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What to do on the People's Coast

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  • Alsea River

    Waldport, Oregon 97394

    Proximity to Corvallis and other southern Willamette Valley towns makes the Alsea a popular spot for anglers seeking fall chinook and winter steelhead. The Alsea is paralleled along much of its path to the Pacific by Oregon Highway 34; over 20 public and commercial boat ramps make it easy to get on the river. Alsea Bay, where the river enters the ocean at Waldport, is one of Oregon\'s top five crabbing venues.

  • Cape Arago Lighthouse

    Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

    Cape Arago is located 12 miles southwest of Coos Bay and North Bend off Hwy 101. It stands 100 feet above the ocean on an islet just off Gregory Point. The light atop the 44-foot-high tower was first illuminated in 1934 and is easily noticeable due to its distinct fog horn. Although newest in terms of service, earlier structures were built on this site in 1866 and 1908, both succumbing to weather and erosion. Hidden behind a guarded fence, Cape Arago is not open to the public.

  • Cape Blanco Lighthouse

    Port Orford, Oregon 97465

    This isolated lighthouse holds at least four Oregon records: it is the oldest continuously operating light, the most westerly, it has the highest focal plane above the sea, (256 feet), and had Oregon's first woman keeper, Mabel E. Bretherton signed on in March 1903. This lighthouse was commissioned in 1870 to aid shipping generated by gold mining and lumber industry. This is also a highly rated wildlife viewing area.

  • Cape Blanco State Park

    Off US 101, 9 miles N of
    Port Orford, Oregon 97465
    541-332-6774

    Use the extra-large, private, wind-protected campsites at Cape Blanco as your base of operations while you enjoy the lighthouse and historic Hughes House tours. Work off your picnic lunch by hiking over eight miles of trails with many spectacular ocean vistas, woodland and wetland settings. Bring your horse and enjoy seven miles of horse trails and the facilities in the horse camp. Don't forget a sunset walk along the headland beaches to finish out your day. Vital stats: All campsites are first-come, first served.

  • Chitwood Covered Bridge

    Toledo, Oregon 97391

    This is the first covered bridge to be restored in Lincoln County and it is named for the community of Chitwood, which is named for its founder, Joshua Chitwood. The bridge was originally built in 1933 and has a Howe Truss that is 96 feet long. It spans the Lower Yaquina River near Highway 20 east of Toledo. Otis Hamer using the Howe Truss design – a method combining iron uprights with wooden supports, patented by William Howe in 1840, built the bridge in 1926. The same truss design was used when Aubrey Mountain Construction rebuilt the bridge in 1983-84 with federal and state funding. Also retained were the flared sides, semi-elliptical portal arches and barn red color, characteristics found in all Lincoln County covered bridges. Leading the reconstruction effort for the Chitwood Bridge was local resident Sharon Salazar, who now serves as vice-president of the Covered Bridge Society of Oregon. Today, Chitwood is a ghost town but the bridge still provides access to motorized traffic from Highway 20 to homes across the Lower Yaquina River. The weight limit is eight tons. HOW TO GET THERE: From Newport drive east on Hwy 20. From Corvallis drive west on Hwy 20. The bride is located near milepost 17.

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