Things to Do in Florence, Oregon

Imagine carving a graceful turn as the smell of salt air fills your nostrils. Or dropping in to a perfect break with no one in sight. No, we’re not talking surfing here — this is mountain biking on the Oregon Coast. Over the past decade, new trail systems have been popping up along the Coast and might just be the state’s best-kept secret for mountain biking enthusiasts.

Next to majestic sea stacks and awe-inspiring surf, sand might not be the most obvious marvel of the Oregon Coast. Without those humble little granules, though, there would be no sandcastles, no writing your name on the beach and no sinking your toes into warm softness on a dune hike. Here’s a crash course on how sand comes and goes, who lives in this special habitat, and how we can help protect it.

Most visitors to Astoria arrive from the east or south. It’s the most northwestern city in Oregon, after all, situated on the south bank of the Columbia River where it meets the roiling Pacific Ocean. But a few special visitors to Astoria actually arrive from the west, and some of them haven’t seen land in nearly two weeks.

There is something invigorating about a walk through a coastal Oregon forest at the start of the new year — swollen creeks and thundering falls; deep, mossy greens; towering, swaying trees. Underfoot could be banana slugs, newts and mushrooms; above, the occasional bald eagle or osprey sailing by. One can’t help but be energized and refreshed, ready to embark on another year with a new commitment to getting out amidst all the splendor this corner of the world has to offer.

Short days and crisp weather create the perfect environment for cozying up with a good book, and the Oregon Coast is a great place to do it. We asked Charlie J. Stephens — owner of Port Orford’s Sea Wolf Books & Community Writing Center — for their recommendations of what and where to read on the Coast this winter. Here are some favorites to check out on your next coastal vacation.

Discover the wild and wonderful world of Oregon’s intertidal zones. Full of mystery, the intertidal zone on the Oregon Coast is brimming with colorful marine life. During low tide, a captivating cosmos is revealed — guides can help you explore...