|
The content of this post is gathered from a trip in Oct 2023 and one the end of May 2024 (because I didn't have time to spend in Brookings the previous Oct). It's a lot to cover, and maybe it makes this post too long. I'm certainly overwhelmed at writing it, so I'm working on it over time. I’ve explored the coast of southern Oregon on more than one trip and keep going back for more😊. Here are links to previous posts: Florence to Port Orford, Dune Buggies and Bandon . . . S. Oregon Coast—June 2020
 "North Bend I" boat at the north end of North Bend OR, where Hwy 101 splits into southbound and northbound traffic. At the south end of North Bend is a similar boat where the north and southbound traffic on Hwy 101 come back together. North Bend OR Horsfall--Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Just north of North Bend is the turn-off for the causeway to Horsfall, part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, and the North Spit Boat Launch of Coos Bay. North Bend, Coos Bay, and Empire are nearly all one, and share the shoreline of the Coos Bay. Info about Horsfall campground & dunes David Dewett Veterans Memorial and Bay Bridge Motel, just north of the McCullough Bridge North end of North Bend I included photos and info about Dewitt Veterans Memorial and Simpson Park in a previous post. See links at the top of this post. Below are photos of McCullough Memorial Bridge as well as Ferry Road Park. Downtown North Bend OR, up the hill to City Hall, and down at the Boardwalk along Coos Bay South end of North Bend OR Info, photos, and review of The Mill Casino (also Hotel & RV Park), The Pancake Mill, & Captain’s Choice Restaurant in a previous post, see link at the top of this page.  "North Bend II" at the south end of North Bend. Sawmill & Tribal Trail in "The Bay Area" of the southern OR coast, and the Southern Oregon Coast Charm Trail
Visitor Info Center--50 Central Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420; Broadway & Central--Broadway is southbound Hwy 101 Historic Downtown Coos Bay--the Visitor Center is in the midst of places to see, taste, experience The Blue Heron--100 Commercial Ave, Coos Bay OR 97420; Broadway (southbound Hwy 101) & Commercial Ave For a long time I wanted to try the Oktoberfest plate here, so arranged my trip for October, even though the Oktoberfest plate is available all the time. I awaited opening hour, and had no trouble getting seated in October. I imagine reservations would be in order during the busy times and season. I went looking for landmarks and found some, as pictured below. Coos Bay Elks Lodge in the old Palace Bldg—265 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, OR 97420Old Carnegie Public Library—515 Market St Further wanderings around town Oregon Coast Historical Railway--766 S 1st St, Coos Bay OR 97420; northbound Hwy 101 The Boat Fish & Chips--102 Hall Ave, Coos Bay OR 97420, right next to Oregon Coast Historical Railway Intriguing place & decor. Service and food was fine. West on Commercial Ave toward Empire Empire Since 1965 Empire has been a neighborhood of Coos Bay.Empire Historical Marker
 Beautiful Empire mural abt Wall St & Cape Arago Hwy aka Newmark Ave, near The Dolphin Playhouse (live theater at 580 Newmark Ave, Coos Bay OR 97420) Coos History Museum--1210 N Front St, Coos Bay, OR 97420 Believe it or not, I had to limit the number of photos I included here! Things to explore near Coos History Museum South end of Coos Bay, including Coos Bay Speedway Golden And Silver Falls State Natural Area—take Hwy 241 east from Coos Bay, then to Glenn Creek Rd https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=67 note mileage & inaccessibility The city of Coquille OR published an excellent map, including the county & its towns, in addition to Coquille. Coquille is about 25 mi south of Coos Bay via Hwy 42, past the Coos Bay Speedway. Charleston OR There's more than one way to get to Charleston OR: via North Bend, Coos Bay, or over W Beaverhill Rd north of Bandon. I've gone more than one way, but in Oct 2023 we went by way of the latter, in order to check out the the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (next section of this post). South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve--61907 Seven Devils Rd, 5 mi from Charleston, OR Was closed when we were there.
Charleston Town Charleston Marine Life Center--63466 Boat Basin Rd, Charleston OR Obviously, this place was so fascinating to me, and those I was with! These are not all the photos I took, but too many to put them in opposite order, so just know that the entrance is at the other end of the group below. Parks & Beaches along the Cape Arago Hwy, SW of Charleston OR Photos from late June of 2020, mostly. We didn't get to all of the places, unfortunately. Bastendorff Beach Park-- 63377 Bastendorf Beach Rd, west of Charleston OR Directions to Bastendorff Beach: from Charleston, Oregon, travel west on Cape Arago Highway for 1.5 miles. Turn right onto Bastendorff Beach Road. The beach is 0.5 miles on the left.
Sunset Bay State Park—Hwy 540 (Cape Arago Hwy) SW of Charleston OR There's North Beach, Middle Beach, and South Beach day-use areas, as well as the campground.
