Once you consider iconic American road trips, Oregon won’t be the primary state that involves thoughts. However why not take the ‘highway journey’ much less traveled – ha…see what I did there? This Oregon highway journey is a should for anybody on the lookout for breathtaking surroundings, small cities, and out of doors journey – all with the backdrop of fewer folks.

Final spring, I had the chance to expertise southern Oregon and fell in love with this particular area. The scenic drive alongside Freeway 101 showcases Oregon’s rugged and dramatic shoreline, dotted with hidden coves, towering cliffs, and serene seashores. From astoundingly attractive sunsets to world-renowned seafood, this highway journey itinerary has every part you want for the last word Southern Oregon journey.

However my Oregon highway journey doesn’t cease there; I take you inland to the attractive forests and refreshing rivers, in addition to a dip into Northern California. State strains are simply recommendations – proper? This a part of Northern California is fairly quiet, which is why I like so as to add it to the Oregon highway journey itinerary.

Plus, I need to confess that one of the best redwood forests are in Northern California, and also you don’t wish to miss them if you end up within the area!

Oregon and Northern California Street Journey Map – Ranging from Eugene

In case you are merely on the lookout for issues to do in Southern Oregon, right here’s an inventory of adventurous actions you are able to do within the area. Nonetheless, if you’d like an in depth itinerary of the place to remain and eat and principally have a whole itinerary constructed for you – simply skip right down to the 6-Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary, which additionally contains all the adventures listed beneath however has way more detailed logistics.

1. Sea Kayaking in Port Orford, Oregon

Once you drive to the Port Orford marina, prepare for a spectacular ‘reveal’ of the southern Oregon shoreline! On the marina, you’ll discover somewhat constructing with an indication for South Coast Tours. The constructing is a bit weathered by the ocean air, however it’s cozy inside. That is the place you’ll get your whole high-quality kayaking gear.

Our guides, Markus and Emily, gave us ‘classes’ on the seashore and ensured that we have been able to go and deal with the Pacific Ocean! It was tremendous to have two guides with us to maintain us collectively and guarantee we have been all protected.

Sea kayaking is sort of completely different (and tougher) than river or lake kayaking. The swells are a bit intimidating if you end up at water stage in a sit-in kayak; I at all times have to inform myself to not panic if the swells are large. They did have sit-on-top kayaks, too…however I personally dislike them as I really feel like my heart of gravity is simply too excessive.

Try my hiking packing list: Essential hiking gear for any hike

We went out as a gaggle, and we had somebody in our group capsize! Nonetheless, the guides from the South Coast have been unbelievable – they’d the individual rescued and again into the kayak very quickly. It’s nice to know that they’re well-trained and prepared for something!

There have been loads of little coves, rocks, and caves to paddle close to and discover. After which there was the wildlife! We noticed seals with pups and so many cool birds touchdown and taking off proper subsequent to us. And we acquired to paddle as much as the rocks to see sea stars…apparently, that is the brand new politically right solution to establish a starfish…who knew?

2. Bike the Lined Bridge Scenic Bikeway

Within the Cottage Grove area (solely 20 minutes from Eugene), you’ll discover the most important focus of coated bridges west of the Mississippi. The Lined Bridges Scenic Bikeway follows the Cottage Grove Bike Route and is suitable for nearly any rider. We pedaled previous six historic coated bridges for 30+ miles (relying on which route you are taking) of biking bliss!

You are able to do a loop route that features driving on the shoulders of rural roads or an out-and-back on a motorbike path in the event you desire. Both approach, the routes are full of unbelievable surroundings, and it’s principally flat (particularly the out and again routes). The route additionally winds you thru historic downtown Cottage Grove and features a few bridges on the town, too! In order for you extra particulars on this route, try this article on the Covered Bridge Route.

Notice – there aren’t any tour corporations that provide this. Nonetheless, there are a selection of the way you are able to do it independently. Hire a motorbike from Cottage Grove’s Wet Peak Cycles (they’ve a small stock, so plan forward), seize this GPS map or this PDF map, and go by yourself!

3. White Water Rafting on the Rogue River

The Rogue River in Southern Oregon is one in all America’s prime whitewater rafting locations attributable to its unbelievable surroundings, whitewater, and wildlife.

I tackled the river with Orange Torpedo Trips – a supplier out of Merlin, Oregon. Orange Torpedo will get its identify from a mode of river journey they pioneered – meet the orange inflatable kayak. In a torpedo (inflatable kayak), paddlers are nearer to the river than is feasible in different sorts of boats. You may truly really feel the currents and eddies working beneath you. I did a half-day journey on the Hellgate part of the Rogue River. This can be a good part to construct your inflatable kayaking abilities. It was a chilly, blustery, wet, sunny day…sure – the river threw every part at us…and we survived. Nonetheless, I did tip over as soon as and took a dip within the ‘refreshing’ Rogue River!

