Still the Wild Coast - Oregon Coast Magazine

Photo by ?????????
Jon Gnass
The lighthouse at Cape Arago.
South Coast
Still the Wild Coast
S
ee the coast of yesteryear between the
California line and Coos Bay, where
the spectacular ocean views are unobstructed and large stretches between towns are
nearly unchanged. Oregon’s southern coast is
home to the unique and beautiful myrtlewood
trees and to the largest expanse of sand dunes
in North America.
It’s a land of superlatives: fabulous jet boat
trips on the Rogue River, world-class golfing
near Bandon, and great bass fishing on the big
lakes between the Bay Area and Florence.
door shopping mall, a community college, a
culinary institute, a casino, and many cultural
venues. Whether its fishing, golfing, or just
getting away, you’ll find it here.
And it’s a coast of opposites, from the
most pristine lands to the most populated cities. The Bay Area is home to the largest cities
on the Oregon coast—Coos Bay and North
Bend flow seamlessly together and support
medical facilities, a municipal airport, an in-
Brookings–Harbor
42
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
The cities of Brookings and Harbor rest on
opposite sides of the Chetco River, famous for
its salmon and steelhead fishing. Known as the
“banana belt” of the Oregon Coast, Brookings–
Harbor really does enjoy the warmest average
temperatures on the coast. The port offers a selection of seafood markets, ocean charters, camping,
beach access, and lodging.
Flora Pacifica, 5 miles south of Brookings, is
a flower-lover’s dream. Visit the retail shop, open
daily in the summer, for fresh and dried flowers.
The farm is open for tours by appointment.
Azalea Park, a Brookings city park, provides
respite with its manicured gardens, elaborate playground (Kidtown), sports fields, and native stands
of azaleas.
Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area, east of
Brookings, encompasses 180,000 acres of wilderness and is best known for its diverse plant life in
one of the most unusual geological regions in the
country. Accessing trailheads requires an hour or
more travel on gravel roads.
Alfred A. Loeb State Park is part of an
old-growth myrtlewood forest about 10 miles
northeast of Brookings along the Chetco River.
Nearby is the Redwood Nature Trail with the
northernmost stands of redwoods.
Harris Beach State Park, just north of
www.northwestmagazines.com
Circle No. 12 on ad info card.
Brookings, is open all year. Amenities include tent
sites, trailer spaces, yurts, and a hiker/biker camp.
One of the country’s few family-owned
micro-distilleries is worth a short side-trip on
Carpenterville Road just north of Brookings.
Brandy Peak Distillery produces award-winning brandies, liqueurs, and grappa. The distillery
is open for tours and tastings March through
December.
Four miles north of Brookings–Harbor,
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
encompasses 12 miles of spectacular coastline.
Viewpoints along the corridor include Natural
Bridges and Thunder Rock Cove.
Thomas Creek Bridge, at 345 feet above
creek bottom, is the highest bridge in Oregon. See
gigantic, geometric steel legs from the southern
end of the bridge.
Oregon Coast Trail, currently more than
360 miles, can be traversed in short, easy jaunts
or in long stretches. Much of the trail is along
the beach. In Curry County, the trail starts at
Cape Ferrelo and culminates north of Humbug
Mountain State Park.
Gold Beach
www.northwestmagazines.com
atriversedge.com
98203 South Bank Chetco River Road
Brookings, OR 97415 • (541) 469-3356
Toll Free: (888) 295-1441
A Nature Based River Adventure For All Ages. The
Original Rogue River Jet Boat Tour, Under Family
Management Since 1958.
Trips
Daily May 15
Oct 1
1958-2008
ANNIVERSARY
1-800-451-3645
Beautiful scenery,
white water, and family fun.
Located
in Gold Beach
on the Oregon
Coast
Lower
Rogue River
64, 80 and
104 mile
trips
Free
Museum
.
www.roguejets.com
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
43
Circle No. 2 on ad info card.
Relaxing and Memorable
Circle No. 14 on Ad Info Card.
[email protected]
Circle No. 15 on ad info card.
As its name implies, Gold Beach’s history
is tied to the Gold Rush era. Now Gold Beach
is a haven for sport fishermen. Located at the
mouth of the Rogue River, the area is known
for its salmon and steelhead runs and also offers
sturgeon, trout, and a variety of other sport fish.
