There’s no traffic or crowds at this beach-lovers’ paradise on the Wild Rivers Coast — about 80 miles south of Coos Bay and 30 miles from Oregon’s southern border. Just rugged, wide-open coastline and breathtaking beauty.

In the spring, there’s also plenty of bling: Hundreds of glass floats and hand-painted rocks dot the coastline through April 30, during Gold Beach’s annual glass float treasure hunt. They’re hidden along three miles of coastline, between the Rogue River jetty to south of Kissing Rock. So keep your eyes peeled while you’re flying a kite, building sandcastles, taking a sunset stroll or trying your hand at fat-tire biking, and you just might get lucky.

When you find a float, bring it to the Gold Beach Visitor Center — you’ll get to keep it, and see if you’ve won a prize from the weekly and monthly drawings.

You can also hunt for treasure in the town’s shops, with help of a beach treasure hunt map (pick one up at the Visitor Center). If you spend at least $25, return with your receipt and take home your own glass float treasure.

While in town, pick up a Gold Beach Rocks painting kit at one of the shops — each kit includes waterproof paint, brush and permanent marker that you can use to decorate your own painted treasure (on the back, include #goldbeachRocks!) and leave it for another lucky treasure-seeker to find.

Here’s what else you shouldn’t miss on the South Coast this spring:

Leave no trace
Help clean up beach debris at the spring SOLVE Gold Beach Clean-up, set for Saturday, March 24, 2018.

Art and wine
Sip and shop your way through town during the Downtown Coos Bay Wine Walk on Friday, April 6, 2018. A $10 donation gets you wine glasses and maps, and benefits the Coos Art Museum and community service of the Bay Area Rotary Club.

More art and wine
The Second Saturday Art Walk in Brookings, held each month through December, kicks off for the season on Saturday, April 7, 2018 — a great way to explore local artisans and downtown boutiques, with entertainment by local musicians. Xcity

Run for beer
Chetco Brewing Company’s 3rd annual relay race, Beat the Brewers, happens in Brookings’ Azalea Park on April 28, 2018 with live music, vendors and a beer garden.

Whitewater fun
Gold Beach-based Jerry’s Rogue Jets start up for the season May 1, 2018, with three epic whitewater excursions showcasing the history, wilderness and geology of the mighty Rogue River region.

Artisan treats
All year long (formerly spring through fall only), the Brookings Harbor Farmers Market is open, with 40 local vendors offering fresh produce, hot food, meats, eggs, honey and handmade treats every Wednesday and Saturday in the big white tent just south of the Chetco River Bridge.

By Jen Anderson

Photo courtesy of Gold Beach