Needles and a haystack

Of the many rugged formations lining the 362-mile Oregon Coast, Haystack Rock might be the best known. Standing 235 feet from sand to summit, it's one of the tallest sea stacks in the United States, and the surrounding beach (dotted with smaller stacks known as the Needles) is a favorite for sunset strolls and tide pooling. Lovers of '80s cinema already know Haystack's main claim to fame: 'The Goonies,' where it makes a memorable backdrop to a ragtag group of kids' quest for pirate treasure. Standing a short walk from downtown Cannon Beach, the rock is about 25 miles south of Astoria—the Goonies' hometown in the film and Oregon's oldest city.