Registered or Premium Member? LOG IN  |  Become a Member: TRY PREMIUM FREE
 
 
Find A Camera,
Spot, or Forecast
Find A Surf Spot
Or Forecast By Location
 
 
Brookings Jetty - Break Data
Surf spot travel photo of Brookings Jetty
Description
Known to many as Oregon's "banana belt" because of its sun-friendly topography, Brookings-Harbor is a choice retiree destination, basking in the warmest average temperatures on the Oregon coast. Thriving on tourist dollars (as all coastal Pacific Northwest burgs do), the area boasts a few ultra-scenic state parks and waysides ideal for day-hikes, picnicking and, though rare, surfing.

One of the more reliable sources comes by way of a short stretch of sand and pebbly parking area fronted by the Beachfront RV Park and Chetco River U.S. Coast Guard station, immediately below the stout Brookings-Harbor jetty.

Considering the jetty's length, its southwest-facing direction and offshore rocks that boast a remarkable ability to deflate northerly swells, the Brookings surf size is usually more piddly than what you'll find above Crescent City or up around Gold Beach. During higher tides, the surf breaks close to shore, when it's usually the best (and mushiest) shape. At low tide, the sand bottom draws dangerously close to the ocean surface, providing for some hollow, fast peaks, left and right, although closeouts dominate. The southbound littoral drift has been known to be a wee bit inconvenient, but beginners will find the Brookings Jetty to be user-friendly, as the beach slopes gently and inside whitewater abounds. 		Best Tide:
medium to high
Best Swell Direction:
SW
Best Size:
knee-high to a foot overhead
Best Wind:
NE
Perfect-O-Meter:
3 (1=Lake Erie; 10=Jeffreys Bay)
Bottom:
sand
Ability Level:
beginner and up
Bring Your:
any wavecraft will do, 5/4/3mm hooded fullsuit with booties, plus the optional gloves
Best Season:
summer and early fall
Access:
From 101 south, bear left onto West Benham Lane, the first stoplight north of California. Follow the road down the hill and turn left onto Boat Basin Road at Beachfront RV Park. Veer into the dirt parking strip directly in front of the surf spot.
Crowd Factor:
The jetty waters are always occupied on hot afternoons and weekends, but relatively empty any other time. Ignore the Brookings high schoolers who might try to throw a little attitude your way.
Local Vibe:
generally mellow, given the spot's lack of punch
Bicep Burn:
3 (1=1ft Waikiki; 10=15ft Ocean Beach)
Poo Patrol:
2 (1=clean; 10=turds in the lineup)
Hazards:
renegade RVs, moderate shark danger due to the jetty's proximity to the Chetco Rivermouth.
Places To Eat
Beachfront RV Park has a deli (16024 Boat Basin Rd., 541-469-5867 or 800-441-0856). Torero's Authentic Mexican Restaurant (includes a full bar, 16218 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-2771) is right next to Chetco Seafood Co. (16182 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-9251), a righteous seafood market that serves up some mighty fine dinners and fish-and-chips, not to mention some nifty gift packs.

Just down the street, in the nice little yellow/beige business park of the Port of Brookings-Harbor, you'll find Espresso Gallery (541-469-3161) and The Hungry Clam (16350 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-2526), next door to the toy shop, dishes up seafood, "world-famous" fish-and-chips, chicken, burgers, beer and wine. There's a sweet ice cream parlor here called Slugs n' Stones n' Ice Cream Cones (16360 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-7584). Next to that are Righetti's Sporthaven Italian-American Restaurant and Lounge (16362 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-5200) and Rascals Cocktail Lounge. Behind that is the Wharfside Restaurant(16362 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-7316) serving fresh seafood. More epic seafood can be found at Dick and Casey's Gourmet Seafood Market (16372 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-9494) at the boat launching area.

For a little Asian flair, cruise right across the street and up Shopping Center Avenue, where you'll find the cheap Oceanside Diner (16403 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-7971) and Chan's Chinese Restaurant (16289 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-7013). Up on Highway 101 is the casual Wild River Pizza and Brewing Co., serving up some insane pizzas with quality suds amongst a pool table/video game ambiance (16279 Highway 101, 541-469-7454 or 877-720-9453).
Places To Stay
There's a big Best Western Beachfront Inn ($79-$165, 16008 Boat Basin Rd., 800-468-4081 or 541-469-7779) across the street from Smugglers, where all rooms have an ocean view and Jacuzzi suites are available (nice to have on those dismal rainy Oregon days, when south winds ruin the surf at the jetty). Down the street, across from Four M Tackle, is the relatively cheaper but tiny Ocean Suites ($65 for two people, 16045 Lower Harbor Drive, 541-469-4004). Pilots of RVs may prefer Driftwood RV Park ($16-$22, 16011 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-9089) or Portside RV Park ($14-$28, 16219 Lower Harbor Rd., 541-469-6616). Neither of the area's two campgrounds lie within easy reach of the Brookings Jetty, but they come highly recommended for lovers of nature and those who choose to save money. Just north of town, the 150-site (with six yurts) campground at Harris Beach State Park is closest to the surf, and the shorebreak setup out front is sometimes good for bodyboarding and bodysurfing. The place offers a Laundromat, full hookup sites, flush toilets, hot showers, firewood and a dump station. Reservations are suggested (800-452-5687) during the summer tourist season. About 10 miles inland, up North Bank Chetco River Road, is the 50-site (with three log cabins) Alfred A. Loeb State Park, a bitchin' spot right on the river. Key if you're into fishing and hangin' in the myrtlewood groves, but not so good if you want the full ocean experience. Both campgrounds can be reached at 800-551-6949, 541-469-2021.

Or try
Things To Do
Several charter boats operate out of the Port of Brookings-Harbor (541-469-2218, www.port-brookings-harbor.org). Check out the 345-foot-tall Thomas Creek Bridge, the highest of its kind in Oregon.
Surf Shops
Wax and such can be found at Sessions Surf Co. on the main drag in downtown Brookings (800 Chetco Ave., 541-412-0810)
Surf Schools
Listings for surf schools in Oregon

Find a surf shop or a surf school in your area.
Have a correction, update or addition for this spot? Contact us at travel@surfline.com