern end of the loop, has beauty and spectacular sights all its own to share with visitors. Named by the British navigator Captain James Cook in 1778, Cape Foulweather can be gorgeous (as seen here in late November) or treacherous (as it was for Captain Cook upon his arrival at the coast). Greeted that day by a sudden and severe storm that nearly ended his historical expedition, Captain Cook appropriately named the area "Cape Foulweather". To this day, visitors never know what type of weather they may encounter here, but no matter what, it's almost always an enjoyable experience.

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