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Located at the confluence of the Siuslaw River and the Pacific Ocean, Florence welcomes visitors to experience the diverse wonders of the central Oregon Coast. Explore charming and historic Old Town on the river before viewing wildlife along dramatic coastal headlands. Immerse yourself in the dynamic ecosystem of the Oregon Dunes with a quiet kayak tour or an exciting dune buggy ride.
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Scenic Drives & Landscapes
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This small port town is located on the north coast’s Tillamook Bay, with a backdrop of thickly forested hills. Its bay-front location makes it a great fishing and crabbing destination for recreational fishermen. Also, this area is rife with history. Long before Captain Robert Gray landed here in 1788, this area was the home to members of the Tillamook, Nehalem and Nestucca Native American tribes.
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Outdoor Adventure
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August and September are great months to ride along Oregon’s hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails, from sky-high mountainside switch backs to moderate single tracks through heavily forested foothills. Across the state, from the Coast to the Willamette Valley to Central Oregon, sunny skies and dry conditions are pretty much the norm this time of year. Below are three trails of varying skill levels that you’ll soon be telling your friends about.
Craving more biking trails...
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Biking
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The Oregon Coast Scenic Byway ~ All American Road is not meant to be traveled in a single day. It expects you to stop and savor its stunning viewpoints. Explore the secluded beaches and bountiful state parks and absorb the charming atmosphere and diverse activity of towns along the way.
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Outdoor Adventure
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Who says resolutions have to be selfless? We’ve got plenty in the way of luxury pampering, from beautiful resorts to decadent spa treatments to incredible scenic beauty.
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Romantic Getaway
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The Cape Arago Beach Loop explores 3 state parks, the largest haul-out of seals and sea lions on the Oregon Coast as well as breathtaking vantage points. The drive itself does not take long, but save some time to soak in the natural beauty.
Driving Directions: From Hwy 101, head west on Newmark Avenue (just south of the Mill Casino). Follow the road until you reach the Stop sign at the End, follow the signs and turn left onto Cape Arago Hwy. Follow this road, once you...
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Scenic Drives & Landscapes
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A short spur off the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, this route showcases a glorious stretch of coastline that includes six state parks, two National Wildlife Refuges, and America's first National Estuarine Research Reserve. A series of beautiful parks await you on this stretch of the route, including Coos Head and Cape Arago.
Download the pdf of this drive.
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Scenic Drives & Landscapes
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There are dozens of designated hiking trails along the Oregon coast. Some take you up to panoramic vistas overlooking the Pacific Ocean, while others descend through dense forests and open up to wide, sandy beaches below. Here, a sampling that we hope will inspire you to hit the trails.
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Hiking
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If you're looking for a new way to spend your vacation or weekend getaway, spend a night or two in a yurt, cabin, or even a tepee! You'll have the chance to experience Oregon's breathtaking scenery while enjoying a cozy stay at the same time. While you're exploring Oregon, take a long, relaxing bike ride, head over to the
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Outdoor Adventure
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We’ve got the skinny on Oregon’s succulent Dungeness crab, whether you want to rent the gear and try crabbing on your own, or would rather just head to the docks for your pick of fresh meat.
We sent one of our colleagues, Dermot; a former Chicagoan who now lives and works in Portland and spends any given weekend on the Oregon Coast; on a crabbing excursion in Netarts Bay. Read his invigorating adventure hauling crab pots on a quiet autumn day below
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Fishing
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The ultimate Central Coast Roadtrip.
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Scenic Drives & Landscapes
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Experience Oregon’s charm in one of our lovely small towns, where you’ll meet friendly locals, discover new attractions and explore scenic areas that are blissfully uncrowded. Why not make a small-town itinerary part of your Oregon 150 Challenge?
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Family Fun
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This year, challenge yourself with something new. Sign up for a gourmet Oregon cooking class. You’ll be swept away by our bounty, and the talented folks who teach you how to cook it at home.
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Culinary & Wine
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Lighthouses are a rare commodity in America, dotting just the periphery of the continent and along the Great Lakes. But in Oregon there are still enough 19th-century lighthouses to count on two hands—almost.
Nine of these romantic structures grace Oregon’s coastline and most are still operating, now with halogen rather than kerosene lamps. They broadcast their beams from Cannon Beach to Port Orford, a stretch of about 250 miles. A weekend outing allows ample time to visit four...
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Cultural/Historical
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Start your family getaway with an exciting trip to Florence, the gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which stretches 40 miles south to the Reedsport area. Kids, teens, adults and kids at heart will love a trip to the beach.
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Family Fun
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PHOTO CREDIT: Peter Marbach
It’s not too late to get the last squeeze out of summer. We’ve got some great ideas to help you plan one more Oregon summer outing before the trees start changing colors and the kids are back in school.
Spend the night in North America’s largest expanse of coastal sand dunes at Honeyman. Have...
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Outdoor Adventure
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If you hail from outside the Northwest, you might not know that chinook is one of five salmon species found in the Pacific. It is larger than the others (chum, coho, pink, sockeye), weighing in at an average 20 pounds, with some (albeit rarely) tipping the scales at 100, and is often the most prized. In fact, many consider chinook to be among the tastiest fish on the planet.
March through the end of April is traditionally the best time of year to troll for Oregon's legendary...
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Fishing
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School may be out for the summer, but the lessons continue in Oregon. There are oodles of fun ways for kids to learn about Oregon’s diverse water life, including aquariums, natural tide pools, fish hatcheries and more.
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Family Fun
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From shifting sands to steadfast redwoods...the south coast is a spectacular escape from the ordinary.
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Scenic Drives & Landscapes
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Surfing in Oregon? It's true. In fact, surf shops continue to pop up all along the coast, from Seaside to Pacific City to Depoe Bay and farther south.
The Pacific Ocean hovers around chilly so you'll definitely want to step into a wet suit before paddling out. Like any surfing waters, please take caution, check the conditions before heading out and talk to the folks at the surf shops, where you can rent equipment and take lessons from certified surfing instructors. For more...
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Outdoor Adventure
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It's an exciting time to follow in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery along the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. The tour begins east of Pendleton at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla. Here the story is told from the Native American perspective of the history of this land and the earliest inhabitants.
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Cultural/Historical
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Wind, Waves and a Long, Winding Road. Yes, it's possible to drive the entire Pacific Coast Scenic Byway in a single day. But it's also pointless. Because you wouldn't have time to experience any of the breathtaking viewpoints, stunning state parks and quaint coastal towns. So rather than drive with blinders on, take a full day to explore each of the following regions detailed on the following page.
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Scenic Drives & Landscapes
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Travel the majestic Pacific Coast Scenic Byway and enjoy miles of spectacular scenery from lush green forest to expanded beach views.
This 110-mile section of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway takes you from the mighty river to the peaceful pasture.
The Oregon Coast Scenic Byway is not meant to be traveled in a single day. It expects you to stop and savor its stunning viewpoints. Explore the secluded beaches and bountiful state parks. And absorb the charming atmosphere and diverse...
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Scenic Drives & Landscapes
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