Fishing from the bank or a boat is a year-round
activity on the Rogue. Jet boating is a family favorite in this area. Jerry’s Rogue Jets and
Rogue River Mail Boats run excursions daily,
May through mid-October. Experienced guides
provide exciting but safe trips and share the history and lore of the region. Curry Historical
Society Museum displays the early history of the
town, including Native American culture, gold
prospecting, and the maritime industry. Closed
Sundays, Mondays, and for the month of January.
Cape Sebastian State Scenic Corridor, 7
miles south of Gold Beach, has one of the most
dramatic overlooks on the South Coast, towering 700 feet above sea level. The 2-mile trail has
several viewpoints.
Nesika Beach and Ophir offer more than
7 miles of uncrowded, wide-open sandy beaches
with seastacks and tide pools to explore. Stop by
the Geisel Monument on Hwy 101 for a historical
reminder of the pioneers’ struggles.
Cedar Bend Golf Course, north of Gold
Beach, offers golfers nine holes in a beautiful
wooded environment and is open year-round.
Prehistoric Gardens, founded in the mid-
Langlois
Just a few miles north of Port Orford,
Langlois has a number of unique shops and galleries.
Photo by Steve Beckner
Bandon
Bandon Beach
1950s, features many life-size dinosaur models
set in a genuine rain forest. Look for a towering
T-Rex on Hwy 101.
Port Orford
Port Orford was established in 1851. The
town of 1,200 offers lodging, dining, and several
art galleries. Boats in Port Orford are not moored
at a dock, but are hoisted out of the water by giant
cranes and deposited on boat trailers or rolling
dollies for storage in dry dock. Both commercial
and sport fishers prize the area and scuba diving
is enjoyed offshore. Visitors hunt for agates on
nearby beaches, do some whale- or storm-watching, or snap one-of-a-kind photos from the cliffs.
Humbug Mountain State Park, south of
Port Orford, rises from ocean level to 1,756 feet.
The trail to the mountaintop is demanding but
worth the effort. Access the beach at the mouth
of Brush Creek. Camping and picnicking are
available with sites for RVs and tents. Battle Rock
City Park, at the south end of the city on Hwy
101, is the site of the first attempted settlement
of Port Orford and a battle between Captain
John Tichenor’s nine-man crew and local Native
Americans. A visitor information center is here.
Elk River Hatchery, on Elk River Road,
is about 7-1/2 miles east of Hwy 101. Chinook
salmon, steelhead, and trout are raised here.
Cape Blanco Lighthouse is 4 miles north of
Port Orford and 5 miles west of Hwy 101 within
Cape Blanco State Park. It is the westernmost
lighthouse in the Lower 48 states and is open for
tours April through October, Thursdays through
Mondays. The campground includes cabins, a
horse camp, and equestrian trails.
Hughes House is a beautifully restored
Victorian home located on the same road as
the lighthouse. It is open for tours on the same
schedule.
Often referred to as Bandon-By-The-Sea, this
community is known for its Old Town, as well as
Face Rock, golf courses, great beaches, and cranberries. Visitors to Old Town discover excellent
restaurants, unique gift shops and galleries, and a
historic waterfront. In the surrounding countryside, 100-year-old cranberry bogs produce some
of the nation’s best berries, which are celebrated
every year in the fall at the annual Cranberry
Festival.
The New River Area of Critical
Environmental Concern is 9 miles south of
Bandon. Here a shifting river mouth parallels
the ocean. This area has just been developed for
public use in the past few years. Miles of trail are
now open.
West Coast Game Park Safari is 7 miles
south of Bandon on Hwy 101. It is America’s largest wild animal petting park with more than 75
species represented among the park’s 450 animals.
Many roam freely and visitors are encouraged to
film, pet, or just observe the wildlife.
Beach exploring begins at the south jetty of
the Coquille River and continues to Face Rock
Wayside and back for a 3-mile loop. With a little
effort, rock hounds will find agates at the south
jetty. For tide pool exploring, Face Rock Wayside
and Coquille Point are best. Bandon Beach is
west of Hwy 101 on Beach Loop Road. Face
Rock Golf Course is a scenic and challenging
nine-hole course with a full-service pro shop,
lounge, and restaurant.
