Things to Do in Florence, Oregon

For centuries mariners grappled with how to navigate channels up and down the Oregon Coast. The Columbia Bar, for instance, sits where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean — and has been the site of roughly 2,000 shipwrecks since 1792. Though nowadays things are much safer with jetties and bar pilots, the bar’s rough waters earned it the nickname “Graveyard of the Pacific.” Other passages have less dramatic but no less powerful stories of their own.

As a new style in the cycling world, gravel riding has exploded in popularity across the country. Defined by its versatility, gravel biking allows riders to traverse a variety of less trafficked, nontechnical terrains that deliver ample opportunity for solitude, scenery and a variety of distances. Visitors find gravel riding perfect for mountainous states like Oregon due to the abundance of trails and nearly 30,000 national forest service roads in the state, where cyclists can explore for miles.

If you and your kids want to learn about marine life, the Oregon Coast has you covered. You’ll find everything from aquariums with kid-friendly touch pools to interactive museums that uncover some of the ocean’s many mysteries. One must-see is Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium, which features a new giant Pacific octopus habitat designed to resemble a natural seafloor. “The wraparound viewing window gives guests the chance to see the octopus as it feeds, plays and displays its colorful camouflage,” says Jeremy Burke, the aquarium's director of marketing and visitor services.

With 363 miles of pristine coastline, the Oregon Coast is a dream vacation for beach-loving dogs. In addition to long stretches of sandy shores for splashing, your dog can sniff along fragrant evergreen trails that lead to ocean views, then chill on a friendly restaurant patio. Here are some ideas to map out your next coastal quest with your best buddy. For a place to stay, choose a dog-friendly hotel on the Coast.

After a 10-year hiatus caused by mudslides, the Cape Meares Loop — part of the stunning Three Capes Scenic Route — is open once again. Take advantage of the reopening with a road trip along this 40-mile stretch, which connects Tillamook to Cape Kiwanda on the North Coast, and winds through forests and along cliffs with plenty of places to stop. Here’s what you can expect along the way.

In 1967 Oregon Governor Tom McCall passed landmark legislation making the entire 363-mile Oregon Coast public, earning it the nickname “The People’s Coast.” In recent years, accessibility improvements have brought it even closer to that vision for adventurers of all abilities. Here’s what to know about how to take advantage of new developments at many destinations when planning a trip to the Oregon Coast.