A clear sky and brilliant sunshine adds up to a March surprise on a recent weekend along the Oregon coast where you can really get away from it all simply with a paddle and a spirit of adventure. It was a perfect time to dive into new adventure on the quiet side of coastal life with Paul Peterson and Marc Hinz of Kayak Tillamook.

Our small troop of paddlers prepped for a trip on Netarts Bay, a small Tillamook County estuary that may suit you just fine. At 2700 acres, Netarts Bay is relatively small in size with no major rivers, but several small creeks that feed into it.

Before we got our boat bottoms wet, our guide demonstrated the forward paddle stroke during our land based prep session: “So in it goes,” said Peterson, who reached forward with the paddle, “and then it’s a push-pull move inside that imaginary strike zone of baseball.”  Once the half hour shore based session wrapped up, we dropped in at near-ebb tide at the Netarts Bay public marina to enjoy a winter’s day that was too nice to believe.

“Netarts Bay is one of the most pristine bays on the Oregon,” added Hinz. It is shallow throughout, no more than 15-feet deep and the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom. You can see Dungeness crabs crawling across the bottom of the bay, so visibility makes this a nice waterway to paddle and it is a very popular clamming destination too.”

Kayak Tillamook’s tours reach across six Tillamook County estuaries for a total of 80 miles on bays, rivers, sloughs and backwater areas. “That’s about 800 square miles of flat water paddling opportunities,” noted Hinz. “Most of which are tidal influenced – but we also have lakes – freshwater lakes and intimate little sloughs that wander up into coastal forests – there’s a lot for us to see and do in a kayak.”

Finally, don’t forget that Cape Lookout State Park is located just few miles from the bay and offers 225 sites including rental cabins, 13 yurts and endless miles and solitude.

Editor’s Note: Grant’s Getaways is a production of Travel Oregon brought to you in association with Oregon State Parks, Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Oregon State Marine Board. Episodes air Fridays and Saturdays on KGW Newschannel 8 and Saturdays on Northwest Cable News Network.

Before you head out on your very own kayak adventure in Tillamook Bay, don’t forget your PFD (Personal Flotation Device) and be sure to check out the new Nehalem Estuary Water Trail Map, a hands-on guide produced and published by the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership.   Also remember that as of January 1, 2010: resident and nonresident boaters are required to have an Aquatic Invasive Sepcies Permit for paddle craft (drift boats, canoes, kayaks, inflatable pontoon boat, etc.) that are 10 feet long or longer.

She came here, with her suave yet friendly film crew, to take part in the harvest of Oregon shrimp, aboard the F/V Kylie Lynn. Then, she created and prepared recipes at the Local Ocean restaurant on Newport’s Bayfront. In the process, while admiring the chanterelles, she learned about Gray and his longtime devotion to foraged foods.

Lee Gray is a man who has lived in a sea cave, written a foraging cookbook, catered for the stars in Los Angeles and eaten the fringe-y part of a sea anemone – not necessarily in that order (he regrets that last one, by the way. He still has an ulcer). Sporting his trademark ponytail and black beret, Gray has spent nearly three decades learning how to live off the land in Western Oregon, harvesting everything from purple varnish clams to fiddlehead ferns. He’s especially famous for his ability to find wild mushrooms in the Coast Range.

Chef Crawford, the former executive chef at the Four Seasons Manhattan, couldn’t resist. She found the Wild Gourmet, and asked for a mushroom field trip. The resulting segment, including shots of the acrophobic Crawford following the goat-like Gray up steep, mossy hillsides in a huge rainstorm, aired in February and is available online. You can see the episode here.

You don’t have to be a famous chef to hang out with the “WG.” For a workshop fee of $20, Gray will show you how to harvest clams from Siletz Bay; for an extra $30, he’ll meet you at the Lincoln City Cultural Center for a hands-on cooking class. His annual workshop schedule, which began earlier this month, also features weekend courses in Tide Pool Edibles at the NW 15th St. beach access. In the fall, he’ll be mushrooming on Cascade Head.

For details on The Wild Gourmet and his hands-on classes, head to www.wildgourmet.org, or ring him up: 541-992-3798. To see him in action, sucking the meat out of a barnacle, here.

Happy hunting!