4. Mountain climbing in Shore Acres State Park

Cease at this little-known state park alongside the Oregon coast. Right here, you’ll discover a small botanical backyard the place one thing is in bloom virtually day-after-day of the yr. The primary spring bulbs seem in late February; rhododendrons and azaleas quickly observe; roses bloom via the summer season; and dahlias seem from August via mid-October.

Why not stretch your legs additional with the Shore Acres loop hike? This 1.2-mile hike is an enormous bang to your effort – my favourite sort of hike! Not solely have been the forested areas lovely with mossy inexperienced bushes and lichen-covered rocks however then you definately all of a sudden popped out on the coast the place rocks had swirling patterns and tidepools have been considerable. The views have been completely fabulous! Notice – there’s a $5/day use charge on the park.

5. Redwoods Nationwide Park Hikes

There are a selection of hikes you’ll be able to soak up Redwoods Nationwide and State Park. I began on the Prairie Creek Customer Middle and hiked the Revelation Path. As I hiked alongside the path, I ran my finger throughout the tough bark of a redwood tree after which in contrast it to the smooth really feel of a moss-covered spruce. This was a sensory journey. Rippling creeks run all through, which supplies a smooth murmur within the background. My favourite half was taking an enormous breath and simply having fun with the scent of the forest. As you drive via the park, you’ll discover many other trailheads that can take you deep into the Redwood forests.

Notice – you’ll need a Nationwide Park Move to enter the park. You may get an annual one right here:

National Parks Annual Pass

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6. Heceta Head Lighthouse and Seaside

Cease and benefit from the sandy seashores and dramatic rocks of the Oregon Coast at Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. This can be a great spot to do images, do some seashore combing, and perhaps even take a hike as much as the lighthouse and past! The lighthouse path connects to the Oregon Coast Path (OCT) simply behind the sunshine station. This 7-mile a part of the OCT results in Carl Washburne Seaside and Campground.

7. Slide Down Some Sand Dunes

The Oregon Dunes Nationwide Recreation Space extends for 40 miles alongside the Oregon Coast from Florence to Coos Bay; it’s like an enormous playground for the adventurous!

Go to Sand Master Park in Florence, Oregon, to attempt sandboarding! The park was established in 2000 and is the world’s first sandboard park. It’s the solely place within the space to lease boards AND train classes, all in their very own personal dune park. Josh Tenge, who holds three world information and is a four-time world sandboarding champion, is one in all two instructors who’ve the credentials to show nearly anybody the game.

You understand how you keep younger… you at all times maintain attempting new issues! I attempted sandboarding for the primary time – I wasn’t nice…however I additionally didn’t suck. Simply ensure that while you ‘crash’, you shut your eyes and mouth!

Regardless- I had enjoyable attempting this new-to-me sport. And if you’d like one thing somewhat lower-key, you’ll be able to at all times go for a dune buggy tour!

6-Day Oregon Street Journey Itinerary

Day 1: Eugene to Florence

61 Miles
Arrive and hit the highway for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the Oregon coast. Head to Florence – a quaint seaside city that’s recognized for its historic Previous City, dunes, and out of doors recreation alternatives.

Attempt This Oregon Coast Journey
Attempt Sandboarding, take a dune buggy, or just take a stroll via the scenic Oregon Dunes Recreation Space this afternoon!

Don’t Miss this Meals
Dinner – Bridgewater Fish House, positioned within the Kyle Constructing, a historic construction inbuilt 1901 – has a comfy, welcoming bar and vibe on the whole. Order the fish…any fish…the fish is contemporary and extremely ready!

The place to Keep Close to Florence

Driftwood Shores – This can be a large lodge, however it’s additionally fairly distinctive as a result of it has excellent seashore entry. Each room comes with a personal patio or balcony with full entry to Heceta Seaside. In addition they have normal rooms or suites with kitchens for longer stays. Stand up early and stroll the seashore on the lookout for shells or clams – it’s a tranquil surroundings that gives among the greatest seashore entry within the space.

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Day 2: Florence to Coos Bay

60 Miles
The drive from Haceta Lighthouse to Coos Bay is barely about 90 minutes – however count on to make a lot of stops alongside the way in which due to the scenic shoreline and abundance of adventures to have alongside the way in which. However ensure you go away further time at your lodge tonight as a result of it’s INCREDIBLE! You’ll wish to have as a lot time there as you’ll be able to having fun with the views and the cabin facilities.

