Summertime means beach trips for Portlanders; it always has. But if you are tired of going to the same old destination, then try someplace new!

Get your blood pumping and your heart pounding as you explore Oregon’s Adventure Coast in Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston. Just a short four-hour drive south of Portland, your invigorating vacation awaits.

Dust off those hiking boots, mountain or fat tire bikes, beachwear, and all your outdoor gear. The fresh ocean air, rugged coastline, temperate climate, and oodles of things to do on Oregon’s Adventure Coast, provide the perfect cure for whatever ails you.

The opportunities are vast, and there is something for everyone.

Here are five great reasons why you should make your next beach trip to Oregon’s Adventure Coast. These are just some of the fresh and exciting activities for those really looking to break into summer, hard. 

RIDE THE OREGON DUNES

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America and is like no other in the world. Extending for 40 miles along the coast and towering more than 500 feet above sea level, pulse-pounding adventure hides over and around every new dune on Oregon’s Adventure Coast!

Zipping along the stunning ocean beach dunes is a heart-pounding good time. The Sand Dunes are very popular with sports enthusiasts who enjoy taking on the challenge in an ATV or Dune Buggy. Don’t have one? Well, don’t be discouraged, there are plenty of places to rent them. 

MAKE SOME TRACKS! 

Mountain biking here can’t be beat! The Whiskey Run Mountain Bike Trails are a one-of-a-kind trail system between Coos Bay and Bandon. With 30 miles of trails, Whiskey Run is a blend of flow and cross-country styles and was developed for all levels of riders with open sightlines, easy climbs, and exhilarating descents. And if you want, you can even catch some air. But the best part is that they wind and dip through mists of the coastal forest, and end right at the Pacific Ocean. What could be better than that?

VISIT SHORE ACRES STATE PARK

Thousands of visitors come to Shore Acres State Park each year to take in the sweeping vistas atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. While there, bask in the luxurious gardens. This Summer, feel as though you have been dropped into a Manet painting, with beautiful rhododendrons, azaleas, and 5,000 other flowering annuals and perennials (May through September).

One of the best hikes on the south coast takes you across the ocean cliffs through coastal forests between Shore Acres and Sunset Bay State Park. Stop along the way to capture a great photo of the Cape Arago Lighthouse.

CHARLESTON MARINE LIFE CENTER

The Charleston Marine Life Center emphasizes hands-on, interactive opportunities for discovery. Find highlights of the remarkable but often hidden diversity of ocean life from the coast to the deep sea. The center provides a rich experience for all ages and levels of interest, from young explorers to seasoned ocean enthusiasts. You can even adopt a fossil bone in your name!

GO HOME WITH SAND IN YOUR SHOES

Whether you want to swim, walk, surf, paddleboard, or just sit and watch the tide; Oregon’s Adventure Coast is wonderfully versatile! Those bits of sand left from your beach adventure will be little reminders of what a great time you had and remind you it was real. Check out our many undeveloped beaches and choose your own experience!

OregonsAdventureCoast.com features more about these and a myriad of other adventures. Download a free travel guide, and find fishing spots, outfitters, lodging, and dining options, before you visit Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston in person this summer!