Niki Price is the editor and co-owner of Oregon Coast Today, a weekly newspaper covering arts, entertainment and the environment on the central Oregon coast. She roams the shores from Yachats north to Rockaway, covering everything from pelican proliferation to proffered profiteroles, with two underage editorial assistants often in tow. To follow them, and the TODAY, check out their Twitter feed and Facebook fan site.

There’s fun to be had around that state and it’s educational, but don’t worry, we won’t tell.

Peek into the seedy underbelly of the Wild West at the Sin in the Sage Brush exhibit at Central Oregon’s High Desert Museum. Get a firsthand account on how the barkeepers and “working women” of the Old West saloons survived; and see how well you fare amongst the sordid cheaters at the roulette or poker tables. Looking for something a little less seedy? Follow an adventure map to find hidden treasures. Play like a wild animal at the Dig, Craw and Climb exhibit where kids shoot down rock slides, swing from a spider’s web and crawl through an owl’s hole. See resident wildlife such as wild cats, otters, lizards, scorpions and snakes (oh my!), just a few of the creatures you’ll find here. There is no shortage of activities for all at this natural history museum.

March marks the beginning of spring season whale watching (gray whales to be exact), with majority of traffic occurring at the end of the month—just in time for spring break. Head to the Oregon Coast and post-up on a towering coastal bluff for a front-row view of the action. From Ecola State Park to Brookings, there are 28 prime spots to catch the migration. Settle in with a picnic and be sure to bring along extra binoculars; you’ll want to look out for blowing spouts, diving tails or a breaching whale leap from the sea. To get more information about the migration, visit Depoe Bay’s Whale Watching Center.

Even in the city you can get your hands dirty. Just a few miles from downtown Portland and covering over 5,000 acres, Forest Park is unlike any other urban park. The Forest Park Conservancy hosts a number of programs that help to keep the trails and natural habitat of the park enjoyable and healthy; this is a great spot for the budding botanist in the family or anyone who likes to romp in the woods. Pull invasive species like ivy, help plant a tree or explore the habitat on a guided hike.

Discover natural wonders at the Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Their collection includes crystallized minerals, colorful copper, quartz and gypsum and rare gem crystals like emerald, ruby and aquamarine. Before you go, be sure to check out Grant McOmie’s recent trip to the museum.

Make science fun at Ashland’s Science Works Hands-On Museum. This museum is home to state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and currently offers a glimpse into Chinese art, culture, science, and language through the Connect with China exhibit.

For even more Family Friendly Getaways, check out Trips We Love…

My wife and I moved to Bandon Oregon in 2002 after touring the entire coast going to all of the lighthouses. We were amazed at how friendly and welcome everyone made us feel in the town of Bandon, we felt like family.

Along with my love of lighthouses I also love boating, crabbing, fishing and really doing most any outdoor activity. For the past few years I tried my hand at trolling for Chinook salmon but always snagged the bottom or twisted my lines. The salmon really had nothing to fear!

This year all of my asking questions and persistence paid off. I was trolling one foggy morning by myself and was slowly coming around a bend in the river when my rod slammed back. I thought to myself great I snagged the bottom again and lost another set up.

I put my boat into neutral and went back to fuss with my snagged lines. I grabbed my rod and gave it a couple of tugs and then I was able to start reeling in my line without any resistance. Cool! I saved my gear then when my flasher was about ten feet away from my boat it turned around and started rapidly peeling line off my real and then I realized I had caught a salmon.

The salmon ran maybe thirty yards away like it was nothing. I then reeled it back in and to my surprise it jumped a foot or two out of the water. This went on for thirty minutes and then the salmon tired and came alongside of my boat.

With one hand holding the rod I grabbed my net and attempted to net the salmon with my other hand but to my surprise the salmon was to big for my net.

I was able to get the salmon scrunched up a little in the net and I dropped my rod and grabbed the net with both hands and with a mighty tug managed to get the salmon over the side and into the boat.

I measured this huge salmon and it was 46 inches long, almost four feet! I had never caught a fish of any kind this big before. When I got back to dock I weighed it and it was just over 36 pounds.

Dave Schradieck
Owner: Bandon Beach Vacation Properties, LLC

Back in September, we along with the Oregon Coast Visitor’s Association and five other South Coast communities, hosted the first “South Coast Press Trip”

The trip started in Coos Bay-North Bend and ended here in Brookings-Harbor.

It occurred to me that given the chance, most of our visitors would love the trip we provided these writers; I know its an experience that I’m lucky enough to relive on a regular basis so I thought I’d share some of these insider tips for our visitors.

