The flip side of its northern coastal counterpart, Oregon's southern coast is further from the major inland metropolises and consequently gets less attention, less traffic and more solitude. Much of the coastline here is nearly pristine, with a wild and dramatic feel. Beautiful clean rivers gush from inland mountainsides down to the sea, offering exceptional salmon and steelhead fishing along with boating recreation. Life is laid-back and subdued; if you find a sandy beach at the end of a hiking trail, chances are you'll have it to yourself.
The southern coast is slowly attracting a finer class of tourism, with world-class golf courses and amazing gourmet restaurants – if that's what you're looking for. Harboring a milder climate (and less precipitation) than the north has its advantages as well, and the scenic drives – especially from Port Orford to Brookings – boast some of the most memorable coastal views you'll ever set eyes on.
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Southern Oregon Coast.
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Shore Acres State ParkBeautiful rehabilitated gardens are the highlight of this unusual state park, 4 miles southwest of Charleston. Louis Simpson, a shipping and lumber magnate, was exploring for new stands of lumber in 1905 when he discovered this wildly eroded headland.
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Samuel H Boardman State ParkFour miles north of Brookings, US 101 winds over 11 miles of headlands through Boardman State Park, which contains some of Oregon's most beautiful coastline. Along the highway are a number of roadside turnouts and picnic areas with short trails leading to secluded beaches and dramatic viewpoints. Marching far out to sea are tiny island chains, home to shorebirds and braying sea lions.
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Cape Blanco State ParkNine miles north of Port Orford, this rugged promontory is the second-most-westerly point of the continental US and host to a fine state park with hiking trails spreading out over the headland. Sighted in 1603 by Spanish explorer Martín d'Aguilar, Cape Blanco juts far out into the Pacific, withstanding lashing winds that can pass 100mph. Visitors can tour the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, built in 1870, the oldest and highest operational lighthouse in Oregon.
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Washed Ashore Gallery & WorkshopThis 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 bottles, pose with a garbage shark or snuggle with a rubbish starfish. There's a hands-on area at the back where you can help with the art pieces.
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South Slough National Estuarine Research ReserveCharleston 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 on Seven Devils Rd is this excellent interpretive center, with exhibits on estuarine ecology, also showcased in a 12-minute video. It runs events and programs all year. Several walking trails, ranging from 0.25 to 3 miles, offer glimpses of the local ecology. Canoeing is also possible but you'll need your own canoe.
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Sunset Bay State ParkThree 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.
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Humbug Mountain State ParkSix miles south of Port Orford, mountains edge down to the ocean, and the heavily wooded Humbug Mountain rises 1750ft from the surf. When European settlers first came to the area in 1851, the Tututni Native Americans lived in a large village along the beach north of here.
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Port Orford Heads State ParkA short drive along Coast Guard Rd leads to this state park, which has the best location in town. A couple of 20-minute loop trails offer fine panoramic views and a closer look at coastal flora. Deer and bunnies live on the grassy picnic grounds surrounding the Lifeboat Station Museum, which was formerly a Coast Guard station. Check out the 36ft 'unsinkable' motor lifeboat on display.
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Cape Arago State ParkAbout 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 South Cove Trail leads to a beach and tide pools while the 0.2-mile North Trail plops you on another beach (closed March 1 to June 30 to protect seal pups) from which you can see offshore Shell Island, a protected seal and sea lion colony.