Surrounded by the Pacific shoreline with its beautiful dunes and lovely beaches, Oregon’s Adventure Coast is located between the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on the North and Shore Acres State Park, an impressive botanical garden on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, on the South. The area features a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, clamming, wildlife, bird watching, sea lion and whale watching, tours, cycling, and 4-wheel rides in the dunes. The Port of Coos Bay is an active commercial area.
Here you can hike or camp along one of most scenic areas on the Oregon Coast, eat fresh takes on coastal cuisine and explore miles and miles of sand dunes — some reaching 500 feet high — at the southern entrance to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Or get to know Coos Bay better by visiting the museums that tell its storied past. It’s all up to you. Continuing reading our Coos Bay Travel Guide and start planning your vacation today.
Coos Bay Weather (When to Visit)
Average temperatures in Coos Bay vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Coos Bay, the hottest months are July thru September with highs around 68.8°F and rarely dropping below 53.7°F at night. June thru August is the busiest season for tourism in Coos Bay, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 4 days of precipitation per month.
Best Coos Bay Area Beaches
Seven Devils Recreation Site & Whiskey Run Beach
Seven Devils Wayside is the jumping-off point for sandy beach adventure. At this access point, you can travel several miles up and down the open beach. Agates are often the beach combing goal of visitors to this out-of-the-way spot.
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Sunset Bay State Park
Sunset Bay State Park is situated in one of the most scenic areas on the Oregon coast. Sunset Bay features beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs. Only a short walk from the beach, the campground has sites for tent camping and RV’s, as well as cozy and comfortable yurts. Day-use and picnic facilities are located along the bay to allow easy access for beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and boating as well as a network of hiking trails that connects Sunset Bay with nearby Shore Acres and Cape Arago State Parks.
Cape Arago State Park
Visitors can scan the horizon for migrating whales and other marine mammals, as well as fishing boats and ships entering and leaving nearby Coos Bay. The south cove trail leads down to a sandy beach and superior tide pools where you can visit intertidal plants and animals.
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Shore Acres State Park & Simpson Beach
Shore Acres began as a private estate with luxurious gardens featuring trees, shrubs, and flowering plants brought from around the world aboard the sailing ships of pioneer lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson. The garden features year-round displays of floral and scenic beauty and the annual “Holiday Lights at Shore Acres” from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. A fully enclosed observation building offers spectacular view of rugged seascapes, towering storm waves, and glimpses of migrating whales from December through June.
Cape Arago State Park
South of Coos Bay and off Highway 101, Cape Arago State Park has awesome rocky beaches perfect for hiking, beach combing, wildlife watching, wandering, and exploring. The north side of the cape provides views of Shell Island, a National Wildlife Refuge that is home to seabirds, sea lions and seals. Cape Arago’s South Cove has a nice stretch of sandy beach and a fine selection of tide pools.
Best Coos Bay Tours & Activities by Viator
Viator.com – Tours, sightseeing tours, activities & things to do
Oregon Coast Tour From Portland
Explore Oregon’s rocky northern coastline on this scenic full-day trip from Portland. Travel the picturesque US Hwy 101 through quaint beach towns, stopping in Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park, and Oswald West State Park. Spend a luxurious day enjoying panoramic coastal views, geological wonders, and wind-swept beaches. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Tour From Portland.
Private Wine Tour With Tastings From Eugene
A private tour of Oregon wine country offers a personalized travel and tasting experience. Visit four small-production wineries and learn about the wine-making process—sometimes from the winemakers themselves. Your guide gives you palette notes during each tasting and drives you and your group of up to six people safely between vineyards. Learn more about the Private Wine Tour With Tastings From Eugene.
Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
Explore the stunning beaches and beautiful towns along Oregon’s northern coast on this full-day trip from Portland. Visit the charming towns of Manzanita and Cannon Beach—home of the famous Haystack Rock—browse antique shops and art galleries, and stop several beaches to maximize your time at the Oregon Coast. Learn more abut the Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock Day Trip.