Bandon Historical Society Museum displays a number of maritime collections, Native
American artifacts, and implements used in farming, cheese-making, cranberry harvesting, and
Oceanfront Lodging
• Ocean
View Rooms
Decks
• Balcony Rooms
• Fireplaces & Kitchens
• Spa & Indoor Pool
• Full Suites
• Adjacent Dining Room/Lounge
• WiFi in Rooms
• Guest Laundry
• Economy Rooms
& Cabins
1-800-842-2407
541-347-2453
sunsetmotel.com
sunsetlodge.us
1865 Beach Loop • PO Box 373 • Bandon, Oregon 97411
44
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
Circle No. 10 on Ad Info Card.
• Private
www.northwestmagazines.com
fishing.
Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge is
north of town and can be accessed from Riverside
Drive to the west of Hwy 101 or across the bridge
on the east side of the highway. The refuge
encompasses hundreds of acres of salt marsh,
mudflats, and beach grass near the mouth of the
Coquille River and is home to shorebirds, raptors,
wading birds, and waterfowl.
Coquille River Lighthouse, also known as
Bandon Light, is more than 100 years old. It is
located in Bullards Beach State Park, a mile north
of Bandon. Volunteers staff the lighthouse May
through October. The park also has a boat ramp,
picnic area, campsites, and miles of beach that are
perfect for beachcombing.
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, just north of
Bandon, features three world-class golf courses—
Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, and Bandon
Trails—adjacent to the ocean. Resort accommodations include various lodging choices, restaurants, lounges, golf shops, and a practice center.
Coquille
Circle No. 19 on ad info card.
Incorporated in 1885, Coquille has been the
Coos County seat of government since 1896.
Located 17 miles east of Coos Bay on Hwy 42,
Coquille sits along the banks of the Coquille
River and is known for its lovely historic homes
and charming small-town atmosphere. Sawdust
Theatre offers old-fashioned family-oriented
melodramas from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
For more than 30 years, local performers have
been delighting audiences with sing-a-longs, olios,
comedy skits, and dramas featuring classic “heroine” and “villain” characters.
The Coquille River offers boating, canoeing,
year-round fishing, birding, and other wildlife
viewing. Sturdivant Park, alongside the banks of
the river, provides a boat ramp, camping, and RV
parking.
Myrtle Point
Myrtle Point was built at the confluence of
three rivers––the East, South, and Middle forks
of the Coquille River. Early settlers gave the community its name because it was the highest point
of land near the three rivers and was covered
with myrtle trees. Myrtle Point is the site of Coos
County Fairgrounds. Coos County Logging
Museum is housed in a former church built in
1910 and modeled after the Mormon Tabernacle
in Salt Lake City. The museum presents the history of logging in southwest Oregon and has unusual acoustics. Open daily in summer, otherwise
call 541-572-2626.
www.northwestmagazines.com
Coquille
Valley
Hospital
“Improving Lives
Through Exceptional
Healthcare”
940 E. 5th St., Coquille, OR 97423
541-396-3101 • www.cvhospital.org
• Family Medicine
• Surgical Services, including
inpatient and day-stay surgery
• Emergency Services
• Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Swingbed Services
• Clinical Laboratory
• Medical Imaging (X-Ray)
• Respiratory Therapy
• Rehabilitative Therapy
• Home Health Care Agency
and Resource Center
“Technology with a caring touch”
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
45
Riv
er
Eugene
Airport Way
Florence
Oceanside Dr
Siuslaw
+
North Bend /
Coos Bay
Virginia Ave.
Lakeside
Elkton
River
37
5
Woodland
Coos Bay
22
7
42
Salmon Run is an 18 hole
Championship Golf Course
where enthusiasts & purists
alike will find a challenge
for every club in their bag!
877-423-1234
www.salmonrun.net
Pacific Ocean
brookings
02 Salmon Run Golf Course
Langlois
101
42
Riv
541-347-3106
America’s largest wild animal petting park, an Oregon Coast
Attraction! Our 40th year! www.gameparksafari.com
er
Sixes
Roseburg
Myrtle Point
Coquille
01 West Coast Game Park Safari
42S
08Coquille
36
Riddle
Powers
Port Orford
Ophir
Gold
Beach
r
Rive
Agness
Grants
Pass
e
u
Rog
25
6th St
Coos
Bay
7th St
Mingus
Park
8th St
24
Commer cial
Central
Anderson
32
09
Ingersoll
10th St
5
03
Nesika
Beach
101
Oce
a
d.
n Blv
Bandon
BANDON
4th St.
