Take This Oregon Road Trip Filled with Adventures

When you think of iconic American road trips, Oregon might not be the first state that comes to mind. But why not take the ‘road trip’ less traveled – ha…see what I did there? This Oregon road trip is a must for anyone looking for breathtaking scenery, small towns, and outdoor adventure – all with the backdrop of fewer people.



Last spring I had the opportunity to experience southern Oregon and fell in love with this special region. The scenic drive along Highway 101 showcases Oregon’s rugged and dramatic coastline, dotted with hidden coves, towering cliffs, and serene beaches. From astoundingly gorgeous sunsets to world-renowned seafood, this road trip itinerary has everything you need for the ultimate Southern Oregon adventure.



But my Oregon road trip doesn’t stop there, I take you inland to the beautiful forests and refreshing rivers as well as a dip into Northern California. State lines are just suggestions – right? This part of Northern California is pretty quiet, which is why I like to add it to the Oregon road trip itinerary. Plus, I must confess, the best redwood forests are in Northern California, and you don’t want to miss them when you are in the region!



Sand Dunes along the Oregon Coast




Save Money With This Round Trip Oregon Road Trip Itinerary



Most of the California Oregon Routes take you from point a to b, but I have an adventure-filled Oregon coast round trip route for you starting and ending in Eugene. That way you can buy a round-trip airline ticket (and get a round-trip rental car) to Eugene and save some money. Plus, you’ll still have the variety of a loop route!




Oregon and Northern California Road Trip Map – Starting from Eugene







If you are simply looking for things to do in Southern Oregon here’s a list of adventurous activities you can do in the region. However, if you want a detailed itinerary of where to stay and eat and basically have a complete itinerary built for you – just skip down to the 6-Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary which also includes all of the adventures listed below, but has much more detailed logistics.




7 Adventures to Take While on a Road Trip of the California and Oregon Coast



First, let’s talk about all of the fun things to do in Southern Oregon and Northern California. All of these can fit into the 6-day Oregon road trip Itinerary below. This way you can put as much or as little adventure into your trip as you want!




1. Sea Kayaking in Port Orford Oregon



When you drive to the Port Orford marina, get ready for a spectacular ‘reveal’ of the southern Oregon coastline! At the marina, you’ll find a little building with a sign for South Coast Tours . The building is a bit weathered by the sea air, but it’s cozy inside. This is where you’ll get all of your high-quality kayaking equipment.




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Our guides, Markus and Emily, gave us ‘lessons’ on the beach and ensured that we were ready to go and tackle the Pacific Ocean! It was super to have two guides with us to keep us together and ensure we were all safe.



Sea kayaking is quite different (and harder) than river or lake kayaking. The swells are a bit intimidating when you are at water level in a sit-in kayak, I always have to tell myself not to panic if the swells are big. They did have sit-on-top kayaks too…but I personally dislike them as I feel like my center of gravity is too high.



We went out as a group and we had someone in our group capsize! However, the guides from South Coast were incredible – they had the person rescued and back into the kayak in no time. It’s great to know that they are well-trained and ready for anything!



There were plenty of little coves, rocks, and caves to paddle near and explore. And then there was the wildlife! We saw seals with pups, and so many cool birds landing and taking off right next to us. And we got to paddle up to the rocks to see sea stars…apparently, this is the new politically correct way to identify a starfish…who knew?





2. Bike the Covered Bridge Scenic Bikeway



In the Cottage Grove region (only 20 minutes from Eugene) you’ll find the biggest concentration of covered bridges west of the Mississippi. The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway follows the Cottage Grove Bike Route and is appropriate for almost any rider. We pedaled past 6 historic covered bridges for 30+ miles (depending on which route you take) of biking bliss!







You can do a loop route that includes riding on the shoulders of rural roads or an out-and-back on a bike trail if you prefer. Either way, the routes are stuffed with incredible scenery, and it’s mostly flat (especially the out and back routes). The route also winds you through historic downtown Cottage Grove and includes a few bridges in town too! Want more details on this route – check out this article on the Covered Bridge Route .