Portland Brewery Bike Tour
Explore beautiful central Portland and sample some of the city’s iconic brews on this afternoon bike tour. Accompany your expert guide on a leisurely bike ride to several classic Portland microbreweries, including Lucky Lab and Rogue, for some fun and informative beer tasting. Learn more about the Portland Brewery Bike Tour.
Portland Segway Tour
Zip through Portland’s historic and developing west-side neighborhoods on this guided Segway tour! Select a 1.5-hour waterfront tour or a 2-hour historical downtown tour, and enjoy quality sightseeing aboard your electric Segway. Visit locations like the Steel Bridge, Pearl District, historic Chinatown and the Portland Art Museum for a window into the city’s industrial and cultural past. Learn more about the Portland Segway Tour.
Best Coos Bay Restaurants
Blue Huron Bistro $11 – 30
For traditional German cuisine and great beer in Coos Bay, then head to Blue Heron Bistro. They have been serving up authentic food since 1976, has a cozy, nostalgic feel and draws a big local crowd. The restaurant has many homemade products and dishes, from its freshly baked German sourdough to its rich gravies, warming potato salad, and comforting desserts. The beer is reason enough to pay a visit, with a wide array of German varieties to choose from. Telephone: 541-267-3933 Web: Blue Huron Bistro
Sharkbites Seafood Cafe $11 – 30
Sharkbites has won awards for serving some of the best seafood along the Oregon Coast. From the bread, fries, sauces, desserts and even the cocktail mixes, all of the food is prepared from scratch using the freshest of ingredients. The fish tacos, Dungeness crab cakes, clam chowder, burgers, and calamari all come highly recommended, as do the Southwestern slaw tacos, which come packed full of beer-battered cod, Monterey Jack cheese and guacamole. Wash it all down with a refreshing bloody mary, Moscow Mule or margarita, and be sure to check out the quirky surf shop before you leave. Telephone: 541-269-7475 Web: Sharkbites Seafood Cafe
The Couch House Restaurant & Lounge $11 – 30
Known for its steaks, ribs and seafood cooked barbecue-style, The Couch Hous has great food and a lively atmosphere. Be sure to try the ribs, bacon-wrapped tuna, or barbecued oysters, along with one of the large salads. The meat is responsibly sourced, cooked fresh on the barbecue, and served perfectly tender and moist. The Couch House also features a relaxing outdoor seating area, which is heated in the winter and in full bloom during the summer months. Telephone: 541-267-5116 Web: The Couch House Restaurant & Lounge
Benetti’s Italian $11 – 30
Family run Benetti’s has unbeatable Italian cuisine with a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Located in a quaint Mediterranean-style villa and featuring a laid-back bar and lounge area, this is the perfect spot to enjoy some great Italian food and service. The dinner menu includes dishes such as seafood pasta, chicken parmigiana, calzones and house-crafted three-cheese ravioli. The Italian minestrone soup, in particular, has received rave reviews. Telephone: 541-267-6066 Web: Benetti’s Italian.