05
Thompson Rd.
Fairgrounds Rd
ATTRACTIONS
10
7 Newmark St.
North Bend
Charleston
Sherman Ave.
Umpqu
a
Winshester
Bay
Broadway
Reedsport
hell
27
38
Pony
Slough
28
Cau
g
Ellensburg Ave
101
23
Newport
Ave.
Gold Beach
Medford
26
Gold Beach
03
199
Cedar Bend
Golf Course
Brookings
iver
co R
19 Chet02
Nestled in the woods,
Cedar Bend has long been
a challenging gem on the
Coast. With a terrific new
clubhouse, it’s even better
than ever! 541-247-6911
101
800-451-3645
Free Museum/Gift Shop open year round. www.roguejets.com
800-953-4800
Hwy 101 on Coos Bay • Open 24 Hours
Reedsport
06 Umpqua Discovery Center 409 Riverfront Way
New natural history wing now open! 541-271-4816
WINCHESTER BAY
07 Great Adventures Dune Tours & Rides
877-271-0369
Ultimate tours, #1 Good time, personalized service, By appt.
CA
NORTH BEND
10 Pancake Mill Restaurant 541-756-2751
Breakfast-Lunch-Pie Shop-Espresso-Bakery, On Hwy 101
Where to Shop
BANDON
11 Devon’s Boutique 541-347-8092
Fine women’s apparel collections unique to boutique shopping. Old Town
www.devonsboutique.com
Reedsport
12 Reedsport Pharmacy & Gifts, 541-271-3631
Wonderful gifts, collectibles, jewelry & home decor!
Services
13 The Myrtlewood Gallery • 1125 Hwy 101 541-271-4222
COQUILLE
08 Coquille Valley Hospital 541-396-3101
Improving Lives Through Exceptional Health Care. Your
partner for a Healthy Community! www.cvhospital.org
Where to Eat
COOS BAY
09 Benetti’s Italian Restaurant 541-267-6066
Bay view. Genuine Italian cuisine, full bar, nightly dinner
specials. 260 S. Broadway, Hwy 101 S www.benettis.com
46
California
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
Winchester Bay
14 Sportsman’s Cannery & Seafood BBQ
541-271-3293
Fresh, canned, gift packs. Weekend outdoor seafood BBQ.
Where to Stay
BANDON
15 Bandon Beach Vacation Properties, LLC 888-441-8030
16 Bandon Inn Rogue River
Gold Beach
Harbor
04 Jerry’s Rogue Jets & Rogue Museum
NORTH BEND
05 The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park
04
541-347-4417 800-526-0209
Overlooking Old Town to the Pacific, stunning views,
completely renovated. www.bandoninn.com
3326
Hunter
Creek Rd
101
17 Exclusive Property Management Vacation Rentals
www.visitbandon.com 541-347-3790/800-527-5445
Vacation rentals for 1-20 guests. Many to choose from.
18 Sunset Oceanfront Accommodations
800-842-2407
Unsurpassed ocean view. Motel units, cabins, pool, spa.
Close to golf courses, town. [email protected]
brookings-harbor
19 AtRivers Edge RV Resort 888-295-1441
Full hook-ups, cabins, riverfront, clubhouse,
high-speed wireless. www.atriversedge.com
20 Best Western Beachfront Inn
800-468-4081
All oceanfront rooms with beautiful views!
Pool, spa, jacuzzi rooms.
CHARLESTON
21 Charleston Marina RV Park 541-888-9512
98 full-service sites at the harbor. charlestonmarina.com
COOS BAY
22 Annie’s Cottage 541-269-2473
Watch the ships come in vacation rental. Jacuzzi tub,
washer/dryer www.anniescottage.org
23 EDGEWATER INN 800-233-0423
www.northwestmagazines.com
18th St
To Coquille 7
Heads
State
Park
Seabird Dr.
nvi
ew
T
Coquille
Beao S Jett
River
ch L y &
oop
Dr.