We started the day by meeting at Brandy Peak Distillery and then proceeded to Harris Beach State Park. Strolling along that beach is something I never tire of and I show off every chance I get. The beach combing here is fantastic and the views still take my breath away. When I take that walk with my wife, it reminds me what a lucky man I am.

Next we took our writers to the Driftwood RV Park for a wonderful Salmon BBQ lunch and then on to Azalea Park for a walking tour of the gardens and the Capella by the Sea.

No visit to Brookings-Harbor would be complete without at least a tour of, if not a quick “back nine” at Salmon Run Golf Course.

We then checked our writers into some of our local lodging facilities; The Wild Rivers Motorlodge and The Brookings Inn Resort to freshen up before a mouth watering dinner at O’Holleran’s Steakhouse & Lounge. Not all of Brookings-Harbor’s special sites and scenes can be viewed or enjoyed in a single day, so the next day, our group met for breakfast at the Flying Gull Restaurant and proceeded to a short tour of The Port of Brookings-Harbor and then on to the finale, Flora Pacifica. Being this close to the new Crissey Field Oregon Visitors Center, we had to take the opportunity to show off our beautiful and environmentally responsible new State Welcome Center.

When we sent the writers off, I overheard the same conversation that I hear from visitors on a regular basis… they were already making plans for what they would do on their next trip here. When I think about all the planning and work that I put into organizing this trip, it makes me realize that some of our visitors might agonize over the same details and might like a little “insider” knowledge.

Many people travel from all over the United States to Brookings to enjoy our summer, fall, winter and spring, many of them not half as close as you are. Imagine yourself here in the Brookings-Harbor area and then make it happen. We’re closer than you think.

Les Cohen
CEO, Brookings-Harbor Chamber of Commerce

Salem's Elsinore Theater

Sprinkled throughout the state are historic theaters that illustrate times gone by. Through careful restoration and some local TLC, these establishments have been renovated and refurbished for a second life. Take a drive to one of these iconic Oregon theaters.

The Liberty Theater in downtown Astoria on the Oregon Coast is one of the last standing models of 1920s vaudeville motion picture palaces. Its ornamental structure, distinctive moldings and delicate lighting have been restored and updated for modern use. Get a ticket for one of the classic films they feature weekly.

When the Eltrym Theater in Eastern Oregon’s Baker City opened its doors in the summer of 1940, it received telegrams of well wishes from luminaries like Cary Grant and Bob Hope. Its debut film, “Ghost Breakers,” starred Mr. Hope. Today the Art Deco theater still shows modern films and thanks to two historic renovations, it added two new screens but maintained its mid-century charm.

Designed to resemble the castle in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Elsinore Theater in the Willamette Valley first opened its doors in May of 1926. It hosted Vaudeville Theater, silent films, live stage shows and modern film. In 1980, after years of neglect, a threat to turn the historic landmark into a parking lot motivated residents to save the sacred space and in 2002 the two-year “Return to Grandeur” project renovated the majestic theater to its original splendor. Today the venue hosts classic films, silent movies and live concerts.

The Rogue Theater in Southern Oregon opened its doors in 1938, during the heart of the Great Depression, showing the latest of the silver screen. It endured decades of prosperity and then economic decline, closing its doors in 1999. A year later it was renovated and reopened as a regional non-profit performing arts center. Today its Grants Pass’ most prominent historical building, its Art Deco exterior and glowing neon marquee is a local attraction, hosting international music artists and speakers year-round.

*Image Courtesy of Travel Salem

Take a deep breath and savor this week’s “Grant’s Getaway” along the Three Capes Scenic Drive where you will enjoy three state parks for the price of one 40-mile drive.

The Three Capes Scenic Drive is a road once taken you’ll never want to leave. For when winter takes over, quiet times descend as eagles fly, waterfowl dive and the tide gently rolls on its timeless way.

Once taken, you will return to this route many times because it’s reminiscent of those Sunday backcountry drives that Dad might take his youngsters on. I recall those adventures with great fondness, when my brother, sister, and I would be packed aboard the family’s Ford wagon and we would all unwind as we meandered along a favorite two-lane byway, the kind that snaked along some yet unexplored section of Oregon.

Head west out of Tillamook proper along Bay Ocean Road as it skirts the southern end of Tillamook Bay. Soon you’ll come face to face with the site of Bay Ocean Park, a now-extinct community, a developer’s dream turned homeowner’s nightmare.

