Plan your Car-Free Florence Trip!
Get away to the Oregon Coast, only sixty miles west of Eugene. Even if you don’t have a car, you can still make this journey out to Historic Old Town Florence and the coastal beaches. In Florence, there is great shopping, gaming, sightseeing, hiking and dining.
Lane Council of Governments operates a special Link Lane Connector service to travel between downtown Eugene, Veneta, Mapleton and Florence (Three Rivers Casino, Old Town and Grocery Outlet) with three roundtrips offered daily — morning, mid-day and evening. Check their schedule for specific times, locations and non-operational holidays.
The Link Lane bus makes it easy to enjoy a day of shopping and exploring in Old Town Florence, going out in the morning and getting back in the evening. Additionally you can take the daily Florence-Yachats connector route on a roundtrip sightseeing drive along Highway 101 (enjoy views of dramatic ocean cliffs, gorgeous sandy beaches and a historic lighthouse), or disembark for a day exploring Carl G. Washburne State Park or the tiny coastal town of Yachats with great restaurants and picnic spots.
Please note: the Link Lane Connector does not run on holidays.
Source: Eugene and Cascades Coast
Once you are in Florence, you can then use the Lane Transit District (LTD) Rhody Express to get around town. The shuttle follows a 60-minute circuit on two loops covering the north and south ends of town including stops at the Three Rivers Casino and in Old Town. Along the way, you can flag the driver to disembark at the next reasonable stop. The Rhody Express is accessible and can transport up to two bicycles if you rent one in town.
Nearby things you can do from the Rhody Express stops:
- Fred Meyer — try sandboarding!
- Oak Street near the Elementry School (not a routine stop) — visit the very cool Oregon Coast Military Museum.
- Peace Harbor Hospital — take a walk on the beach from Exploding Whale Memorial Park.
- Old Town — Enjoy a cup of chowder at Mo’s and shop Bay Street.
- Three Rivers — go gaming or golfing.
Please note: the Rhody Express does not operate on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Source: Eugene and Cascades Coast