Five Fun Itineraries for Florence - by Bus!

1.  Strolling, Shopping & Playing the Slots 

(no beach in this plan)

Florence wakes up slowly, so when you arrive in the morning at Gazebo Park in Historic Old Town Florence (9:15 a.m.) expect a quiet, riverfront scene with not a lot of activity yet. Stretch, enjoy the sea air and bask in the serenity. You can get a delicious coffee drink and pastry at nearby River Roasters, then walk along the boardwalk to the marina to watch the frisky seals, dockside crabbing and the fishing boats coming and going. If it's open, start your day with a warm cup of crab chowder from Novelli's down in the marina. 

Then check out Florence's rotating public art around Old Town, featuring eight metal sculptures by different artists that changes every two years. About 11 a.m. most restaurants and shops start to open, providing a plethora of tasty dining options and fun shopping. Taste rum at the Stillwagon Distillery on Bay Street or slip into LoveJoy for tea and sandwiches. Browse for books, t-shirts, kites and candy. During the high season, enjoy live music on the outside dining deck at the International C-food Market Restaurant or inside at the Laughing Crab Gallery.

Next catch the Rhody Express (which comes by once an hour) at Gazebo Park to Three Rivers Casino. Play the slots or your favorite games for the rest of the afternoon. You can also dine at the Casino's eateries, Blue Bills Sports Bar or the Beachside Bistro. Explore the casino and see the interpretative display about the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, the Indigenous peoples of the region. Finally, take the Rhody Express to the Grocery Outlet or Gazebo Park stops to catch the LinkLane bus back to Eugene by afternoon or evening.

2. Short Hike, Sandy Feet & Shopping

(riverfront beach)

Hop off LinkLane at the Grocery Outlet stop (9:21 a.m.), and grab a coffee at the nearby Starbucks (no drinks on the shuttles though). Then catch the Rhody Express (10 a.m.) to the Peace Harbor Hospital stop. From there it is a 0.5 mile walk along the shoulder of Rhododendron Drive (have the shuttle driver point you in the right direction) until you get to Exploding Whale Memorial Park.

This lovely park is not the actual site of where the infamous exploding whale incident happened - you can learn more about that later - but was dedicated as a memorial to that event by a vote of the residents! The park features a beautiful sand beach along the Siuslaw River. You will not see the ocean from here, but you will see the impressive and massive Oregon Sand Dunes of the South Jetty looming on the far shore. Take off your shoes and walk west along beach, then climb up to the path through the wooded area to return back. This shady part of the park has benches, picnic tables and interpretive signage. You could even spend some time here, tossing a towel out onto the sand or enjoying a picnic meal.

After riverfront beach time, continue on further east until Rhododendron Drive reaches Highway 101. The Pono Hukilau or Little Brown Hen Cafe are great eateries for lunch - but get a table early, as both fill up quick! Meander across the highway to the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center - their bright and cheerful information office has many brochures for cool things to do. Behind them, you'll spot the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum - once a schoolhouse and now preserved as a museum. Chock full of displays from the community's past, there is even an exhibit on Oregon's Exploding Whale incident (temporarily paused during some building repairs but due back soon!). Catch the mid-day LinkLane bus back or extend your afternoon browsing the many boutiques and eateries in Old Town, and take the evening bus. Fun, quirky shops to check out include Socks To A T which has cool socks, including the kinds with toes, or Raining Cats & Dogs which has everything a pet owner could want.

3. Sandboarding at Sand Master Park

(sand dunes)

Enjoy the famous Oregon Dunes right in Florence! Try out the unique sport of sandboarding which is like snowboarding only on sand. After arriving in Florence on LinkLane (9:22 a.m.), take the Rhody Express (10 a.m.) to Fred Meyer then walk north to Sand Master Park. Sandboards are available to rent (cash only) and if you call ahead you might be able to reserve a sandboarding lesson also. Otherwise, give it try on the smaller dunes behind the rental shop on your own - just remember to lean backward so you don't fall face forward into the sand! It's $18 to rent a board, which you can use anywhere for 24 hours - so while the immediate sand hills are good for beginners, a more experienced sandboarder may wish to find another means of transportation to take their rental board to the South Jetty.

Sandboarding requires a lot of exertion, especially climbing up the sandhills! And expect to get sand everywhere including in your backpack or lunch bag if you bring one - which is a good idea because there are not many places nearby to eat. McDonalds or the Grocery Outlet store are the best bets. There is also a Subway Sandwiches on Highway 101. If you have the time and energy, you may prefer to take the 30 minute walk (1.2 miles) to Fresh Harvest Cafe (closing at 2 p.m.). Catch the LinkLane bus back to Eugene either mid-day or evening. Bring a water bottle! 