Construction of the subdivision began in the early 1900s, and it was coined “the Atlantic City of the West.” It boasted homes, cabins, restaurants, and stores, even a centerpiece hotel with an indoor swimming pool. The trouble was that this sprawling concept was built upon sand–and sand is vulnerable to wind and tides. Mother Nature had other plans for Bay Ocean Park, and between 1932 and 1950 the ocean cut a half-mile swath across the spit and across the townsite. Slowly at first, and then with greater momentum, homes began to slip and slide into the deep blue sea. Today, Bay Ocean Spit is managed by the county as a park, and it’s great fun to stroll its five-mile length, even though all signs of the former community are long gone.

The route continues south and soon you reach Cape Meares State Park, situated on a 700-foot rocky headland named for British sea adventurer John Meares. Meares came this way in 1788 and a lighthouse built in the 1890s marks the spot. A nearby kiosk contains interpretive panels containing other facts about Cape Meares.

You can enjoy more than three miles of hiking trails and a mile-long walking trail that winds through old-growth spruce trees (including the uniquely-shaped Octopus Tree, a giant Sitka spruce with massive branches that radiate out from near the base.) In winter and spring, this park is another excellent location for viewing whale migrations.

Soon, it’s time to head south, skirting Netarts Bay, where clammers and crabbers like to play. Carry a tide table and purchase an Oregon Shellfish License, (both are available at sporting good stores) and time your visit to the bay during an ebb tide. Watch for clam diggers, armed with shovels and buckets, mucking about for bay clams across the tide flats. Join in and you’ll have a fair chance of catching your supper.

Nearby, Cape Lookout’s beauty may thrill you too. It’s a massive headland that juts out more than two miles into the sea. Tucked into the north side of the cape is Cape Lookout State Park with 225 campsites, rental cabins and 13 Yurts. Beachcombing is popular here, and I have heard it’s a fine place to find glass floats on the first high tide following a storm. More than eight miles of hiking and walking trails wind through a lush old-growth forest. Two walking trails–a nature trail and the Jackson Creek Trail–are perfect for a shorter jaunt.

Yurts have been a featured part of Oregon State Parks for pretty close to twenty years and for less than thirty bucks they are pretty tough to beat. Inside, you will find a futon that makes down, a bunk bed, plus a table and chairs. There is indoor lighting and heating and you’re only a stone’s throw away from one of the most fabulous beaches along the northern Oregon coast.

The roadway between Cape Lookout State Park and Cape Kiwanda to the south is unusual for the northern Oregon coast because tall shrubs, beach grass and then sand-dune crests mark it, with many overlooks for ocean spying. In fewer than ten miles from Cape Lookout you’ll arrive at Cape Kiwanda, a sculpted headland eroded by time and tides and weather.

This gleaming sandy shoreline has developed a faithful cadre of year-round sun worshippers and surfers. It is also home to a small but dedicated angling lot, for this cape is one of the few places in the country where you can watch fishermen launch their boats off the beach into the foamy surfline. Many people will also step inside a landmark destination, the Pelican Pub and Brewery – to satisfy both thirst and appetite.

To the south, the narrow, winding roadway at the south end of Pacific City, leads you to Bob Straub State Park where lonesome strollers search for secrets from the tides.

The park is a day-use site (no overnight camping allowed) with miles of open, unspoiled sand that invite you to explore, maybe for sand dollars, maybe glass floats, as you wander toward the mouth of the Nestucca River.

It’s three Oregon State Parks for the price of one drive and if you time your journey well, you can see it all on a brilliant winter’s day where sun beams and silence accompany your getaway across the western shores of Tillamook County.

Editor’s Note: Grant’s Getaways is a production of Travel Oregon brought to you in association with Oregon State Parks, Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Oregon State Marine Board. Episodes air Fridays and Saturdays on KGW Newschannel 8 and Saturdays on Northwest Cable News Network.

Editor’s Note: Adventures on the Southern Oregon Coast is the product of the South Coast Partnership which includes the towns from Brookings to Reedsport and all the wonderful fans in between.

Welcome to beautiful, scenic and historic Port Orford and North Curry County. Port Orford is the oldest town site on the Oregon Coast and most westerly incorporated city in the contiguous United States. Port Orford is a little piece of “Paradise”, loaded with culture, vistas, trails, rivers, creeks, galleries, eateries and history. Every where you turn, you’ll find something unique and one of a kind here in Port Orford. I can assure you that if you stay long enough, you may want to stay forever.