Note – there are no tour companies that offer this, however, there are a number of ways you can do it independently. Rent a bike from Cottage Grove’s Rainy Peak cycles (they have a small inventory so plan ahead), grab this GPS map , or this great PDF map , and go on your own!





3. White Water Rafting on the Rogue River



The Rogue River in Southern Oregon is one of America’s top whitewater rafting destinations due to its incredible scenery, whitewater, and wildlife.




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I tackled the river with Orange Torpedo Trips – a provider out of Merlin Oregon. Orange Torpedo gets its name from a style of river travel they pioneered – meet the orange inflatable kayak. In a torpedo (inflatable kayak), paddlers are closer to the river than is possible in other types of boats. You can actually feel the currents and eddies working beneath you. I did a half-day trip on the Hellgate section of the Rogue River. This is a perfect section to build your inflatable kayaking skills. It was a cold, blustery, rainy, sunny day…yes – the river threw everything at us…and we survived. However, I did tip over once and took a dip in the ‘refreshing’ Rogue River!





4. Hiking in Shore Acres State Park



Stop at this little-known state park along the Oregon coast. Here you’ll find a small botanical garden where something is in bloom almost every day of the year. The first spring bulbs appear in late February; rhododendrons and azaleas soon follow; roses bloom through the summer; and dahlias appear from August through mid-October.



Why not stretch your legs further with the Shore Acres loop hike ? This 1.2-mile hike is a big bang for your effort – my favorite kind of hike! Not only were the forested areas beautiful with mossy green trees and lichen-covered rocks, but then you suddenly popped out on the coast where rocks had swirling patterns and tidepools were abundant. The views were absolutely fabulous! Note – there is a $5/day use fee at the park.















5. Redwoods National Park Hikes



There are a number of hikes you can take in Redwoods National and State Park. I started at the Prairie Creek Visitor Center and hiked the Revelation Trail. As I hiked along the trail I ran my finger across the rough bark of a redwood tree and then compared it to the soft feel of a moss-covered spruce. This was a sensory adventure. Rippling creeks run throughout which provided a soft murmur in the background. My favorite part was taking a big breath and just enjoying the smell of the forest. As you drive through the park you’ll find many other trailheads that take you deep into the Redwood forests.



Note – you will need a National Park Pass to enter the park. You can get an annual one here:



















National Parks Annual Pass






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Skips the lines and get your Annual National Parks Pass from REI! The America the Beautiful Pass Covers entrance for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person (kids 15 & under get in free)



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6. Heceta Head Lighthouse and Beach



Stop and enjoy the sandy beaches and dramatic rocks of the Oregon Coast at Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint. This is a great place to do photography, do some beach combing, and maybe even take a hike up to the lighthouse and beyond! The lighthouse trail connects to the Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) just behind the light station. This 7-mile part of the OCT leads to Carl Washburne Beach and Campground.









7. Slide Down Some Sand Dunes



The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area extends for 40 miles along the Oregon Coast from Florence to Coos Bay; it’s like a giant playground for the adventurous!



Visit Sand Master Park in Florence Oregon to try sandboarding! The park was established in 2000 and is the world’s first sandboard park. It is the only place in the area to rent boards AND teach lessons all in their own private dune park. Josh Tenge, who holds three world records and is a four-time world sandboarding champion, is one of two instructors that have the credentials to teach just about anyone the sport.



You know how you stay young… you always keep trying new things! I tried sandboarding for the first time – I wasn’t great…but I also didn’t suck. Just make sure when you ‘crash’, you close your eyes and mouth!









Regardless- I had fun trying this new-to-me sport. And if you want something a little lower-key, you can always opt for a dune buggy tour !




Related: 10 Reasons to Take a Solo Road Trip




6-Day Oregon Road Trip Itinerary



Day 1: Eugene to Florence



61 Miles Arrive and hit the road for a scenic 1.5-hour drive to the Oregon coast. Head to Florence – a quaint seaside town that is known for its historic Old Town, dunes, and outdoor recreation opportunities.



