The coastal town of Florence, and the section of scenic Highway 101 from Dunes City to Cape Perpetua, is a must-see on any Oregon itinerary. Florence and the Oregon Coast is approximately one hour west of Eugene on Highway 126.
Morning
Oregon Coast Sand Dunes & Beaches
Arrive early to enjoy plenty of time on the beach or the golf course. Just south of Florence are the South Jetty and the Siltcoos National Recreation Area, offering dunes and beach access. Take a dune buggy ride or try out the cool sport of sandboarding (like snowboarding but on sand). Or just enjoy beach combing. Several golf courses are tucked in between the dunes and pine forests for some magnificent coastal play.
Restaurants range from chowder houses to gourmet dining. Soak up the sunshine on decks overlooking the water or find a cozy booth in one of the charming eateries.
Shop the historic boardwalk galleries, boutiques and candy stores. Note the beautiful Siuslaw River Bridge and visit the local museums.
: Melanie Ryan Griffin
Afternoon
Oregon Coast - Highway 101 North
Drive north along the stunningly beautiful coastal highway and make a stop at the Darlingtonia Wayside for a look at a rare carnivorous flower. Stop for more beach combing or to ride horses on the beach. Visit the one-hundred-year-old lighthouse and descend into the largest sea cave in America. Take in stunning coastline views at Cape Perpetua.
Evening
Dining & Entertainment
Enjoy delicious seafood, pasta, pizza or burgers at one of the restaurants along Bay Street in Historic Old Town Florence. Take in a movie in a classic boutique theater. Enjoy a live show at the Florence Events Center, or gaming and headline entertainment at the Three Rivers Casino, which is open 24 hours.
Taj Barnhart Morgan is the Director of Content Strategy for Travel Lane County. A journalism graduate from the University of Oregon, Taj has two decades of special event management and hospitality marketing experience in San Diego, CA and Maui, HI. Passionate about mothering, and back to her Oregon roots, she is discovering the Eugene, Cascades & Coast region all over again through the eyes of her daughter.