Starting 13 miles to the north, is the little town of Langlois, home to schools, galleries, ranchers, artist, foresters, fishing and the best world class wind surfing on the Oregon Coast. Tucked under Langlois Mountain, Langlois is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting with Flores Creek flowing next to ranchers herding their sheep. Floras Lake, located just south west of Langlois is home to the world class wind surfing. Langlois is truly a delightful stop to any passerby.

The start of America’s Wild River Coast is the town of Sixes, located Five miles north of Port Orford. Sixes River is a hiker’s, camper’s, fishermen’s and explorer’s dream come true. Campgrounds are abundant up and down the river for both tents or RVs. The Historic Hughes House is located at its mouth just shy of five miles down Cape Blanco Rd. Built by Patrick and Jane Hughes, this 1898 home is a step back in time.

Just west of the Hughes House is the Historic Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Built in 1870; the most westerly lighthouse in the contiguous United States, the tallest, oldest and 1st ever operated by a woman still shines today. It’s light beams every 20 seconds and can be seen for nearly 30 miles. Both the Historic Hughes House and the Cape Blanco Lighthouse are true treasures of history. Tours of both are available from April through October, a must for anyone here at the Gateway to America’s Wild River Coast.

The second river at the Gateway to America’s Wild River Coast is the Elk River located 3 miles north of Port Orford. A campers paradise, the Elk Rivers is lined with camping in a state facility or just in your own private spot by the river. It is also known for its Salmon Fishing. The Elk River Fish Hatchery located 8 miles up the river is a national leader in the preservation of the salmon species. Fishermen flock from all over the county to try their luck on the Elk River during the two annual runs.

Port Orford was founded in July of 1851 by Captain William Tichenor and 70 of his men while aboard the steamship Seagull. The oldest town on the Oregon Coast and the gateway to America’s Wild River Coast will be fixed in time by those brave men. Captain Tichenor looked here and had a vision of the possibilities of a community. One of the only natural deep water ports on the west coast brought trade through shipping. An abundance of timber, fisheries and beauty brought work for all who wanted. Today, Port Orford is a cultural treasure. Its diverse galleries, restaurants and one of a kind business’s set in natures paradise offer anyone endless possibilities and opportunities.

The Port Orford Lifeboat Station was built on Coast Guard Hill in 1934. There are hiking trails out to the Port Orford Heads which give you an almost 260 degree view of our coastline. The Historic Museum, and Life Boat Station still sits on top of Coast Guard Hill and is a testament to all the men who served and their incredible courage to save lives and cargo. One of which was the 190 ft steam ship Cottoneva, who on February 10th 1937, ran aground at Battle Rock during 75 mile an hour winds. All 26 seamen and the captain were saved by the Coast Guard. The Historic Museum is open for tours from April until October.

The Port of Port Orford is the only open ocean dock in Oregon. The fishing fleet is hoisted in and out of the water by crane. This procedure is quite a site to see and is available to view year around. As you may imagine, fishing is one of Port Orford’s economic staples. There are quite a variety of fresh fish harvested and shipped all around the world, from Sea Urchins to the Asian buyers to Salmon and Crab to our local buyers. The Port of Port Orford offers chartered fishing as well as fresh fish to the public. A definite “must see” on any travelers list of attractions.

Battle Rock Wayfinding Point at the south end of Port Orford is a vista with breathtaking beauty. Facing almost due south with Humbug Mountain towering in the distance, it is the second most visited wayfinding point on the coast. Battle Rock received its name from the battle that took place between Captain Tichenor and his men against the local Native American tribe. When hiking on the legendary rock, you might come across the graves of some of Tichenors settlers.

Battle Rock Wayfinding Point offers scenic beaches as far as the eye can see. Beach access is not restricted, but we ask that you keep the beach in the clean, pristine condition that the Captain, Native Americans and we have enjoyed for over 150 years. If you desire any information, the volunteers at the Visitors Center located at the Battle Rock Wayfinding Point will be more than happy to assist. There are also many brochures and pictures located inside.

Just south of Port Orford is Humbug Mountain State Park. It has an abundance of
hiking trails and camping. A hike to the top of Humbug Mountain will give you a 360 degree view of the coast and surrounding area as far as the eye can see.