Sumins $11 – 30
Sumin’s is one of the best places in town for sushi, Korean and Chinese food. The sushi is fresh, and prepared with great skill and care. Try the teriyaki chicken, tempura vegetables and egg rolls. Lunch specials are available, or if you’re visiting in the evening, opt for a combination dinner, which consists of four different dishes, served alongside a soup or salad. A small family-run restaurant, with an intimate ambiance and friendly service, you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome. Telephone: 541-267-0119 Web: Sumins
Best Coos Bay Nightlife
Walt’s Pourhouse
They have 16 beers on tap — many from Oregon — a full bar with specialty cocktails, as well as bottled and canned beer. Our full kitchen is constantly adding new items to the menu. Classic bar games like pool and shuffle board — and a large back room — make it perfect for events. Their partially-covered patio is wonderful year round. Telephone: 541-267-5588 Web: Walt’s Pourhouse
7 Devils Brewing Company
A South Coast Experience Walking through our doors should create the same restorative feeling as walking towards the shore. When you drink a pint at the 7 Devils pub, you experience more than the locally made beer, you celebrate the skills of the whole community of local craftspeople, artists and musicians who built it. Telephone 541-808-3738 Web: 7 Devils Brewing Company
Captain’s Cabin
Great place to start a night of drinking (strong & cheap drinks). If you like a quiet hole in the wall it’s prefect for you. The staff is usually good. The food is really good for a bar. Telephone: 541-267-7772 Web: Captain’s Cabin
Gooney’s Sports Bar
They have live music, karaoke, and just good vibes! When there isn’t music or karaoke going they have a jukebox of new and old music! The staff are all nice. Gooney’s offers a Full Bar, Outdoor Patio, 2 (two) Shuffleboard Tables, 2 (two) Pool Tables, Mega-Tough games, Dart Board, 9 TV’s, and Oregon Video Lottery games. Telephone: 541-266-8815 Web: Gooney’s Sports Bar
The Liberty Pub
They pour from 11 taps: 8 craft & imported brews, a nitro handle, a true perry, and one domestic for those who have yet to discover just how wonderful beer can be. Additionally, they have a large antique reach-in bottle cooler with over 20 varieties, including some that they cellared themselves for years… Telephone: 541-756-2550 Web: The Liberty Pub
Amazing post! By reading this article, no one stop himself to spend some days here. Another highly informative article.
Glad you enjoyed Amod, thanks for visiting beach travel destinations!
Hello,
I’ve never been to Oregon but it seems like a dream destination.
It’sso useful to know all these facts about the place!
Thank you for creating such a thorough article!
You are very welcome Aspen. Glad you enjoyed my Coos Bay Travel Guide!
Thank you for sharing this great information about Coos Bay Oregon.
I was in Oregon about 3 years ago, and felt in love with this state. We drove all along the coast from San Francisco all the way to Newport Beach and the views are amazing. We are planning to come back maybe this year or the next one. But definitely visiting the Oregon Coast. September is probably when we are looking to go. Do you know what the temperatures are in September?
The average temperature highs in September is 67 F and the average low is 50 F. It is a great time to visit, and you can also view the amazing whales migrating at that time as well. Thanks for visiting my Coos Bay Travel Guide.
Thank you for this amazing post, I find it really interesting and cool, I have read about the Coos Bay and the area. I really enjoy this kind of vacation with so much beauty. The relaxation and luxuries that comes with it is what I am looking for 🙂 I am also liking the restaurants you have listed and the variety of cuisine. Do you think two weeks is enough time for me and the family to really enjoy the area?
I’m a bit of a foodie and I love the variety in Washington and Oregon, and also all the seafood choices. I think that two weeks is a great amount of time for you and the family to have a really amazing vacation in Coos Bay. Please let me know if you have any additional questions.
Coos Bay looks so great. In the near future, I will be traveling to Oregon. I am researching and planning right now. I just feel Oregon has many wonders of nature in another level and I will have a great experience. Coos Bay is of immense attraction to me. You have me excited to plan!
No doubt you will enjoy yourself in Coos Bay Oregon and you are right, the nature experience there is awe inspiring for sure. Please let me know if there is anything you need to get your trip planned.
Hi Leahrae – this was a great post on Coos Bay. I was there once before, several years ago. Reading this brought me right back there. It is a beautiful place with lots to see and do. I did do the jetboat tour and wouldn’t definitely recommend it. It was a blast.
Thanks for all the information on where to eat and stay. Would come in handy if/when I make my way back there.
Thanks,
Michele
You are welcome Michele, I am glad I brought back some good memories for you and that you enjoyed my Coos Bay Travel Guide. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
Good afternoon Leahrae,
Coos Bay looks absolutely stunning and I love the video you included in your post. Those little islands out in the sea look interesting but one will need a calm day to be able to reach them.
