Three miles southwest of town on Cape Arago Hwy, this state park is nestled in a small, protected bay that once served as a safe harbor for fishing boats, and possibly pirates as well. Today it's popular with swimmers, hikers and tidepool explorers. A 6-mile, cliff-edge stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail continues south from here to link all three state parks in the area. Cape Arago Lighthouse sits just offshore on a rocky crag.
Sunset Bay State Park
Southern Oregon Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.08 MILES
Beautiful rehabilitated gardens are the highlight of this unusual state park, 4 miles southwest of Charleston. Louis Simpson, a shipping and lumber…
Washed Ashore Gallery & Workshop
14.82 MILES
This tiny but cool gallery features gigantic sculptures made from trash washed up from the sea. Walk through a life-sized whale skeleton made from plastic…
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
4.07 MILES
Charleston sits at the mouth of South Slough, a tidal river basin that turns into a vast, muddy estuary full of wildlife. Four miles south of Charleston…
2.2 MILES
About 5 miles south of Charleston at blustery Cape Arago you can scan the horizon for whales, seals and watch ships passing into Coos Bay. The 0.2-mile…
15.99 MILES
A few blocks to the south of Table Rock is Face Rock, a huge monolith with a very real-looking, almost creepy human profile. Native American legends tell…
24.45 MILES
About 4 miles south of town you can tour the 1894 Umpqua River Lighthouse; the lighthouse's museum (200yd away) is free. Opposite is a whale-watching…
2.5 MILES
This fantastic new little museum/aquarium has lots of interactive displays plus views out over the harbor. Touch a whale on a screen to hear its song, pet…
29.29 MILES
This excellent discovery center has exhibits geared to all ages, covering the cultural and geological history of the tidewater area. There are lots of…
Nearby Southern Oregon Coast attractions
1.08 MILES
Beautiful rehabilitated gardens are the highlight of this unusual state park, 4 miles southwest of Charleston. Louis Simpson, a shipping and lumber…
2.2 MILES
About 5 miles south of Charleston at blustery Cape Arago you can scan the horizon for whales, seals and watch ships passing into Coos Bay. The 0.2-mile…
3. Charleston Marine Life Center
2.5 MILES
This fantastic new little museum/aquarium has lots of interactive displays plus views out over the harbor. Touch a whale on a screen to hear its song, pet…
4. South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
4.07 MILES
Charleston sits at the mouth of South Slough, a tidal river basin that turns into a vast, muddy estuary full of wildlife. Four miles south of Charleston…
8.37 MILES
The Coos Art Museum, in a historic art deco building, provides a hub for the region's art culture. Rotating exhibits from the museum's permanent…
6. Coos Historical & Maritime Museum
8.69 MILES
In gigantic and fancy new digs on Coos Bay's waterfront, this museum displays exhibits from Native American culture to maritime shipwrecks, plus mining,…
7. Washed Ashore Gallery & Workshop
14.82 MILES
This tiny but cool gallery features gigantic sculptures made from trash washed up from the sea. Walk through a life-sized whale skeleton made from plastic…
8. Bandon Historical Society Museum
14.83 MILES
This museum has exhibits on the area's historical industries and the Coquille Native Americans, along with memorable photos of Bandon's two devastating…