— Story and photographs by The Traveling Dans
If you love solitude, exploring places that still feel wild and untouched, and slowing down with intentional time outside, you need to visit the southern Oregon coast! Here, you will find sprawling beaches with dramatic sea stacks, charming coastal towns, dining spots serving locally caught seafood, and more.
We recently spent a few days road tripping the southern Oregon coast, visiting several stunning spots along the way. Below, you will find our 3-day southern Oregon coast road trip itinerary to help you plan your own unforgettable Oregon coast getaway!
Overview of the Oregon Coast
The Oregon coast is 363 miles long and is known as “The People’s Coast” because the entire coastline is public! Highway 101 runs the entire length of the Oregon coast and is the perfect route to take for this road trip.
For this itinerary, we began our trip at the California border, the closest Oregon town being Brookings, and finished our road trip in Reedsport, Oregon.
Day 1: Brookings to Gold Beach
Brookings, Oregon is the first town you will come to as you are traveling north from California into Oregon along Highway 101.
Start your day at Chetco Point Park and explore the paved trails that have great views of the coastline, some with beach access. Then head to Harris Beach State Park to stroll along the beach next to some of the iconic sea stacks that fill the southern Oregon coastline. After exploring, have lunch at Catalyst Seafood – a restaurant that serves locally sourced, fresh seafood.
Next, make your way to Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor! This 12-mile stretch of coastline is arguably one of the prettiest areas in Oregon. While Natural Bridges is the most popular stop, we highly recommend exploring off the beaten path a bit. Some stops you can’t miss include:
- Lone Ranch Beach – A beach dotted with sea stacks great for a leisurely walk, a picnic, or beach combing.
- Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint – Explore the mile-long trail that takes you out onto an expansive bluff overlooking the ocean. A great spot for whale watching in the spring and fall!
- Whaleshead Beach – An accessible beach with massive sea stacks, one that spouts water like a whale when the waves hit it just right!
- Indian Sands Trail – A beautiful loop trail that takes you along the coastline, keep your eyes peeled for shore birds and marine life!
The best thing about this area is how accessible the stops are. Several viewpoints are located right off the parking lot or via a short walk, making it easy to see a lot in a short amount of time. That said, try not to rush and take time soaking up the beauty at each stop you make.
End your day in Gold Beach, Oregon. If you have time, check out Meyers Creek Beach Viewpoint on your way into town! This beach is full of unique rock formations with very few people.
Where to Stay in Gold Beach
There are several options in town depending on your travel style. We travel in our van so we stayed at Honeybear by the Sea, an RV resort right by the ocean. This RV resort has a clubhouse, fitness center, dog-washing station, laundry, showers, and ocean views at some sites! If you are looking for a hotel stay, check out Gold Beach Inn, Wildflower Inn, or Pacific Reef Hotel.
Day 2: Gold Beach to Bandon
Start your morning by exploring the often overlooked Sisters Rock State Park. It is easy to drive right by this hidden gem because it is accessed by a pullout along the highway but it is one of the coolest places along the Oregon coast. Here, three monoliths meet, known as Sisters Rocks, creating the coolest coast views. Again, you will often be alone exploring this place so bring some coffee, wander around, and enjoy the solitude.
Continue on towards Port Orford, Oregon next and stop for lunch at Port Orford Sustainable Seafood. They serve what they catch so the menu is always changing and the seafood is fresh and delicious. You can eat at picnic tables outside but we recommend walking down to the adjacent beach and enjoying your lunch at Dog Beach.
If you are feeling like a short hike after lunch, head to Port Orford Heads State Park and hike the 1-mile Port Orford Heads Trail. For a more leisurely stroll, visit Cape Blanco State Park and walk around the lighthouse and grounds.
You will then head to your last destination for the day which is Bandon, Oregon! This is one of our favorite small towns on the Oregon coast. The downtown area is full of charming shops and great dining spots, all near the water. We always go to Tony’s Crab Shack for food, they have some of the best crab and lobster rolls here.
Where to Stay in Bandon
A great place to stay near Bandon is b.side motel and rv park! They offer hotel rooms and RV/camping sites. The location is fantastic as you are right near the downtown area. If you are feeling up for it or if conditions are right, head to Bandon Beach for sunset.
Day 3: Bandon to Reedsport
If you didn’t make it to Bandon Beach the evening before, start your morning there! The sea stacks here are so unique and at low tide, you can walk right up to them and even find some caves and starfish hidden among the rocks.
This is also where you will find Face Rock, one of Bandon’s iconic landmarks. If you love birdwatching or photography, you will not want to miss this spot as it is a nesting area for many bird species.
From Bandon, you will continue north towards Winchester Bay and Reedsport. On the way, you will pass through Coos Bay, home to three beautiful state parks. If you have time, we recommend checking at least one of these out.
- Cape Argo State Park – View the Cape Arago lighthouse and explore the short bluff trails.
- Shore Acres State Park – Visit the botanical gardens and Simpson Beach.
- Sunset Bay State Park – Walk along Crescent Beach or go to the seasonal interpretive center.
After you have spent the morning exploring, it is time to visit a few underrated small towns on the Oregon Coast!
First, stop in Winchester Bay and grab lunch at Blue Box Seafood Company. This spot has great outdoor seating and is the perfect spot to relax, especially on a sunny day. Stroll through some of the waterfront shops after lunch and pick up some famous Oregon saltwater taffy!
End the day in Reedsport on Fir Avenue, a small but charming street that has many local shops, dining spots, a brewery, distillery, and more.
A few of our favorite places are:
- Highwater Cafe and Market – Perfect for an afternoon caffeine pick me up with a great selection of locally made Oregon products and souvenirs.
- Creative Mercantile – A boutique with unique finds for your home, Oregon apparel, cute gifts, and more.
- Two Shy Brewing – Oregon has one of the best beer scenes so we always recommend stopping by a local brewery. This place has 25 taps, indoor and outdoor seating, and is pet-friendly.
Final Thoughts
No matter how much time you spend exploring Oregon, every trip leaves you wanting more and this southern Oregon coast road trip is no exception! Whether you are planning this trip as a weekend getaway or as part of a larger road trip, this itinerary is a great introduction to one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the USA.
— Story and photographs by The Traveling Dans