Lighthouse Lookout (Cape Arago Lighthouse)
Shore Acres State Park—89526 Cape Arago Hwy, SW of Charleston OR We didn't have time to see everything (plan a full day at least, and bring a lunch, or return for multiple visits), so we principally visited the Japanese part of the garden. Rhodies are more likely to be blooming in May, roses in June. At Christmas they light up the place. Whale watching is best late Dec & late March. Winter waves tend to make the biggest splash. Whale Watching brochure Simpson Reef Overlook--Hwy 540 (Cape Arago Hwy) SW of Charleston OR Cape Arago State Park--Hwy 540 (Cape Arago Hwy) SW of Charleston OR Bandon OR
Whiskey Run Beach--Whiskey Run Ln, Bandon OR 97411 Whiskey Run was an old gold mining area on the coast. Beautiful beach. Take 7 Devils Rd off Hwy 101 (4 mi north of Bandon), then Whiskey Run Lane off 7 Devils Rd.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort--57744 Round Lake Rd, Bandon OR 97411 There's more than one way to get to this resort: Take Randolph Rd west off US Hwy 101, or, Bandon Dunes Dr/Fahy Rd off US Hwy 101. They both intersect with Round Lake Rd. Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge--83673 N Bank Ln off US Hwy 101, north of Bandon OR When taking photos at dusk, the amount of light depends on which direction the camera faces. Also, some photos were taken going out, some back, so the landscape was getting darker. Rocky Point Boat Ramp county park on the Coquille River, east of US Hwy 101 (North of Bandon OR) It was getting dark by the time I finally got out to this spot, so I've lightened the pics some. Bullards Beach State Park—Bullards Beach Rd west of US 101, just north of the Coquille River & Bandon OR Great (and popular) amenities for camping (with showers), RVs, boating, fishing, horse camping, trails, exhibits, beach access, dunes, picnic tables (some with grills) including reservable group shelters, reservable yurt meeting space, Lighthouse at the end of the road. Accessible features: yurts, flush restrooms, camp & picnic. Yurts require reservations. Bandon Shopping Center--120 Michigan Ave NE, Bandon OR 97411; north end of Bandon, off Oregon Coast Hwy aka US Hwy 101 Historic Downtown/Old Town Bandon OR--a quaint shopping area, easy stroll or roll to the boardwalk Bandon Fish Market--249 1st St SE, Bandon OR 97411 . . . a favorite of the locals I know Bandon Boardwalk--lots of fun and fantastic carved wooden art, artistic picnic tables, and it seems an annual art show for locals to enter, visitors to join enjoying the scenes. Farm & Sea market--250 1st St SW, Bandon, OR 97411 Gravel parking area not too delightful for a wheelchair on a rainy day.
Historic Bandon Coast Guard Station--390 1st St SW, Bandon OR 97411; now houses the Port offices
Coquille South Jetty--Lincoln Ave & 3rd St SW, Bandon OR 97411; close to Old Town Bandon I could just about spend all day watching the smashing waves here--from the warmth of the vehicle (a few of the many photos taken in Oct). More of Bandon City An interesting note about 11th St: the hospital is at the east end, Bandon City Park & Library are on the west, and it ends on the west at Coquille Point, with parks, trails, views, and Bandon Beach Motel Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge—Coquille Point (east end of 11th St) w/view of Elephant Rock, etc. South of Bandon OR--along US Hwy 101 More photos of West Coast Game Park Safari (permanently closed, now) Bandon Brochures Coquille OR Coquille River Days in June; Hundred Acre Woods trails; Joy Rails; parks & pools . . . Frazers Bakery has an excellent reputation, as does Uncle Randy's. Shops are friendly and cute. There's a little cluster of fun artsy boutiques downtown. New River OR This is a popular fishing site, as well as a nature center, hiking, wildlife viewing. Langlois ORDragonfly Farm & Nursery--49295 US-101, Langlois, OR 97450; north of town Floras Lake & Boice-Cope Park, north of Denmark OR--92850 "Floras Lake State Natural Area is a vast splendor along the southern Oregon coast, located in northern Curry County between Bandon and Port Orford. The Natural Area features 10 miles of multiuse trails to destinations including Blacklock Point and Floras Lake, as well as 3 miles of sandy beach and almost 1,500 acres of pristine mixed forest. The Natural area is accessed from the north by way of Boice-Cope County Park and from the south by Cape Blanco State Airport." Take Hwy 130 Floras Lake Loop off US Hwy 101, then Hwy 136 Floras Lake Rd, to Boice-Cope Ln. It's a bit of a wander through the countryside, a bit off the heavily trodden path. Not sure how trodden during the season. Photos taken on a wet October day.