Port Orford is a special place filled with special people. The scenic beauty, clean crisp air, pure untouched landscape, diverse business community and wonderful people make Port Orford an incredible place to live. We hope you enjoy your stay with us here at the Gateway to America’s Wild River Coast, we will see you soon, take your pleasure in Port Orford!

David B. Smith
President
Port Orford/North Curry County Chamber of Commerce

The time is right to travel down treasured trails in Oregon State Parks to discover the romance of waterfalls. While the Columbia River Gorge has long impressed us with its gigantic size, I cherish its nooks and crannies even more – especially where the water flows and famous falls whirl and shimmer and ripple and where you can leave all distractions behind.

At 125 feet, Shepperd’s Dell is small in size as Gorge falls go. It rolls out of Young’s Creek to become a foamy moment that resembles a bowtie turned on its side. The water boils and roils, then slips and slides down forty feet of smooth rock face before it twists and shoots up high to celebrate its freedom and falls into a rocky cradle. George Shepperd opened Shepperd’s Dell to the public in 1915 as a tribute to his wife. What a romantic!

One mile east of Shepperd’s Dell is Bridal Veil Falls State Park, a day-use site for a picnic or a stroll down a half-mile trail to a stairway and viewing platform. The park’s namesake drops in two tiers and it is best enjoyed with someone special. You’ll see why when you stand on the viewing platform and gaze up at the 160-foot waterfall plunging twice in a wide, steep slide.

If time is of the essence and you’re ready to head back toward Portland, travel west on the scenic highway past Shepperd’s Dell Falls a mile and a half to Latourell Falls, where an incredible show speaks for itself. Latourell Falls hisses and bellows and shouts for attention as it falls 249 feet. It’s the second-highest falls in the Gorge and seems to take on a life of its own you can’t help but appreciate. The falls was named for Joseph Latourell, an early settler of the area, and donated to the state of Oregon in 1929 by Guy W. Talbot. A paved trail allows you to hike to the base of this falls and continues across a bridge to a picnic area.

Ninety miles to the west, photographer Don Best likes to say he hasn’t met a waterfall he doesn’t love: “to shoot with a camera.”Best is a lifelong local in Tillamook County – his grandfather arrived by horse and wagon and his father told tales of old growth timber, giant elk and waterfalls galore.

So, Best looks up at Munson Falls, (the tallest waterfall in the Oregon Coast Range), with a nostalgic nod to a somewhat romanticized past and offered us a tip or two that might help you capture the best that falling water offers. Best says there are many waterfalls in the Tillamook State Forest that go unvisited and are under appreciated.
You’ve many spectacular waterfalls to choose from when you visit the 9,000-acre state parkland called Silver Falls State Park. It offers a gorgeous Trail of Ten Falls plus the rustic South Falls Lodge that stands large from rock and timber construction.

Campers can let the romance last longer inside rental cabins that offer many of the comforts of home. (Reservations are advised.) Remember – rain gear and hiking boots will make your hiking adventures more comfortable in winter.

Editor’s Note: Grant’s Getaways is a production of Travel Oregon brought to you in association with Oregon State Parks, Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife and Oregon State Marine Board. Episodes air Fridays and Saturdays on KGW Newschannel 8 and Saturdays on Northwest Cable News Network.

Traveling along Hwy 101 three miles south of Reedsport, Oregon we discovered Winchester Bay and found it to be a vacationer’s paradise, centrally located between a multitude of fun things to do and see. This small fishing village overlooks Salmon Harbor Marina. The town is nestled in the forest at the mouth of the Umpqua River draining into the Pacific Ocean. In Winchester Bay you have direct access to the Umpqua River, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the Pacific Ocean, and miles of white-sand public beaches.

The fishing is excellent; few anglers go home from here empty-handed. Species in the area include Chinook salmon, striped bass, steelhead, sturgeon, pink fin perch, and small mouth bass. Winchester Bay has become known as the Crab Capital of Oregon for the delicious Dungeness crab you can catch right off the docks of the marina, and several different species of clam are just a pail and shovel away.

We found great eateries here serving indigenous foods and wine. You can purchase fresh fish like halibut, King Salmon right off the docks when in season, oysters from the Umpqua aquaculture, considered by many to be the best and we agree. We took a tour of the Umpqua Lighthouse overlooking the tallest dunes on the Oregon Coast all the while thinking Wow! What a perfect place.