1st St
15
Dri
ve
Winchester Bay
Oceanview Drive
101
01
11
16
2nd St
BOAT
BASIN
31
ll R
oa
d
Old M
i
42
S
To Hwy
42S
Downtown Bandon
+
11th St !"#$%&'()
Langlois
101
9th St
10th St
30
14
Deady St
101
Bandon Shopping Center
ea
Pacific Ocean
Port Orford
Fillmore
Oc
20
Bandon
State
Park
39
Battle Rock
Wayfinding Park
Elmira
d
am
nh
Be
U.S.
Coast
Guard
Station
ne
La
5th St
Delaware
R
Viewing Shelter
Chicago
34
Baltimore
101
Ore on Ave.
g
Rd
101
Port of
Port Orford
Alabama
Beach Loop R
oad
Bandon
18
Area
Pe
dr
iol
i
Chetco River
r
rbo
r Ha
we
Lo
Boardwalk
Sh
op
ping C
en
ter
Alder St
Bandon
8th
y
er
p
ve
tco A
Che
et
m
Ce
Lo o
02
19
9th St
Jefferson St
42
S
Co Guard Ro
ast
Brookings-Harbor
13th St
ad
Oregon
Coquille River
Lighthouse
14th St
Lake
Jackson St
Lakeshore
Drive
Bullards Beach
State Park
Pinehurst
Garrison
17
15th St
Umpqua
Lighthouse
State Park
Reedsport
21
101
COOS BAY
35
Cape
Arago
Hwy
SOUTH
SLOUGH
Holiday Motel
06
38
Riverfront Way
ve
Dri
by
b
i
L
e.
r
Fi
101
Av
40
133
30 Winchester Bay Inn 800-246-1462
Quiet, on the harbor. View, suites & spa units, available.
S
r.
chofield C
Downtown • Indoor Pool
Spa • Exercise Room
Continental Breakfast
Kitchen Suites • Internet
800-228-8655
www.bestwestern.com
Umpqua
Discovery
Center
Winchester Ave.
lf
Ba Mo
y o
07
17th St
JO
EN
EY
SL
OU
GH
24
Ha
Umpqua
River
Winchester
Bay
SalmonFloras L.
Harbor
Dr.
d
ad R
s He
Coo
n
29
Charleston
Visitor Information
14th St.
Umpqua
Shopping
Center
12
31 Bandon Chamber & Visitor Center
541-347-9616
Free events calendar, PO Box 1515 Bandon, OR 97411
www.bandon.com
email: [email protected]
25
145 Newly Renovated
Guest Rooms
Non-smoking Restaurant & Sports Lounge
Hwy 101 • 1-800-RED LION • www.redlion.com/coosbay
GOLD BEACH
26 Turtle Rock RV Resort
800-353-9754
Cottages, RV/Tent sites by the Ocean, “Pull-Thru’s”
turtlerockresorts.com
NORTH BEND
27 A Co-Zee Bed & Breakfast 541-817-6117
Reedsport
28 Northwest Land Management
Choose from many campgrounds.
650-322-9255
www.clm-services.com
Winchester Bay
29 Winchester Bay RV Resort
541-271-0287
32 Bay Area Chamber-Highway 101 800-824-8486
For info about crabbing, clamming, beaches, dune buggies,
hiking, biking, motels and camping. Coos Bay, North Bend,
Charleston. 50 Central Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420
www.OregonsAdventureCoast.com
33 Gold Beach Visitor Center 800-525-2334
94080 Shirley Lane, Gold Beach, OR 97444
Local 541-247-7526 www.GoldBeach.org
34 Brookings–Harbor Chamber Of Commerce
www.brookingsor.com
800-535-9469
16330 Lower Harbor Road, Brookings, OR 97415
35 Charleston Visitors Center
541-888-2311
(May-September) 91141 Cape Arago Hwy, PO Box 5735,
Charleston, OR 97420
36 Coquille Chamber of Commerce
& Visitor Information Center 541-396-3414
119 N Birch, Coquille, OR 97423 www.coquillechamber.org
18th St.
37
101
Over 10 miles of
Freshwater Lakes, Fishing,
21st St.
Water Recreation,
Relaxation. Boating,
22nd St.
