This is my absolute favorite state park in the country. A lengthy and curvy drive through the thick forest leads you to two hilly overlooks, each with access to the beach below. The paths down the steep hillsides are easily navigable but can be quite muddy in the off-season.
The beach at Ecola State Park is much more dramatic than the sandy stretch from Tolovana to Cannon Beach. Waves come crashing hard upon the shore and the steep cliffs loom above the relatively thin strip of beach. Surfers congregate at the Indian Beach turnoff, but the casual visitor will also enjoy the panormic views of the never ending ocean.