Stretching from the Coos Bay [1] area to the California [2] border, the southern Oregon coast is far from the population centers of Oregon’s interior valleys, but the south coast amply rewards visitors who make the effort to get here. The foothills of the Klamath Mountains tumble down the narrow coastal plain and fall off in precipitous headlands at the ocean’s edge.
Close to shore, the waters are a rocky garden of sea stacks and islets that are home to uncounted flocks of pelagic birds. With half a dozen wild rivers slicing through the mountains to the sea, the south coast is famed for its outstanding salmon fishing, especially on charters from the harbors of Charleston [1], Gold Beach [3], Bandon [4], and Brookings [5].
In addition, the southern region is blessed with the fairest weather on the Oregon coast and generally gets the most sunshine, the least rain, and the warmest temperatures—attributes as appealing to visitors as to the area’s many retirees and other transplants.
Scenic highlights of the south coast include the weather-beaten bluffs and formal gardens at Cape Arago [6] and Shore Acres State Parks [7], the gorgeous scenery of Boardman [8] and Harris Beach State Parks [9], and just about every inch of the drive between Brookings [5] and Port Orford [10].
In addition to fishing, recreational opportunities are seemingly endless: Outstanding courses draws golfers to Bandon (Golf magazine hailed Bandon Dunes [11] as one of the country’s top three courses) and Brookings (with the Salmon Run Golf Course [12] alongside the Chetco River); some of the coast’s top windsurfing is near Cape Sebastian [13]; and popular jet boat tours [14] run up the Rogue River from Gold Beach.
The Best of Oregon’s South Coast [15]Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/charleston-coos-bay-and-north-bend
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/california
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/gold-beach
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/bandon
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/brookings-harbor
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/charleston-coos-bay-and-north-bend/sights/cape-arago-state-park
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/charleston-coos-bay-and-north-bend/sights/shore-acres-state-park
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/brookings-harbor/sights/boardman-state-scenic-corridor
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/brookings-harbor/sights/harris-beach-state-park
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/port-orford
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/bandon/recreation/bandon-dunes-golf-resort
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/brookings-harbor/recreation/golf
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/gold-beach/sights/cape-sebastian
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/gold-beach/recreation/rogue-river-jet-boat-ride
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/best-oregon-s-south-coast
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/charleston-coos-bay-and-north-bend/sights/south-slough-estuarine-research-reserve
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/bandon/sights/bandon-historical-society-museum
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/port-orford/sights/humbug-mountain
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/oregon/south-coast/port-orford/sights/cape-blanco-state-park