Gold Beach to Yachats

On day 18 of our out west(June) adventure we will be traveling from Gold Beach to Yachats. We came north to south a few years ago, but were in a hurry and didn%26#39;t get to enjoy this stretch of hwy. Please advise me on places that we must stop and see along this section. Could you tell me more about the scenic detour that turns off in Coos Bay?? Is that worth the detour time? We would like some easy access to some tide pool/rocky/driftwood beaches. Last time we stopped at Bullards Beach and loved finding all the pretty colored rocks.

On Day 19 we will travel Yachats back to Florence and over to Mapleton and some water falls and then on to Roseburg for our next day of waterfalls before we head to Bend. Any advice - lunch stops on this section?

Gold Beach to Yachats

The drive from Port Orford, just north of Gold Beach) to Coos Bay (really to Florence) is nothing too spectacular in terms of scenery, thus, I suggest you DO take the drive out to Sunset Bay/Shore Acres State Parks, west of Coos Bay. This is a spectaculary beautiful area and well worth the 7 mile drive to get there. The route is well marked off of hwy 101 in downtown Coos Bay, but if you happen to miss the turn for some reason, just a couple miles north in North Bend will be annother, well signed opportunity. You might also consider stopping at Port Orford Heads State Park in Port Orford. This is the site of an old Coast Gaurd Station with lots of history and the short hiking trail out on the head makes for some fantastic views of the coastline.

The coastline from Florence north to Yachats is arguably one of the most scenic drives along the coast. There are MANY opportunites to stop and enjoy some really great beaches. Heceta Head, Bob Creek, Strawberry Hill (also home to a large resident population of harbor seals), Neptune, Yachats Ocean Road, and Smelt Sands with access to the historic 804 trail, are some of the better opportunites IMO.

Mapleton is a VERY small town (more of a wide spot in the road), so if the timing works, I suggest you lunch in Florence. There are several good restaurants down on Bay Street (The Waterfront Depot; The Bridgewater; The Firehouse; Travelers Cove) as well as the Seafood Station on Hwy 101 and Three River%26#39;s Casino a mile east of town.

I%26#39;m not certain if you have chosen a route to get from Mapleton to Roeseburg, but I recommend taking hwy 126 to Veneta, then turning right on Territorial hwy and following it out though the southern valley wine country. It%26#39;s a beautiful drive and ultimately will but you out on hwy 38 near Yoncalla and Drain, VERY close to I-5. From here you can either take hwy 38 back to Elkton, then hwy 138 to Sutherlin, or just jog over to I-5 and head south. Hwy 138 is a BEAUTIFUL drive; one of my favorite drives in Oregon.

Gold Beach to Yachats

Okay, you%26#39;re going north to south, so you can take the old road from just north of Bandon out to Charleston, then it%26#39;s just a short distance farther west to Shore Acres.

So, from Bandon, go across the bridge. Just a short bit farther on you%26#39;ll see a sign that says something like: scenic route / Charleston / ocean beaches. It%26#39;s blue and white. You%26#39;ll turn off to the east (right) and then you%26#39;ll be on the old road.

Within a few miles, you%26#39;ll come up a hill and will cross over new 101, and be heading westbound. That will take you to Seven Devils Road. Just follow signs to Charleston.

Once you get in Charleston, turn west (left) and drive the few miles out to Shore Acreas/ Sunset Bay.

When you return, you%26#39;ll end up on Hwy 101 near the boardwalk (spend a few minutes looking at the old tug if you%26#39;d like), then continue northbound.

Stop for a few minutes at the new Veteran%26#39;s Memorial on the north side of the bay. Very nice.

Farther on, you%26#39;ll pass Lakeside (not much there). As you come up the hill just south of Winchester Bay, stop at the lookout at the top. It%26#39;s a nice view of the bay and the Triangle oyster farm. If you want to see huge dunes from the comfort of your car, drive on out on the road that goes west from Winchester Bay, about 4-5 miles. It%26#39;s all paved. When you get to the end, you%26#39;ll turn around and get a great look at the big dunes. Lots of OHV%26#39;s/ATV%26#39;s around!

Between Florence and Eugene, you might like to stop off at a covered bridge:

oregon.com/covered_bridges/bridges/austa.cfm

Stagecoach Road is a fun road to follow if you have time.

Be aware that a good portion of Seven Devils Rd is unpaved and narrow. Kinda like a logging road, which it is.

Uh, no. We recently drove it.

It%26#39;s all paved, with plenty of width for our dually pickup.

It%26#39;s old Hwy 101 that goes to Charleston, not the road that goes out to a wayside. There are signs that send you to Charleston.

Seven Devils Rd IS the road you take just north of Bandon that goes to Seven Devils Wayside. It turns to gravel a mile or so north of the wayside. The road you are refering to half-Brit takes off of hwy 101 several miles north and joins Seven Devils Rd just as the gravel portion ends.