Settle Down in Coos Bay

Day Five of a Five Day Drive from LA to Coos Bay

As our trip evolved it went from a two week trip along the entire Pacific Coast to a one-week trip up the California coast followed by a week in Coos Bay. (Why Coos Bay? Click here.) We rented a bayside cottage, and it worked out wonderfully. We found it well-furnished and more than ample in size, yet cozy. Best of all were the wide views from the bluff-top location — from the large deck, from the kitchen, and from the master bedroom. We watched freighters pass by stacked with logs, and the coast guard practice a night rescue.

Bayside Cottage Views

OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, View west over Coos Bay towards Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, from the deck of a vacation rental [Ask for #271.111.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, View west over Coos Bay towards Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, from the deck of a vacation rental [Ask for #271.111.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, Bay view from the deck of a vacation cottage; panoramic image. [Ask for #271.160.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, Bay view from the deck of a vacation cottage; panoramic image. [Ask for #271.160.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, A ship enters Coos Bay to pick up a load of logs, as viewed from the bluffs south of the village's center [Ask for #271.121.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, A ship enters Coos Bay to pick up a load of logs, as viewed from the bluffs south of the village's center [Ask for #271.121.]

Here's a freighter going past our deck.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, Ruined fishing docks mark the centerof this former village [Ask for #271.113.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Empire District, Ruined fishing docks mark the centerof this former village [Ask for #271.113.]

Empire was once an independent port town to the west of Coos Bay, but is now part of the city. It's just a short distance from our cottage.

North Bend

OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, A ship loads logs by the boardwalk [Ask for #271.114.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, A ship loads logs by the boardwalk [Ask for #271.114.]

North Bend is Coos Bay's smaller sibling, adjacent to its north. It has a working sea port in its downtown, a happy remnant from earlier days.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, A ship loads logs by the boardwalk [Ask for #271.115.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, A ship loads logs by the boardwalk [Ask for #271.115.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, Logs are loaded onto an ocean-going ship; panoramic view. [Ask for #271.159.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, Logs are loaded onto an ocean-going ship; panoramic view. [Ask for #271.159.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, Logs are loaded onto an ocean-going ship [Ask for #271.126.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, Logs are loaded onto an ocean-going ship [Ask for #271.126.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, Logs are loaded onto an ocean-going ship [Ask for #271.125.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of North Bend, Waterfront, Logs are loaded onto an ocean-going ship [Ask for #271.125.]

Coos Bay

OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Welcome sign [Ask for #271.118.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Welcome sign [Ask for #271.118.]

Coos Bay's downtown port is now a boardwalk with historical exhibits, docks for small boats and tugs, a fishmonger, and great views.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Fishermen's Seafood Market floats just off the boardwalk, offering fresh local fish [Ask for #271.117.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Fishermen's Seafood Market floats just off the boardwalk, offering fresh local fish [Ask for #271.117.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Tugboats moor by maritime displays [Ask for #271.116.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Tugboats moor by maritime displays [Ask for #271.116.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Tugboats [Ask for #271.120.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, Tugboats [Ask for #271.120.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, View towards a timber processing plant at Eastside [Ask for #271.119.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, City of Coos Bay, Waterfront Boardwalk, View towards a timber processing plant at Eastside [Ask for #271.119.]

The largest ports on Coos Bay are removed from town, as in other modern port cities. Here's a view from the boardwalk towards the large wood processing port at Eastside.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, The North Shore, Jordan Cove Road, View towards the timber processing and loading dock at Jordan Cove, and McCullough Bridge [Ask for #271.129.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, The North Shore, Jordan Cove Road, View towards the timber processing and loading dock at Jordan Cove, and McCullough Bridge [Ask for #271.129.]


Here's another large port, on the north side of the bay at Jordan Cove, part of the huge sand spit that holds the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coquille Area, Town of Coquille, Cedar Point Mill, View over log pond [Ask for #271.143.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coquille Area, Town of Coquille, Cedar Point Mill, View over log pond [Ask for #271.143.]

