Embark on a new adventure through the Willamette Valley and the Oregon Coast. On the coast is an area encompassing Bandon to the south and Astoria to the north. Inland, the lush Willamette Valley is dominated by the State Capital of Oregon, which is located in Salem to the north, and Eugene, Springfield and Roseburg to the south. Farther east are the Willamette and Umpqua National Forests. Visitors come to these areas of Oregon for a variety of reasons: to enjoy a scenic wilderness area, to rel...
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Nestled in the Willamette Valley between the breathtaking scenery of the Cascade Mountains and the Oregon Coast Range, Eugene is often referred to as “The Emerald City.” Douglas fir forests border Eugene on three sides and account for its past reputation as a lumber town. The city of Eugene is often named one of America’s most livable cities and it’s not hard to see why. It is home to the University of Oregon, has renowned cultural activities, abundant recreational opportunities and enjoys a be...
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Salem, the capitol of Oregon, is located in the north-central Willamette Valley. It is the third largest city in the state. The Willamette River runs through the city and forms a boundary between Polk and Marion counties. The 45th parallel, the halfway point between the equator and the North Pole, passes through Salem’s city center. Salem is nicknamed the “Cherry City” due to the past importance of the local cherry growing industry. Agriculture has played an important role in Salem’s history an...
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Mt. Angel has many attractions to take in. Beginning downtown, the town’s Glockenspiel can be viewed at 11am, 1pm, 4 pm and 7pm. An appetizing meal is just steps away at any one of the fine Mt. Angel restaurants. Don’t forget to visit the historic St. Mary Parish Church, the Mt. Angel Abbey, and the Benedictine Sisters’ Monastery. Mt. Angel Abbey is host to a small museum featuring the history of the area. Various novelty shops, some in historic buildings, add to the charm of this quaint Swiss-...
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McMinnville is located in the western portion of Oregon’s agriculturally rich Willamette Valley on Hwy 99. This quiet, friendly city enjoys a central location to Pacific Ocean beaches (50 miles), to Portland (30 miles to the northeast), and the state capitol (Salem - 25 miles southeast), with an easy scenic drive to Mt. Hood and other local ski areas. The mild climate is ideal for growing wine grapes; McMinnville is surrounded by Yamhill County’s 200 plus vineyards and 90 wineries, more than in...
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Bandon-by-the-Sea is one of the most charming seaport villages on the Oregon Coast. Located near the mouth of the Coquille River and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it is surrounded by natural beauty. Visitors to Bandon will find modern oceanfront motels, romantic bed and breakfast inns, convenient and comfortable campgrounds and quality restaurants. They will also find a mild, temperate climate, a burgeoning artists colony and shopping, from bargain to upscale. The waterfront is now beautifully...
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Charleston is a small fishing village located at the ocean entrance to Coos Bay. Although small, the harbor is a busy port and is home to a large commercial fishing fleet, as well as several charter boat operators, crabbers, sport fishermen and recreational boaters. You’ll find restaurants, markets, fresh seafood, tackle and specialty gift shops to whet anyone’s appetite. Walk down to Fishermen’s Wharf and choose your crab, then watch while they clean and cook it for you. Enjoy your crab while o...
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This unique section of the Oregon oceanfront is known as Oregon’s Adventure Coast for several reasons, and when you arrive in the area, you will easily see why. With indoor and outdoor, water-centric sports and nature providing the backdrop for your visit, there are certainly lots of things to do. The Coos Bay Area is comprised of more than one community. Coos Bay (the water, an estuary of several rivers) is dominated by Coos Bay (the city), and its neighbors, North Bend and Charleston. For a c...
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Lakeside is located just East of Hwy 101 between North Bend and Reedsport on the coast.Like all the cities on the south Oregon Coast, the climate is rather mild year round. Visitors come to Lakeside for outdoor activities on Tenmile Lake and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The area provides a wide variety of activities to enjoy such as waterskiing, jet skiing, beachcombing, camping, fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, scuba diving, dune riding, wind surfing, horseback riding, swimming,...
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The charming towns of Reedsport and Winchester Bay are bound by the Smith and Umpqua Rivers, the Pacific Ocean and scores of natural lakes. This area is a perfect setting for all forms of recreation, and is in the heart of the spectacular Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the largest area of coastal dunes in North America, with wind-sculptured sand dunes up to 500 feet tall. Stretching for more than 40 miles along the coast, 14,300 acres of the Recreation Area are open to dune and trail ri...
