Summer may be on its way out but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to go to the beach. Especially not the Oregon beach, which is barely ever warm anyway.
But, where to go along Oregon’s long and beautiful coastline? Well, according to a new list from Trips to Discover, you might want to head south. That’s because Bandon in Coos County was recently listed among the website’s “20 Best Beach Towns in America.”
Or, if you want to go a little less south, try the other Oregon destination on the list: Newport.
The list, which includes warm and sunny beach destinations in Florida, California and Hawaii among others, isn’t a ranking so much as a roundup of great beach towns, which means Bandon and Newport are basically listed at the same level as Carmel-by-the-Sea and Haleiwa.
HERE IS OREGON: HereisOregon.com | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok
Why did they pick Bandon?
“The spectacular seaside beauty of Bandon has been drawing visitors since the mid-19th century, some of which decide to never leave,” wrote Trips to Discover of its choice. “This tiny town on the southern coast of Oregon is a quintessential beachside destination with shorebirds, ospreys, geese, and bald eagles hanging out in a pristine salt marsh just east of downtown, while tufted puffins, murres, and cormorants frequent the waters of the ocean just off Coquille Point.”
It’s true, Bandon is a year-round destination for wildlife viewing and cute town visiting. And, it has one of the best golf courses in the world.
If you’re inspired to visit the southern Oregon coast town, now that it is on a national list, here are 20 things to do while you’re there.
As for Newport, wildlife and views are also mentioned, as well as the many fun activities for kids and families.
“It’s home to numerous kid-friendly attractions like the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Hatfield Marine Science Center along the Bayfront,” Trips to Discover wrote. “You can also watch sea lions and spend time on idyllic sandy beaches building sandcastles, flying kites, and all the other usual beach-type activities.”
Heading to Newport? We’ve got 20 fun things to do there, too.
— Lizzy Acker
503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker
Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe