Where the 45th Parallel Meets the Pacific
Lincoln City lies on the 45th Parallel, the line of latitude exactly halfway between the equator and the North Pole.
Lines of latitude are imaginary horizontal lines that circle the Earth, measuring how far north or south a location lies from the equator. One of these lines, known as the 45th Parallel, sits 45 degrees north of the equator and 45 degrees south of the North Pole - the halfway point of the northern hemisphere.
It’s a fitting marker for Lincoln City, because this is a place defined by balance, where opposites meet in harmony. Land meets sea, outdoor adventure meets indoor comforts, sunshine meets rain, and forest meets beach. Balance thrives here and you can experience a little bit of everything in one place.
Lincoln City shares this line of latitude with some epic locations around the globe, from the Alps in France to deserts in Mongolia, geysers in Yellowstone, forests in Maine and vineyards in Italy. The sun strikes all these places at the same angle each day, and they also all have equal lengths of daylight and darkness throughout the year.
In Oregon, markers and signs highlight the 45th parallel in several locations throughout the state. There is even a brewery dedicated to the latitude in Independence called Parallel 45 Brewing. But only in Lincoln City can you walk on the beach, stand on the parallel, and gaze out at the edge of a continent all at once!
So, where exactly is the 45th parallel in Lincoln City?
The line runs east-west through the south end of the Road’s End neighborhood, across Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians land, and across Highway 101. Two signposts guide visitors to the line: one at the beach access near Chinook Winds Casino, and another along the new walking path and footbridge on Highway 101.
Snap a photo by the sign, placing one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other in the south, and feel the balance of this unique place.