Try This Oregon Coast Adventure Try Sandboarding, take a dune buggy, or simply take a walk through the scenic Oregon Dunes Recreation Area this afternoon!



Don’t Miss this Food Dinner – Bridgewater Fish House located in the Kyle Building, a historic structure built in 1901 – it has a cozy welcoming bar and vibe in general. Order the fish…any fish…the fish is fresh and incredibly prepared!



Where to Stay near Florence



Driftwood Shores –This is a big hotel, but it’s also quite unique because it has superb beach access. Every room comes with a private patio or balcony with full access to Heceta Beach. They also have standard rooms or suites with kitchens for longer stays. Get up early and walk the beach looking for shells or clams – it’s a tranquil environment that provides some of the best beach access in the area.













Check prices and availability for Driftwood Shores Resort | Read reviews for Driftwood Shores Resort on Trip Advisor | Search for other hotels near Florence





Day 2: Florence to Coos Bay



60 Miles The drive from Haceta Lighthouse to Coos Bay is only about 90 minutes – but expect to make lots of stops along the way thanks to the scenic coastline and abundance of adventures to have along the way. But make sure you leave extra time at your hotel tonight because it is INCREDIBLE! You’ll want to have as much time there as you can enjoying the views and the cabin amenities.







Adventures Around Florence and Coos Bay Do some early morning beach combing, spend some time on the beach at Haceta Head Lighthouse, and enjoy the scenic drive south down the coast (there are lots of places to pull out and take pictures).



Stop at the little-known Shore Acres State Park along the Oregon coast. Here you’ll find a small botanical garden where something is in bloom almost every day of the year. And leave plenty of time for the loop hike at Shore Acres State Park – it will take you close to the crashing waves and tidepools!



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



Lunch – A trip to the Oregon Coast isn’t complete without freshly caught crab! Make sure you stop in at Novelli’s Crab & Seafood. They only sell seafood that was caught that day – and the simple little shack on the dock is worth the stop. But it’s more than just delicious, fresh seafood. Novelli’s only purchases their fresh catches from local fishermen. They are a part of a family of commercial fishermen, who have carried on the tradition of braving the tide and bringing their catch directly to their restaurant. It was such a delicious seafood meal that I ate it outside in the rain! Note – there is only outdoor seating at the crab shack.













Dinner – stop at a local market and pick up fresh fish and some veggies to make at your cottage tonight! Pick up some s’more kits at the Baypoint Landing lobby market and make them over the fire tonight!





Where to Stay in Coos Bay



Bay Point Landing Baypoint Landing took the traditional RV park that you see dotted along the Oregon coast and turned it on its head. Not only is this an RV park, but it also has 26 Scandinavian-inspired cabins and 14 Airstreams trailers that guests can stay in.



The concept is such that there is a central point where there are facilities like an indoor heated saltwater pool, gym, firepits, lounges, lobby, market stocked with local products, bar, and even a food truck. Then the cabins, Airstreams, and RV spots are dispersed out from that central area.



I stayed in one of the cabins, which was made out of a shipping container. It was basically an incredibly cool tiny house. The design was sleek and modern inside, with a full bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. You even had a porch that looked out on the bay. Each cabin also shared a fire pit.





















Not only was the cabin beautiful to stay in, but it was also just plain fun to stay in such a cute tiny home with an incredible view! Check out some other tiny home resorts I’ve stayed in and loved .



Looking for somewhere to stay in Coos Bay? | Read reviews for Bay Point Landing on Trip Advisor | Search for other hotels in Coos Bay, Oregon





Day 3: Coos Bay to Redwoods National and State Park



152 Miles This is an active and scenic day! You’ll have lots of choices of adventures today and quite a bit of driving. It’s a 3-hour drive from Coos Bay to Redwoods National and State Park in California, but it’s the most beautiful section of coastal highway on this trip thanks in part to the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.



Adventures in Southern Oregon You’ve been enjoying those ocean views