Camping & Fun!
Lakeside Chamber
of Commerce
www.lakesideorchambers.com • 541-759-3981
38 North Bend Visitors Center 800-472-9176
1380 Sherman Avenue/Hwy 101, North Bend, OR 97459
www.northbendcity.org
39 Port Orford Chamber 541-332-4106
Gateway to America’s Wild Rivers Coast.
discoverportorford.com
40 Reedsport-Winchester Bay Chamber Of Commerce
541-271-3495
Oregon’s Dune Country. Free color brochure. 800-247-2155
138 Full hook-up sites with bay or ocean view, 2 launch ramps.
www.northwestmagazines.com
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
47
Charleston
Photo by Steve Beckner
This quaint fishing village southwest of Coos
Bay is slightly off the beaten path, but worth the
drive. Sport and commercial fishers take advantage of one of the safest harbors on the coast.
Follow signs on Hwy 101 to Ocean Beaches and
Charleston.
Charterboat trips are popular with anglers
who try for salmon, halibut, tuna, and other fish.
Licensed charterboats also take trips offshore
to view marine mammals and seabirds. South
Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, on
Seven Devils Road south of Charleston, comprises 4,700 acres along the south slough of Coos
Bay (the bay, not the city), and includes 600 acres
of tidal marshes, mudflats, and open-water channels. A 3-mile trail loops through coastal forest,
freshwater wetland, and salt marshes. The interpretive center is the headquarters for numerous
activities open to the public.
Cape Arago State Park is at the end of Cape
Arago Hwy south of Charleston. The scenic
headland was first spotted from sea by Sir Francis
Drake in the late 1500s. Offshore, a colony of
seals and sea lions can be seen on Shell Island,
part of Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
Cape Arago Lighthouse, just south of Coos
Bay, is not open to the public but can be viewed
from a turnout a half-mile past Sunset Bay.
Shore Acres State Park is a combination
of rugged sandstone cliffs and beautiful manicured gardens along the ocean bluffs south of
Charleston. The park was once the estate of
pioneer timber baron Louis Simpson and boasts
seven acres of gardens. The site also boasts some
of the most spectacular storm waves on the
Oregon coast.
Coos Bay Boardwalk
The Bay Area
Oregon’s Bay Area includes Charleston, Coos
Bay, and North Bend, and is the most populated
region on the Oregon coast. The area is home
to Southwestern Oregon Community College
and its Performing Arts Center, several theaters,
and shopping opportunities at nationally known
chain stores as well as local shops. The area’s maritime commerce center is the largest deep-draft
coastal harbor between San Francisco Bay and
Puget Sound.
See what the
BUZZ is about!
The Mill RV Park Amenities:
• Full RV Hookups
• 30/50 amp service
• Pull-through
spaces
up to 68’
• Bayview Spaces
• Showers
• Laundry
• Convenience Store
• Pet Walking Area
• Free Wi-Fi
• Casino Shuttle
• Group Rates
• Discounts for Mill
Club Members
• Use of gym,
arcade and pool
The Mill Casino • Hotel Amenities:
• Bayside Hotel
with Jacuzzi
Suites
• Gym • Arcade
• Bayview Dining
• Big Buffets
• Waterfront
RV Park
• Nightly
Entertainment
541.756.8800 or 800.953.4800
Hwy. 101 on Coos Bay • www.themillcasino.com
48
our
27th
Year!
• Indoor Pool
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
0801_Oregon Coast Magazine_Oregon Vacation Guide_2.375x4.75
Circle No. 31 on ad info card.
• Slots, Blackjack,
Craps, Roulette,
Poker and Keno
Breakfast • Lunch • Espresso
Pie Shoppe • Lite Specialties
Meat Free Selections
Open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hwy 101
• North Bend, Oregon
(541) 756-2751
www.pancakemill.com
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
www.northwestmagazines.com
Sunset Bay State Park has sandy beaches
and towering cliffs. The park campground has
tent and RV sites as well as yurts. Day-use and
picnic areas are located along the bay. Trails
connect Sunset Bay with Shore Acres and Cape
Arago state parks. Sunset Bay golf course is
nearby.
