Coos Bay Area / North Bend
Coos Bay is a great area to stay in as it is close to so many things. And there are a lot of smaller places to visit during your stay. Mom & I had to visit one of her favorite quilt shops, Threads That Bind in Coos Bay, as she needed a project, then had lunch at Kaffe 101. Great sandwiches & coffee in a relaxing atmosphere.
Mills Casino
John & I visited Mills Casino one evening to try our luck. When we arrived we found out they had a buffet very reasonably priced, and even surprised us with a senior discount without asking! It was an average buffet, but the price was right (and I didn’t have to cook!). Update – no more buffet .. of course because of Covid. There is also another casino much smaller, Three Rivers Casino, which is where John hit a jackpot – I know it’s not large for some of you, but you have to know we play penny machines!
Yeong’s Place in North Bend is a favorite of my parents, and we had lunch there before we left. Great hamburgers and fries… and oh yeah, chocolate shakes. No wonder I need to go on a diet after vacation!
Winchester Bay/Reedsport
Winchester Bay is a place we will definitely return to, and check out the park there (see that article here) – and we will have some sort of toy to ride in the dunes with by then. John can’t wait to find an ATV and return to play. We are going to look into staying at one of the several campgrounds in the area. That will be an update later in our adventures. We would love to get some feedback from you on your experience of staying in this area.
There are so many lighthouses up and down the coast – Umpqua River Lighthouse is located just up the road. Sugar Shack in Reedsport, another favorite, we visited twice. Great pastries, and if you order ahead they even have sugar free pies.
More information on Lakeside – click here
Florence
Florence Oregon is located at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, an hour west of Eugene Oregon. We visited the historic downtown Florence area and wandered the shops. There are a few galleries with local art, a few souvenir shops, ice cream, Mo’s, a few boutiques, a fun little walk around the town.
Siuslaw River Bridge – and 1936 Art Deco style bridge on Hwy 101 is very pretty, although there is construction going on now on it. And there are sand dunes all over this area as well.
Sea Lion Caves are close by – but our limited time didn’t allow us to visit. Making a note here so we can visit when we return.
There are RV parks in the area, but as we travel this area with my parents, and they have been staying in Lakeside for years, and my grandparents before them, that is where we stay. And Florence is a nice day trip from there.
Lighthouses, there are 11 on the coast of Oregon, all uniquely different. – Check out the list here
Umpqua River Lighthouse – erected in 1857, it was the first built in Oregon. The original lighthouse fell into the river in 1861, so the current lighthouse replaced it and was built in 1894, and sits 165 feet above sea level and is 65 feet tall.
Heceta Head Lighthouse is circa 1894 and on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a working lighthouse, 205 feet tall.
Shore Acres is a great place to visit.
Shore Acres State Park perches atop rugged sea cliffs just a few miles south of Coos Bay on Oregon’s southern coast, and it’s famed for its spectacular ocean vistas and meticulously tended botanical gardens.
Wander through two acres of formal gardens bursting with seasonal blooms—from magnolias and azaleas in spring to lush fall foliage—and then stroll the loop trail that winds along the cliff edge, offering panoramic views of crashing waves and passing whales.
The park’s historic stone amphitheater overlooks the Pacific and hosts free outdoor concerts in summer, while well-maintained picnic areas and interpretive signs make it easy to learn about local marine life and coastal ecology. Whether you’re chasing tidal-pool discoveries or simply savoring sunset hues over the water, Shore Acres delivers a perfect blend of natural beauty and horticultural elegance.
We covered a lot of area on our trips up here, but know we missed things to see and experience. We are using these blogs to share our experiences and get feedback from you on what else to see and visit in these areas. Please share your fun spots to visit with us.
