Day Itinerary
8 Activities
Day 1
236 mi
Florence and Reedsport
On day one, explore the many unique geographical attractions on US-101, such as the sea lion caves and Thor's Well. Today provides a nice mix of exploration (short walks and viewpoints) and education (an introduction to aquaculture and local flora and fauna of Florence.) And to top it off, enjoy some of the best seafood in the region for dinner.
08:00
Portland
Depart by 8 o'clock in the morning in order to get an early start on your day. There are lots of adventures ahead!
46.3 mi
1 hr
09:1530 min
Archive Coffee & Bar
Restaurant
Open Details
Stop in Salem to get some coffee and a small bite for later. Archive Coffee & Bar is an industrial chic style space that opens in the morning as a coffee house, and transforms into a cocktail bar at night. Indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeaway options are available. You'll find all the usual offerings here, but make sure to try their specialty, called "The Bee's Knees." It has espresso, cream, honey, rosemary, lavender, black pepper, simple syrup and crushed ice. Floral and delicious! Open every day.
56.9 mi
1 hr 10 min
11:0030 min
Ellmaker State Wayside
Park
Open Details
Break up your driving with a stop at Ellmaker State Park. This is a rest stop, where you can stretch your legs and use the bathroom, and also a tree preserve. Walk around and see the many fruit trees on the south side of this park. There's also a small stream, a grassy meadow and some picnic tables.
53.1 mi
1 hr 10 min
12:4530 min
Thor's Well
Landmark
Open Details
Thor’s Well is worth a quick stop, simply because you won’t find anything quite like it anywhere else on the coast. Also referred to as the “Drainpipe of the Pacific,” the unique geography of this spot makes it look as though the ocean has a giant sinkhole in it, draining the sea away. No hike-in necessary for this stop—you can see the rock formation from the parking lot, if you so choose.
11.7 mi
20 min
13:451 hr
Sea Lion Caves
Landmark
Open Details
The Florence Sea Lion Caves are a privately-owned nature reserve and the largest sea cave in the U.S. This is not a zoo, and the sea lions move about naturally. But when you visit and take an elevator down to the caves, you may see as many as hundreds of sea lions through the looking glass. Tickets are $10 for kids ages 5-12, and $16 for adults. Parking is free.
11.8 mi
20 min
15:1530 min
Siuslaw Interpretive Center
Park
Open Details
As you drive into Florence on US-101, cross the Siuslaw River Bridge. This crossing over the Siuslaw River where it connects with the Pacific Ocean was built in 1936. You can see beautiful water vistas from the bridge, as well as a view into Florence’s historic downtown area. You can pull off the road to visit the interpretive center, which has information about the bridge, native plants and regional history.
26.2 mi
40 min
16:301 hr
Umpqua Triangle Oysters
Restaurants
Open Details
Get a glimpse into the art of aquaculture—farming seafood—with a visit to Umpqua Aquaculture. At their market and processing center, you can watch oysters get shucked in real time, and learn about the farming process. You can even pick up a few oysters to taste; they don’t get any fresher than that. Be aware -- Umpqua Triangle Oysters is closed on Tuesdays.
5.1 mi
10 min
17:451 hr
Harbor Light Restaurant
Restaurant
Open Details
Head down to Reedsport for dinner. The Harbor Light Restaurant has had many names and owners since it opened in 1950, but has been under consistent ownership for the last four decades. This is the best place in Reedsport to find burgers, steaks and seafood. Stay for dessert, likely made with local Oregon berries.
24.8 mi
40 min
19:3013 hrsHotels
The Mill Casino Hotel
8.1
Stay overnight in this three-star hotel right on the water. Enjoy amenities such as an onsite restaurant, bar and casino with 700 slots and game tables. This hotel includes 200 water-facing rooms that are luxuriously decorated and very comfortable.