Exploring the Southern Oregon Coast - Overview
The lure of land in Oregon is strong, especially to Californians who see the price of real estate rising with no end in sight. The stories of untouched natural resources and reasonable housing pricings create a dream too inviting to ignore. Armed with hopes and wishes, and one practical guide book to Coastal Oregon (from Moon Handbooks), I set off across the Northern California border to see for myself if this was the place for my vacation or retirement home.
Crossing Humboldt County in California, the drive through the redwoods is overpowering with stillness. The mountains are so high and majestic that a feeling of giddiness comes over me. I instinctively feel how small man is compared to the power of nature. Then dropping out of the redwoods and mountains, in front of me stretches a vista of the ocean. The suddenness takes my breath away. Inspired by the view, I keep my foot to the pedal, determined to make it to the first Oregon town on my list, Brookings-Harbor. By sunset, I find myself walking on the most beautiful coastline I have ever seen. The rocks stand majestic in the water, creating a barrier for the ocean to calm itself before it reaches the beach, above which are the forests lush with unfamiliar flowers and trees. The full moon rose, and I thought, Yes, Oregon is different.
Over the next four days, using my Coastal Oregon guidebook, as well as the Mile-by-Mile 
Guide to the Oregon Coast, published by the Oregon Coast Magazine, I explore the coast, stopping in the major towns along the way:
- Brookings/Harbor
- Gold Beach
- Bandon
- Charleston/Coos Bay/North Bend
- Florence
Each town is conveniently set about 30 miles apart, basically because that's how far the early stage coast could run without needing a break. Florence marks the halfway point of the coast, and offers an easy turn-around as it is only an hour from Eugene. Reluctantly leaving the Northern Coast for a future trip (starting from Portland), I head inland, and investigate Southern Oregon from the inside, including:
- Eugene
- Roseburg
- Grants Pass
- Jacksonville
- Ashland
Finally, after seven days in Oregon, I cross the border back into California and head home. Now the dream of land in Oregon is alive and visible in my waking state. Indeed, Oregon truly lives up to its reputation. Every location offers nature at its bestâ??from forests to sand dunes to long stretches of thrilling shoreline. Each town provides a central point from which one can choose affordable and modestly appreciating real estate. People in Oregon are unique and different, many having lived in Oregon their whole life, expressing their firm connection to the land and the culture there.
If you are dreaming of a second home in Oregon, my heartfelt recommendation is go and see for yourself. You might just wake up to your dream.
For a detailed description of each town, click on the town name.
- Brookings/Harbor
- Gold Beach
- Bandon
- Charleston/Coos Bay/North Bend
- Florence
And for a peek of magical mountains in-land, check out Ashland.
*Source for Map:
Oregon Coast Mile-by-Mile Guide 2004/2005, Oregon Coast Magazine, Florence, Oregon