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Yachats (pronounced “YAH-hots”) is a little community nestled between the lush green mountains of the Coast Range and the dramatic waves of the Pacific surf. It is the ideal place for discovery and renewal, rest, recreation and romance. In 2007, Budget Travel Magazine named Yachats one of the “Ten Coolest Small Towns of the U.S.A.,” and Virtualtourist dubbed it one of the “Top 10 U.S. Up-And-Coming Vacation Destinations.” Fishing on the Yachats River offers trout and freshwater salmon. Between A...
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Waldport is home to miles of sandy beaches, forest roads, hiking trails, wilderness areas and picturesque Alsea Bay. If you enjoy windsurfing, kayaking, boating, fishing, sailing, hiking or cycling, or just wandering around on the beach, Waldport is the place to visit. During low tide, spend time combing the pristine beach for driftwood, shells, clams, and rocks. There is a family-owned, family-friendly golf course available, a brand new skateboard park, and antique stores. Something for everyon...
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Tucked between the Coastal Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, nestled on the shores of spectacular Yaquina Bay, Newport lives up to its slogan as “the friendliest town” and is the largest on the Central Oregon Coast with a population of nearly 10,000. The history of Newport shaped the two distinct parts of the town—the historic Bayfront and Nye Beach. With the discovery in 1862 of huge oyster beds in the bay and river, companies from San Francisco began to arrive for oyster harvesting. In 1866, S...
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Just 9 miles south of Lincoln City is picturesque Depoe Bay, pictured above. Depoe Bay is known as the “Whale Watching Capital of the Oregon Coast”. You’ll want to visit the Depoe Bay Whale Center to learn about and view the resident gray whale pod that makes its home here for 10 months out of the year. Depoe Bay Whale Center is the home of the highly acclaimed “Whale Watching Spoken Here” program. The center is dedicated to sharing information about whales and helping visitors to understand and...
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Lincoln City, situated on the northern edge of the central Oregon coast, boasts beautiful beaches, fantastic trails, antiquing opportunities and so much more. Go freshor saltwater fishing, golfing, bike riding, or hiking. Stop by the North Lincoln County Historical Museum to learn more about the city. And if you’re traveling with kids, Lincoln City offers abundant opportunities to entertain children. Arcade games can be found at Chinook Winds Resort, and batting cages and mini golf are also loca...
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Tillamook, abounding with pastoral land on the Oregon coast, is home to some of the best the West has to offer. Tillamook is complete with peacefully winding estuary rivers perfect for kayaking. For quilt lovers, you’ll find quilts of all colors and shapes adorning barns and buildings. Entrepreneurs abound, crafting wondrous products from the abundance of natural resources as well as gathering fresh, delicious seafood from the nearby Pacific Ocean. Perhaps the most noticeable and special part of...
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Garibaldi, Oregon’s authentic fishing village, is a quaint port town situated on the shores of Tillamook Bay. Many consider Garibaldi to be the jewel of the Oregon coast. Established in 1910, the small town of about 1000 residents is the only commercial port on Tillamook Bay. The working harbor is the closest ocean harbor to Portland. A large mooring basin, launch ramps, transit dockage and boat rentals can be found at this harbor. Several fishing charters make their home in Garibaldi as well....
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Rockaway Beach has 7 miles of pristine sandy beach. This old-fashioned little beach town offers lodging, dining, shopping and an abundance of recreational activities. It is nestled between the Coast Mountain Range and Pacific Ocean, west of Portland on scenic Highway 101. Located in the center of town is a large parking area known as the Wayside. This area includes pocket parks, benches, picnic tables and playground equipment while serving as a tourist destination spot, gathering place and hub...
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Cannon Beach is an artistic haven recognized as one of America’s 100 best art towns. Creative presence is evident in local architecture, public art, numerous galleries, community theater, and educational programs. Historic Coaster Theatre, located downtown, is celebrating 40 plus years of live theater on the Oregon Coast. Plays suitable for the whole family, a Summer Kids’ Theater Camp, and special events are all available. While visiting Cannon Beach, take a stroll down Hemlock Street, the mai...
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Seaside was Oregon’s first seashore resort. Just 90 minutes from Portland, it offers a broad oceanfront with many things to do and remains a popular place to play at the beach. Most everything is within walking distance and wheelchair accessible making it a great destination for all ages. There is the possibility for plenty of beach activities, such as beach volleyball, building sand castles, kite flying, tossing a Frisbee and much more. For the young at heart, there are amusements such as the...
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Astoria is a city of 10,000 people on the Columbia River, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and is the seat of Clatsop County. The city was named after the American investor John Jacob Astor. His American Fur Company founded Fort Astoria at the site in 1811. Astoria was first established as a fur trading post and is the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. It is served by the deep water Port of Astoria that is located on the south shore of the Columbia River. The city...
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