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 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. 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
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 Bandon Brochures New River Langlois Boice Cope Park Denmark Bandon/Port Orford KOA Floras Lake State Natural Area Cape Blanco OR Sixes Port Orford OR Hubbard Creek Beach Port Orford Vista Point Rocky Point Humbug Mountain State Park OR Arizona Beach State Rec Site Prehistoric Gardens Sisters Rock State Park Ophir Wayside 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
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Wheelchair WomanI've been in a wheelchair for 30+ years. It poses some challenges for traveling. Maybe others can benefit from my experiences. Archives
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