Let's finish up the local timber industry with this timber pond near Coquille, south and inland from Coos Bay.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coquille Area, Town of Coquille, Cedar Point Mill, View over log pond [Ask for #271.145.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coquille Area, Town of Coquille, Cedar Point Mill, View over log pond [Ask for #271.145.]

Coos Bay Cliffs

OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Sunset Bay State Park, Cliffs [Ask for #271.151.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Sunset Bay State Park, Cliffs [Ask for #271.151.]

A set of eight state parks immediately south of town make the cliffs easy to view.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Shore Acres State Park, Cliffs [Ask for #271.154.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Shore Acres State Park, Cliffs [Ask for #271.154.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Cape Arago State Park, Cliff view [Ask for #271.156.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Cape Arago State Park, Cliff view [Ask for #271.156.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Cape Arago State Park, Cliff view [Ask for #271.157.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Cape Arago State Park, Cliff view [Ask for #271.157.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Cape Arago State Park, Overlook [Ask for #271.155.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Cape Arago State Park, Overlook [Ask for #271.155.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Shore Acres State Park, Seals at the base of the cliffs [Ask for #271.153.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Cape Arago Area, Shore Acres State Park, Seals at the base of the cliffs [Ask for #271.153.]

The Coast Range

OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, The Coos River, Chandler Bridge, c. 1952 [Ask for #271.141.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, The Coos River, Chandler Bridge, c. 1952 [Ask for #271.141.]

The coastal mountains, with a local relief of two to three thousand feet, can be reached directly from town center by following the Coos River.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, The Coos River, Chandler Bridge, c. 1952 [Ask for #271.142.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, The Coos River, Chandler Bridge, c. 1952 [Ask for #271.142.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Millicoma Myrtle Grove Park, View of the Millacoma River [Ask for #271.140.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Millicoma Myrtle Grove Park, View of the Millacoma River [Ask for #271.140.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Gold and Silver Falls State Park, Trail through forest [Ask for #271.138.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Golden and Silver Falls State Park, Trail through forest [Ask for #271.138.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Gold and Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls, viewed through forest [Ask for #271.132.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Golden and Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls, viewed through forest [Ask for #271.132.]

Golden and Silver Falls, part of a state park, are the best known of the local outdoor destinations. Here's Silver Falls.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Gold and Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls [Ask for #271.136.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Gold and Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls [Ask for #271.136.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Gold and Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls, panorama [Ask for #271.135.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Coos Bay Area, Coos River Mountains, Gold and Silver Falls State Park, Silver Falls, panorama [Ask for #271.135.]

Bandon

OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, Large hoodoos emerge from the beach and ocean at South Jetty County Park [Ask for #271.149.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, Large hoodoos emerge from the beach and ocean at South Jetty County Park [Ask for #271.149.]

Bandon is the next town down from Coos Bay, a beach community of some three thousand souls twenty-five miles to its south. I much prefer beaches such as this one to the calm, tame beaches from my Florida childhood (much less the condo alleys they have become) — but then again, I was never much of one for actually going in the water.
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, Large hoodoos emerge from the beach and ocean at South Jetty County Park [Ask for #271.150.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, Large hoodoos emerge from the beach and ocean at South Jetty County Park [Ask for #271.150.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, View across river to Coquille River Lighthouse in Bullards Beach State Park [Ask for #271.146.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, View across river to Coquille River Lighthouse in Bullards Beach State Park [Ask for #271.146.]
OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, View across river to Coquille River Lighthouse in Bullards Beach State Park [Ask for #271.148.]


OR: South Coast Region, Coos County, Bandon Area, Town of Bandon, Coquille River Mouth, South Jetty, View across river to Coquille River Lighthouse in Bullards Beach State Park [Ask for #271.148.]
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