The best of the sea’s treasure comes ashore and after a big storm it's always a surprise! The ocean will bring you new and exciting things every day! You’ll find beautiful driftwood, agates, shells, sea creatures, fishing boat equipment, and if you’re lucky, a Japanese fishing float shaken loose from the seaweedy depths, or a multi-colored handblown float from Lincoln City’s Glass Floats Finders Keepers Event.

For some, there’s no prize like an agate. The semi-transparent stones are pieces of quartz, carnelian, chalcedony and jasper that come loose from the headlands during storms and are left behind when the waves recede at low tide. Agates come in all colors, but most of them are clear or milky. Some even contain tiny fossils.

Japanese glass fishing floats are highly valued by dedicated beachcombers. Some are huge, up to two and three feet in diameter; most, however, are between four inches and a foot wide. They come in various shapes, colors and sizes. They are becoming increasingly rare as fishing boats around the world convert to modern materials like plastic or Styrofoam to float their nets. When the glass versions do appear, they are usually very old and have spent many years drifting in the Pacific Ocean.

Perhaps the most fruitful season for beachcombing is the winter, after a particularly high tide and after a big storm. But beware: that’s also the most dangerous time to be on the beach.

Walking the beaches of Oregon can yield a treasure trove – agates, shells, nets, driftwood, a multitude of gifts from the sea. But in Lincoln City, beachcombers can also find brand-new art glass floats, gifts from the City of Lincoln City as part of its yearly Glass Floats Finders Keepers Event.