 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Gold Beach & Port Orford, Oregon
Gold Beach and Port Orford features one of the world's most scenic drives along Highway 101 as it serpentines along the shoreline of the coast. Visitors travel from around the world to this area for amateur and commercial photography. The area is also home to some of the best of America's Scenic and Wild Rivers: The Rogue, Illinois, Sixes and Elk rivers.
Wild and Scenic Rogue River
Gold Beach is located at the mouth of the famous Rogue River, the town offers wide open natural beaches, river activities and breathtaking views. Take a jet boat trip up the world famous Rogue, camp or RV with a view of the ocean or the many rivers, stop and hike along the many trails.
Historic Port Orford and Cape Blanco Lighthouse
Historic Port Orford is the northern gateway to America’s Wild Rivers Coast. No visit is complete without seeing Cape Blanco Lighthouse, the historic Hughes House, the Lifeboat Station and the commercial fishing port. Fishing, diving, windsurfing, and beach combing opportunities are plentiful.
Map of Gold Beach and Port Orford
View Gold Beach - Port Orford Sightseeing in a larger map
Sightseeing
Prepare to be stunned. Miles and miles of US Route 101 hug the coast and offer coast and beach views from shear cliffs. Whether you are hiking, fishing, strolling along wide-open beaches, riding the jet boats, visiting art galleries, surfing, whale and bird watching, or just sitting and absorbing the stunning scenery, Gold Beach and Port Orford have it all. Port Orford is a working fishing port with views of the ocean and nearby Wild and Scenic Elk and Sixes Rivers. Take a walk to the docks and watch the fishermen bring in their catch. Visit the lighthouse and the coast guard station. No vacation trip to the coast would be complete without an exciting river boat tour of the world famous Rogue River. Sit back and enjoy the exciting ride as the jet boats safely navigate the strong currents and shallow riffles of this wild and ... more
Lodging
The motels in Gold Beach are along the Pacific Ocean and the Rogue River. Port Orford is smaller, but offers a unique lodge worthy of special consideration. Port Orford also has a motel overlooking the Pacific as well as ... more
RVs
Choose from several, with locations near the Pacific Ocean, the world famous Rogue River, or any of the other Wild and Scenic Rivers. You can find WiFi and hookups, cottages and tent sites, located in the isolated wilderness or in town close to dining. There are RV spots in State Parks or Forest Service ... more
Camping
Camp on a beach next to the Pacific Ocean, along the wild and scenic Rogue River, near a lighthouse, or in the middle of the Siskiyou National Forest. There are State Parks, Forest Service facilities and privately run campgrounds to spend your vacation. Choose from those with all the amenities, or rough it. If you prefer, you can backpack into the Siskiyou National Forest and the Kalmiopsis Wilderness ... more
Fishing
There are seven rivers with fighting steelhead within a five-minute to one-hour drive. This includes the Rogue River along with the Sixes, Elk, Pistol, Chetco, Winchuck and Smith Rivers. If you would prefer to ocean fish, ... more
Restaurants
Enjoy the many unique excellent restaurants and take special pride in their fantastic dishes featuring local produce and fresh fish. There are restaurants with views of the Pacific Ocean or the Rogue River ... more
Tide Pooling
Tide pooling is one of the most fascinating family fun vacation activities on the coast. Miles and miles of undeveloped beaches with easy access invite you to explore. Look for rocky beaches (not jetties), then search the zone where the ocean meets land and discover the colorful sea stars and anemones. The best places for tide pooling are rocky areas. These include Rocky Point, Sisters Rocks, and north and south of Otter Point ... more
Hiking
Take the family for a nature walk down from Cape Sebastian, challenge Humbug Mountain or set out for overnight backpack trip in the Rogue River Trail or Illinois River Trail through the Siskiyou National Forest and the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. The Rogue River offers several hiking opportunities. The Rogue River Walk is a day trail (no camping) from just east of Gold Beach. The Lower Rogue River Trail 1168 is another day use trail from just east of Lobster Creek to Agness. The Rogue River Hiking Trail is a backpackers dream, ... more
Bicycling
There are two cycling trips in this section: Port Orford to Gold Beach, then Gold Beach onto Brookings. This is the most physically challenging portion of cycling the Oregon South Coast. It is 28 miles (45 km) from Port Orford to Gold Beach, and Route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, hugs the coast most of the way driving the cyclist up and down several demanding hills. Yet cycling along this portion of the Oregon South Coast is rewarding with amazing views, plus bird and whale watching as you bike. The bike ride from Gold Beach to Brookings is 28 miles (45 km) and starts out with the most challenging climb on the Oregon South Coast, the climb up Cape Sebastian. After hitting the peak, there is a turn to the right up to Cape Sebastian State Park and that presents another short brutal climb that is worth it on a clear day for the view. Then, test your brakes flying down Route 101 ... more
Horseback Riding
Imagine riding a horse along a wide sandy beach, watching a majestic sunset across the Pacific at world famous Pistol River. Or pack with your horse into the Siskiyou National Forest or into the Kalmiopsis Wilderness. Bring your own and camp along the ocean, or ... more
Whales
Battle Rock is located in Port Orford at the southern end of town, while Cape Blanco is a short distance to the north. Cape Sebastian is located just south of Gold Beach. All three of these places are great for whale watching. Cape Ferrelo is one of the best places in the state for whale watching. It is located ... more
Wildlife
The area is still largely rural and unspoiled. Most people live in a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the coast mountain range. The vast majority of this part of the coast is part of the Siskiyou National Forest or is otherwise owned by the US Government and is unspoiled by man. The best way to spot the wildlife may be to ... more
Surfing - Windsurfing
Surfing and windsurfing opportunities abound at the uncrowded beaches. Favorite spots are just south of Port Orford, and just south of the Rogue River jetty in Gold Beach. Both areas are easily accessible from Route 101. Gold Beach is home of the world famous Pistol River Wave Bash, a double elimination windsurfing contest will be run during the two best days of wind and waves. The Pistol River Wave Bash has become ... more
Bird Watching
A favorite of birders is to take one of the jet boats up the Wild and Scenic Rogue River where eagles, falcons and other birds that fish the river are in abundance. The less traveled Sixes and Elk Rivers are also favorites of bird watchers There are also scenic points at Cape Sebastian, Otter Point, Cape Blanco, among others that offer excellent ... more
etc
Don't let the modest look of these towns fool you, as there is a lot to see and do. From agate hunting on the beaches, visiting the many art galleries, Myrtlewood shops, music concerts, to the special activities at the Event Center - there is a lot going on. When you arrive, you may fall in love with the area. This section also includes Realtor listing ... more