Adventures Round Florence and Coos Bay
Do some early morning seashore combing, spend a while on the seashore at Haceta Head Lighthouse, and benefit from the scenic drive south down the coast (there are many locations to tug out and take photos).

Cease on the little-known Shore Acres State Park alongside the Oregon coast. Right here, you’ll discover a small botanical backyard the place one thing is in bloom virtually day-after-day of the yr. And go away loads of time for the loop hike at Shore Acres State Park – it’ll take you near the crashing waves and tidepools!

Don’t Miss this Meals
For a hearty breakfast – try Contemporary Harvest Café in Florence and check out their Salmon Crepes!

Lunch – A visit to the Oregon Coast isn’t full with out freshly caught crab! Ensure you cease in at Novelli’s Crab & Seafood. They solely promote seafood that was caught that day – and the straightforward little shack on the dock is definitely worth the cease. Nevertheless it’s extra than simply scrumptious, contemporary seafood. Novelli’s solely purchases their contemporary catches from native fishermen. They’re part of a household of economic fishermen who’ve carried on the custom of braving the tide and bringing their catch on to their restaurant. It was such a scrumptious seafood meal that I ate it exterior within the rain! Notice – there’s solely out of doors seating on the crab shack.

Dinner – cease at an area market and decide up contemporary fish and a few veggies to make at your cottage tonight! Choose up some s’extra kits on the Baypoint Touchdown foyer market and make them over the hearth tonight!

Uncover mountains, dunes, and canyons on this Southwest Colorado road trip

The place to Keep in Coos Bay

Bay Level Touchdown
Baypoint Touchdown took the normal RV park that you simply see dotted alongside the Oregon coast and turned it on its head. Not solely is that this an RV park, however it additionally has 26 Scandinavian-inspired cabins and 14 Airstream trailers that visitors can keep in.

The idea is such that there’s a central level the place there are services like an indoor heated saltwater pool, gymnasium, firepits, lounges, foyer, market stocked with native merchandise, bar, and even a meals truck. Then, the cabins, Airstreams, and RV spots are dispersed out from that central space.

I stayed in one of many cabins, which was made out of a delivery container. It was principally an extremely cool tiny home. The design was modern and trendy inside, with a full lavatory, kitchen, and bed room. You even had a porch that appeared out on the bay. Every cabin additionally shared a hearth pit.

Not solely was the cabin lovely to remain in, however it was additionally simply plain enjoyable to remain in such a cute tiny residence with an unbelievable view! Try some other tiny home resorts I’ve stayed in and loved.

In search of someplace to remain in Coos Bay? | Learn reviews for Bay Point Landing on Journey Advisor | Seek for different hotels in Coos Bay, Oregon

Day 3: Coos Bay to Redwoods Nationwide and State Park

152 Miles
That is an energetic and scenic day! You’ll have a lot of selections of adventures right now and fairly a little bit of driving. It’s a 3-hour drive from Coos Bay to Redwoods Nationwide and State Park in California, however it’s probably the most lovely part of coastal freeway on this journey, thanks partially to the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Hall.

Adventures in Southern Oregon
You’ve been having fun with these ocean views whereas driving; now it’s time to get within the ocean! Cease in Port Orford at South Coast Tours, the place you are able to do some morning kayaking, boat excursions/whale watching, and even browsing classes! I paddled round Port Orford Heads on a spectacular morning. They’ve all of the gear you want for kayaking and staying heat/dry.

Hike the Natural Bridge short trail to top-of-the-line viewpoints in Samuel H. Boardman State Park. The seven iconic arch rocks and blowholes are referred to as Pure Bridges. You may merely cease on the overlook off of Hwy 101, or if you’re on the lookout for extra, you’ll be able to hike a really brief part of the Oregon Coast path that takes you farther from the highway.

Don’t Miss this Meals
Breakfast – cook dinner one thing your self in your cute cabin kitchen!

Lunch – After kayaking and earlier than you permit Port Orford for the drive to Northern California, cease for lunch at Loopy Norwegian’s Fish and Chips Shack It’s the right cease stuffed with seaside allure and small-town hospitality. Attempt their cole slaw in the event you love mustard. Fish and chips have been completely battered, they usually had scrumptious fried oysters with distinctive sauces- particularly the tartar sauce.
Dinner at Requa Inn (Wed to Solar) or in Crescent Metropolis.

The place to Keep in Northern California

Requa Inn – Two phrases…cinnamon rolls. Sure, this place is price a keep only for its scrumptious cinnamon rolls within the morning. The Historic Requa Inn overlooks the Klamath River in Northern California.

The Inn was inbuilt 1914 and every room is exclusive with a distinct format. The old-world allure is welcoming; nonetheless, their meals is something however old-world. They’ve a restaurant on web site that serves a prix fixe dinner menu from Wednesday to Sunday. However make sure you verify their web site for the newest updates.