4. Full Day Beach Romps 

(wheelchair accessible ocean beach)

This is the best itinerary for an ocean beach experience right in Florence. LinkLane buses provide wheelchair accommodations which can get you from Eugene to Historic Old Town Florence (9:15 a.m.). Once you are in the heart of Historic Old Town you will need to call River Cities Taxi (541.997.8520) to get to Driftwood Shores Resort six miles north (if you need an accessible taxi, please specify during the call). Sometimes there is a wait for an available taxi, so enjoy the river view from the Gazebo or the Siuslaw Bridge Interpretive Center. Nearby River Roasters is a great place for coffee while you wait.

Adjacent the Driftwood Shores Resort to the north is Heceta Beach, managed by Lane County Parks. It is a vast sand beach, perfect for long walks, beachcombing and romping. Just what you need when you want to see the ocean! See the live webcam from the hotel.

At Heceta Beach there is a 120-foot long, 6-foot wide Mobi-Mat that extends from the beach parking lot to the sand beach, providing a smooth surface for wheelchairs and strollers. David's Chair, a free beach-going track chair that you can use on the beach, is also stationed there - you just need an advance reservation (see the website for available days). There are vault restrooms (not ADA) at the park (flush and accessible restrooms planned for late 2026).

After beach time, grab lunch at the Surfside Bistro in Driftwood Shores. They serve award-winning clam chowder, fish and chips, burgers, flatbreads, salads and more. The bistro has large ocean-facing windows for a fantastic dining experience, or take your food to go and picnic on the beach. You might be having so much fun that you decide to stay the night - and if you do, there is an indoor aquatic center with a large hot tub and a kids' wading pool.

If you have time, you can call for a taxi ride to the North Jetty for a different beach view, otherwise get a ride to Grocery Outlet to catch the mid-day or the evening return ride with LinkLane.

5. Full Day Scenic Views & Sightseeing

(ocean beach optional)

Maximize your coastal experience with this scenic adventure north of Florence. Start with the Link Lane Eugene Florence Connector to Grocery Outlet (arriving 9:21 a.m.). You will have an hour in that shopping center (there is a Starbucks, but not a lot else) before hoping on the LinkLane Florence Yachats Connector at 10:30 a.m. to continue the journey north on Highway 101. Look out the window at sweeping ocean views, sandy beaches and dramatic ocean cliffs. Along the route you will pass the Sea Lion caves and Heceta head Lighthouse.

Hop off at Washburne State Park (11 a.m.) and take a short hike to the beach. Here you can beachcomb, sun bathe, fly a kite, toss a disc or just meditate depending on your mood and weather conditions. Pack along a big lunch since sea air tends to enliven the appetite and there are no dining options available here. And bring a full water bottle! There are day use restrooms at the site. Either dedicate your time to Washburne Beach until catching the 4:05 p.m. return ride to Florence, or stay on board the bus to the oceanfront town of Yachats. 

If you continue on to Yachats, you will have approximately four hours to explore there. Yachats has a beautiful sand beach, a windswept oceanfront park and lots of little shops and eateries. Favorite places to eat include the Luna Sea Fish House (for fish and chips), The Drift Inn and Ona Restaurant. Bread & Roses Bakery is a must visit for delicious treats, along with WildCraft Cider & Pantry for craft ciders. Styx, Stones, n' Bones is a cool rock shop with a beloved dog mascot. Check the time tables to make sure it aligns with your plans. Catch the 3:45 p.m. LinkLane bus back to Florence in time to take the 5:53 p.m. bus back to Eugene.

For all trips, here are some tips:

• Dress in layers, the weather on the coast can change quickly and can be the inverse of the weather in the Willamette Valley.
• Bring cash in small bills. Exact cash fare is required for riding LinkLane - $5 one-way - (you can also purchase online tickets in advance on Amtrak.com), the Rhody Express ($1 for a one-way ride) and River City Taxi (variable). Additionally, some restaurants and attractions only accept cash; and many prefer it.
• All shuttle transportation is ADA wheelchair accessible with lifts and straps. River City Taxi also has a wheelchair accessible taxi in their fleet.
• LinkLane can accommodate a limited number of bicycles (there are no bicycle rentals in Florence that we have identified.)
• LinkLane allows one suitcase, properly stored on the shuttle. Personal items must fit on your lap or under the seat without interfering with other passengers.
• River City Taxi may have longer wait times in the morning. Uber is very limited in Florence.
• The Rhody Express (in town shuttle) does not operate on weekends and holidays.
• No food or beverage on the shuttles. But you should probably pack a water bottle and snacks if you are heading north.
• Restaurants and attractions open late in the morning. For breakfast try River Roasters Coffee on Bay Street, Little Brown Hen Cafe on Hwy 101 or Starbucks and Dutch Bros near Grocery Outlet. Florence shops and restaurants also close early, but since you'll most likely be catching a shuttle home, that shouldn't have too much impact. 
• Have a Plan B, in case you miss the return shuttle or it is unable to accommodate you due to a maximum of bicycles, wheelchair spaces or people (unlikely, but still be prepared). There are lodging options along Highway 101, Bay Street and at the Three Rivers Casino.