Denmark OR Too tiny to have its own website, here's what I found. "Located just outside the tiny town of Langlois, Denmark is a rural, unincorporated area surrounded by farmland and forests. “I think some people are drawn here for the cooler temperatures and ability to live off the grid and have complete privacy,” says Alexis Willick, Realtor for North Point Real Estate and local of seven years. Generations of farmers and ranchers hold onto their properties, so residential homes don’t stay on the market long. U.S. Route 101 has stunning views of green and tan bluffs in the summer, and in the fall, drivers can catch glimpses of reddish-purple cranberry bogs as they head north. Fishing, hiking and mushroom hunting are popular pastimes here, and residents enjoy getting together at the Langlois Artisan Market. “If you choose to, you can know your neighbor. You can be as connected or disconnected as you want here,” says Willick." https://www.homes.com/local-guide/port-orford-or/denmark-neighborhood/ photos included. Bandon/Port Orford KOA--46612 Highway 101, south of Langlois OR 97450 Photos take Oct 2023. Amenities include WIFI, 1/2-acre playground, heated seasonal pool, 14-foot-long seasonal hot tub, hot showers, cable TV. Added costs: snack bar, bike rental, propane, firewood. Sixes OR--north side of the Sixes River, Hwy 101 Just south of Crystal Creek, Sixes Grange is off to the west. Sixes River Road takes one to the east, and campgrounds. Sixes Rec site was closed when I was there, perhaps due to fire/damage Sixes River Rural Fire Protection District is a little north, on the east side of Hwy 101. April 5, 2026 they are hosting an Easter Egg hunt, pancake feed & duck derby. Aug. 15th is the Hometown Heroes fair, car show, and 5K run.
Cape Blanco OR I had attempted to visit a couple times previous, but the way was blockaded due to fire or COVID. Finally Oct 2023 I made it. It seemed a little far west off Hwy 101, but I'm glad I persevered! What a wonderful place. I still couldn't drive up close to the lighthouse, and I think I didn't have my electric chair yet, but I could see it was far out, though the day was overcast.
Fire fighting fall of 2023 Port Orford OR Much more in the works . . . Paradise Point State Recreation Site—take Paradise Point Rd, just north of Port Orchard OR
Port Orford Heads State Park--loop at the west end of Port Orford Hwy, Port Orford OR Go west on 9th St past Golden Harvest Herban Farm, turn left at Port Orford Hwy (across from Arizona St). Hike, picnic, fish, take in the views, exhibits; vault toilets. Not really wheelchair accessible.
Buffington Memorial Park--14th & Arizona St, Port Orford OR A family, group, and community friendly place, "Buffington Park has something for everyone. “It has a basketball court, nature trail, horse arena, horse shoe area, miniature golf course, a new disc golf course, benches, picnic tables, baseball field with handicapped accessible restrooms, a butterfly/hummingbird garden, a tennis and pickleball courts, a dog park and most unexpected, a really outstanding skate park with a beautiful cradle. “The creators of the skate park did an amazing job – the transitions, curves and hips were designed and built with exacting consistency and butter smoothness." Port Orford Vista Point--just south of town along the coast are more spectacular views Misty & overcast in the morning, bright & clear when I returned in the afternoon. Rocky Point--south of Port Orford along the Oregon Coast  Redfish Rocks Marine Preserve--south of Port Orford OR before Hwy 101 heads into Humbug Mtn Humbug Mountain State Park OR--6 mi south of Port Orford OR, Hwy 101 Traveling south on US 101 from Port Orford, the campground is on the left before the day-use area, on the right. Brush Creek intertwines with the road, the campground, the day-use area, the trails. Accessible picnic, camp, flushing restrooms, & hot showers. Lots of hiking;/biking, access to beaach and mountain, great views, fishing, amphitheater, & RV dump.
South of Humbug Mtn. Arizona Beach State Recreation Site—12 mi south of Port Orford OR
Prehistoric Gardens Adventure Park--Hwy 101 about 15 min south of Port Orford OR Got a dinosaur lover or 2 in the family? Or just need a break from being cooped in a car? Sisters Rock State Park--14 mi south of Port Orford, 13 mi north of Gold Beach OR No real amenities, it's a hike with views, and a sea cave at bottom. Between Sisters Rock and Ophir Wayside Ophir Wayside State Park—17 mi south of Port Orford OR, 9 mi north of Gold Beach Some of these photos were taken on my way south, some coming back north . . . life looks different when it's stunningly sunny or wistfully misty. Nesika Beach Geisel Monument State Heritage Site Otter Point State Recreation Site North Bailey Beach Access Gold Beach OR Kissing Rock Cape Sebastian Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint Pistol River Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge Crook Point Arch Rock State Park Spruce Island Viewpoint (Secret Beach) Natural Bridges Thomas Point/Thomas Creek Bridge Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor (Diamond View) Whaleshead House Rock Viewpoint Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint Lone Ranch Beach Harris Beach State Park Brookings OR (Chetco Valley Historical Society/Museum) McVay Rock State Recreation Area Winchuck State Recreation Site Brookings Welcome Center Travel magazines & guides
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2026
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed