Let’s Talk Real Estate – November 2022

As Realtors in Southern Oregon for over 20 years, we have met hundreds of families moving into our area from out of state. We quickly become their “go-to” for advice on where to go, what to do, and how to enjoy our great outdoors. We quickly realized that our job was not just selling homes, but it was selling the Southern Oregon lifestyle. For that reason, we wrote “Discovering Southern Oregon” and published it on our website. The content is divided into twenty-one sections such as hikes, theaters, golf courses, rivers, lakes, drives, and wineries. Every year we discover more and publish more. You can see it all at https://www.expertprops.com/discovering-south-oregon/. We are now writing a summary of the “Best” in each category, which we began in the June Jacksonville Review, and will continue until completed. Our favorites in each category have been scientifically selected from our subjective opinions.

Best Scenic Byways—Tie: Pacific Coast & Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway—Western Oregon is well represented by both Byways. The Rogue-Umpqua Byway gives you a taste of the Cascade Mountains, two major rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and forests. The Pacific Coast Byway gives you an all-inspiring drive along some of the most beautiful and rugged coastline you’ll experience.

The Pacific Coast Scenic byway begins in Brookings, a town of 6,800 that boast some of the warmest temperatures along the Oregon coast. Before I go, I check the weather and I always check the Chetco River Bar Camera to see if it’s foggy or clear. When I arrive, I like to explore the harbor, watch the fishing boats come in, and go out, and get a bowl of clam chowder at The Hungry Clam or the Catalyst. If you really want a great adventure, you can rent a Kayak at the Harbor from South Coast Tours and either kayak up the Chetco River or explore the rugged coastal shoreline.

The Pacific Coast Scenic Byway runs 363 miles up the coast ending at Astoria, but for this article, we’re going to drive the Southern Oregon section, 82 miles from Brookings to Bandon. So, head north out of Brooking on Hwy 101 and you will soon come upon the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor which offers 12 miles of trails, viewpoints, and beaches. Stop at every turn-out, as you will find stunning views or a short trail to a lookout or beach. My favorite turnout, is the Natural Bridges Viewpoint Trail, a very short trail leads you to a platform with dramatic views of a sea stack that look like an elephant’s head.

My favorite trail is the one to Indian Sands Beach. It’s a moderate 1.1-mile loop trail. The trail heads down a steep, forested canyon with beautiful views of the ocean then ends at cliffs of sand, no, not a sandy beach, but cliffs of sand. It looks like a giant sand trap on a Scottish golf course overlooking the ocean. These dunes weren’t created by the ocean, but from the eroding sandstone cliff. If it’s a beach you’re looking for, drive down to Whaleshead Beach, named for a giant imposing Sea Stack that juts out of the sea. This long beach has a few creeks cascading down the cliffs that you’ll have to ford if you’re going to walk its length.

As you are leaving the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor you will drive over the 345 feet tall Thomas Creek Bridge which is the tallest bridge in Oregon, and head along the shore across the Pistol River and onto Gold Beach, where the Rogue River pours into the ocean. Make sure you check out Jerry’s Rogue Jets, for a classic Oregon experience up the wild and scenic Rogue River.

Continuing past Gold Beach you pass the Prehistoric Gardens, which is a great family roadside attraction that features 23 life-sized dinosaur sculptures along a forested path, then Hwy 101 will make a turn and around the 1765-foot-high Humbug Mountain, which is one of the largest mountains that rise directly from the Pacific Ocean.

From there you will drive along the shore until you reach Port Orford, a scenic fishing harbor and one of the oldest towns on the Oregon coast. This is where the boats are lifted onto the dock as there are no slips. It’s also home to Battle Rock Wayside, where the Quatomah Native Americans fought Captain William Tichenor’s men in 1851. Overlooking Battle Rock and the coastline is an all-glass restaurant, Redfish. It serves some of the best food on the Southern Coast, and it’s my favorite coastal restaurant.

Heading back on 101 north, the road runs inland from the coast all the way to Bandon. Along the way, you can make a turnoff to see the Cape Blanco Lighthouse which was built in 1870 and is the oldest standing lighthouse on the Oregon coast. You can also stop at the West Coast Game Park, which is a one-of-a-kind wildlife safari where you will be surrounded by 450 exotic birds and animals, including a snow leopard, chimps, and lions.

Bandon, which is known as the Cranberry Capital of the West Coast, is surrounded by cranberry bogs, it’s also where Coquille River ends its journey and runs into the sea. This artistic town offers shopping, dining, history, and art all located in the Old Town, and make sure you try Tony’s Crab Shack, for some fresh seafood. Bandon is also home to the world-renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, the Italianate-style Coquille River Lighthouse, and a three-day Cranberry festival each September. The outdoor activities are endless and when you’re done exploring you can head east on Hwy 42 to Interstate 5.