Coos Bay & North Bend
Coos Bay’s rejuvenated downtown area, adjacent to the bay and the Coos Bay Boardwalk, provides an attractive commercial area for residents
and visitors alike.
The century-old city of North Bend is also
located on the bay. Much of its historic downtown is situated along Hwy 101 and features art
galleries and antique and novelty shops.
Gaming at the waterfront Mill Casino–
Hotel includes slots, blackjack, craps, roulette,
and poker. A performance hall seats 1,200 for
famous-name acts. A video arcade is popular with
children. Other amenities include restaurants
and a lounge, free RV parking and a free shuttle
service. A new RV park has been added, and a
$40 million expansion has begun, which will be
completed in phases during the next three years.
Myrtlewood factories are found along the
coast between Gold Beach and Florence. Visitors
to any of the nine myrtlewood factories can watch
master woodworkers create furniture, bowls,
clocks, jewelry, and more, revealing the wood’s
amazing range of color and hue.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
extends along the coast from Coos Bay to the
Siuslaw River in Florence. The 32,000-acre,
47-mile-long area is a wonderful mix of dunes,
beaches, forests, and lakes. The dunes are always
in motion, a paradise for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Quieter activities include birding, horseback
riding, and hiking. Campgrounds and trailheads
allow easy access.
Winchester Bay
Head to Salmon Harbor when visiting the
fishing village of Winchester Bay. Harbor activities include sightseeing and charter fishing
excursions, exploring gift shops and galleries,
and dining on fresh seafood. Overnight lodging,
camping, and full service RV parks are plentiful,
and the marina can accommodate 550 boats. The
crab dock is an ideal location to fish, crab, or simply watch birds and seals. Located in the heart of
the Oregon Dunes, Winchester Bay is a popular
spot for the ATV crowd. The dunes are some of
the highest and most challenging in the country.
Umpqua River Lighthouse sits on the
bluffs along Umpqua Lighthouse Loop south of
Winchester Bay. The 65-foot lighthouse, still in
service, emits a red and two white flashes through
its bulls-eye lenses. Tours are offered from May
through October.
Umpqua Lighthouse State Park has day-use
areas plus a campground near small, little-known
Lake Marie with RV and tent sites, log cabins,
and deluxe yurts. Lake Marie is great for fishing
and non-motorized boats.
Reedsport
This riverfront community of 4,400 rests on
the south shore of the Umpqua River, approximately 5 miles from the ocean. The visitor center
at Hwys 101 and 38 houses the headquarters
for Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
and Reedsport–Winchester Bay Chamber of
Commerce. A world-class skatepark, rated one
of the top 10 in the United States, boasts one of
the only loopable full-pipes in existence. At the
Umpqua Discovery Center, exhibits illustrate
the history of the Reedsport area and how life revolved around the tides. The natural history wing
shows through huge murals the unique geology
and ecology of the area. The center is open all
year except winter holidays.
Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area runs along
Hwy 38 approximately 3-1/2 miles east of
Reedsport. A herd of 100 to 150 free-roaming
Roosevelt elk often can be seen from viewing
areas and pullouts.
Gardiner
Located along the Umpqua River estuary just
north of Reedsport, Gardiner was established in
1851. A walking tour encompasses historic homes,
the cemetery, and the Episcopal Church with its
red door. A new gallery along the highway is a
sign of an emerging artistic community.
Lakeside
Lakeside is the gateway to Tenmile Lakes.
The two lakes together make up one of the busiest boating locales along the coast. The town,
though small, offers visitors fishing, boating,
sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and water skiing.
Visitor services include motels, a lodge, RV parks,
restaurants, a gas station, markets, jet ski rentals,
boat moorage, and marinas.
William M. Tugman State Park is off Hwy
101 on Eel Lake, north of Lakeside. The park has
a day-use area and campsites, each with electric
and water service, as well as yurts. Eel Lake offers
fishing, swimming, canoeing, sailing, and boating.
www.northwestmagazines.com
182 Bayfront Loop
Winchester Bay
541-271-3293
Fresh Seafood Barbecue
Served Outdoors
Picnic Style!
BBQ Fridays 4 –7, Saturdays 12–7,
Sundays 12–5 During the Summer
Grilled Salmon • Oysters • Halibut
Tuna • A non-seafood entree too!
Oregon Vacation Guide 2008~2009
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