The historic Requa Inn is within the coronary heart of the co-managed Redwood state and nationwide parks. The parks have been designated as a world biosphere reserve and world heritage web site. This can be a good location to get the most out of a visit to Redwoods National and State Park. It’s a gorgeous and distinctive setting the place you’ll be able to unplug and luxuriate in nature…and did I point out they’ve cinnamon rolls?!

Try the Historic Requa Inn in Klamath, CA | Learn reviews for Requa Inn on Journey Advisor | Seek for different hotels near Redwoods National Park

Day 4: Redwoods Nationwide Park to Grants Move

73 Miles
At present, you’ll benefit from the light giants in Redwoods Nationwide Park or different Redwood Groves in your approach again into Oregon. Make a fast cease in Crescent Metropolis to take a look at the lighthouse and seize a beer. Then, head again to Oregon, heading inland in the direction of the wild and scenic Rouge River.

Northern California Adventures and Stops
There are a selection of trails to hike in Redwoods Nationwide Park – I began on the Prairie Creek Customer Middle and hiked the Revelation Trail. Or you’ll be able to drive the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway – the Nationwide Park’s model of the Avenue of the Giants. There are tons of pullouts the place you’ll be able to cease and take brief hikes into the woods and try out a bit of forest bathing.

Earlier than crossing again into Oregon, cease at scenic Crescent Metropolis and take a look at the Battery Level Lighthouse – one of many first lighthouses constructed on the rugged California Coast. There’s an excellent museum to go to within the lighthouse – nonetheless, you’ll be able to solely go to the lighthouse and island at low tides – so make sure you learn the tide schedule earlier than going.

Don’t Miss this Meals
Breakfast this morning is to not be missed at Requa Inn!
Cease at Sea Quake Brewery close to the lighthouse and luxuriate in a craft beer and sandwiches earlier than heading again into Oregon.

Dinner at Taprock Grill in Grants Move – it has out of doors seating proper alongside the river.

The place to Keep in Grants Move

Keep on the historic Weaskyou Inn. This Oregon legend was inbuilt 1924 alongside the banks of the Rogue River. It was a trip retreat for a lot of Hollywood personalities reminiscent of Clark Gable, Carol Lombard, and Walt Disney. In 1993, Nation Home Inns bought Weasku Inn and commenced restoring it. Along with the historic predominant timber lodge, they’ve cute, new, spacious cottages to remain in!

Nonetheless, the primary timber lodge is basically the place you’ll discover all of the historical past. Its cozy fire welcomes you in, and the partitions are stuffed with outdated photos. The grounds of the Inn are additionally lovely and tranquil. It was a whole deal with to spend an evening and a morning at this iconic inn.

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Day 6: Cottage Grove to Eugene

21 Miles
At present, you’re going to cowl the bottom on two wheels! Biking is the easiest way to expertise the abundance of coated bridges on this a part of Oregon! Spend your day exploring the bridges by bike after which head again to Eugene to come back full circle on this Oregon Street Journey!

And, after all, in the event you aren’t a biker – then you’ll be able to skip today or take time to take pleasure in Cottage Grove.

Biking Adventures
Lane County (Cottage Grove) has extra coated bridges than every other county west of the Mississippi River! You may lease bikes and head off on the Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway. Hire a motorbike or e-bike from Wet Peak Bicycles in Cottage Grove and benefit from the bucolic countryside stuffed with rural farmland, lakes, and coated bridges.

The place to Eat
Lunch – Get a packed lunch from any native restaurant in Cottage Grove and take it with you. Or go biking within the morning and cease in at Jack Sprat’s in Cottage Grove for lunch after the trip.

Dinner – Oregon Wine Lab and Da Nang Vietnamese Meals Truck is the right setting for a novel Eugene consuming expertise.

The place to Keep in Eugene

Graduate Lodge is a small chain of resorts present in school cities throughout America. Every lodge is adorned with a nod in the direction of the native historical past – you’ll be able to form of contemplate it a theme lodge. I really like a very good theme, so I really like to remain on the Graduate Resorts any time I can! The Eugene model had nods to Nike, Steve Prefontaine, the Oregon Geese, the Simpsons, and extra. Staying right here is truthfully like somewhat scavenger hunt via Eugene’s historical past!

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Whether or not you wish to do some Southern Oregon Adventures and plan a visit your self, or if you’d like a whole Oregon highway journey itinerary laid out for you – I’ve acquired you coated! This area is out of doors bliss…it has every part for the one that needs to get outside and loves highway journeys. Benefit from the coast, seashore, forests, lakes, trails, cities, and coated bridges of Southern Oregon!