The Oregon State Park definitely appeals to me. I love nature and also special gardens like the Japanese style garden or gardens full of roses which you mentioned.
I would also like to visit the National Wildlife Refuge on Shell island but perhaps humans are not allowed there as to not disturb the animals.
Going to new places I am very keen to try the local food so your restaurant list comes very handy. As a place to stay, I probably would choose the Old Tower house as older places have more charm. Thank you for this nice post.
Regards, Taetske
Thank you for reading my Coos Bay Travel Guide Taetske and I am glad you enjoyed. Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information.
Nice content! I love the way the ads are displayed, I enjoyed reading about the beaches and actually, since I am from Costa Rica, I know some cool beaches and amazing beaches, and Coos Bay is definitely a different type of beach scenery worth vacationing too. I’m adding the Oregon Coast to my bucket list!
You do live in a beautiful country Maria! And you are right, visiting Oregon in the U.S. would be a great unique experience for you! Thanks for visiting my Coos Bay Travel Guide. Please let me know if you need any additional information.
This for sure is very beautiful place to visit the video is leaving you wanting more of that beautiful and the Adventures looks endless in those waters. I am wondering if I will be able to see some marine life like dolphins and seals here? I have been looking into traveling to the west coast of the US. This looks like a great place, and you have provided me with all the information I need.
Hi Charles, yes in Coos Bay you can most definitely see some marine life. I would take a boat tour out and that will of course increase your chances. Thanks for visiting my Coos Bay Travel Guide.
I have heard of Coos Bay on a few occasions from a couple of my surfing partners – apparently it was one of their many destinations several years ago.
It’s really nice to put a picture/landscape to what they described – it really does look like a lovely part of the world. Do you know off hand if there are any surfing package deals offered in the area?
Hi Chris and thank you for your visit to my Coos Bay Travel Guide. It is a beautiful part of the world for sure. You know, the area is great for surfing, and I am sure there are surfing tour operators there, but I could not find any to list on the Coos Bay Travel Guide. I will dig deeper and let you know 🙂
Cos bay is a good destination for an adventurous holiday period its shore line wiyh beautiful beaches make it the perfect spot for a summertime vacation. As highlighted in your review I like the fact that there are lots of side attraction at the destination, lots of site to visit, there are never boring moments with such around.Also the lodging and accommodation options are also cool for different categories on their budget.
I agree! Not a boring beach destination at all. There so much to do and take in here in Coos Bay, you won’t get bored and you could stay busy the entire vacation 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Another great travel guide post on Coos Bay. Unfortunately, I never made my way to this beach but I have heard some pretty amazing stories about it. Like certain times of the year you can catch perfect surfing waves, and other times you get thrown around like a crazy storm in the water. But it’s one of the most beautiful spots to visit according to my surfing buddies and one of their favorite spots to do ocean photography.
I would agree with you! My aunt and uncle live there, and it is one of the most beautiful spots. You will have to visit some day soon! Thanks for visiting my Coos Bay Travel Guide.
Oregon is on my list of states-I’ve-yet-to-visit and has been for some time. For some reason, when I think of Oregon, I think of trees. This other side of the state, around Coos Bay, gives me food for thought. How far is it from Portland or another airport with scheduled service?
You are going to want to fly into Southwest Regional Airport which is the closest to Coos Bay (4 miles). The Portland airport is 173 miles away. Maybe a scenic drive ? Thanks for visiting my Coos Bay Travel Guide.
I will say you left me jaw-dropped after I read the whole post. This is my first time see or hearing about the Coos bay and I am impressed by the description you wrote, most especially the amazing pictures you included, the description was nice. But what’s your view on having a honeymoon at Coos bay. Will it be nice for family vacations too?
Thanks for this great travel guide. Have a nice day
Oh my gosh, it would be a wonderful destination for a honeymoon. How great would it be to start your lives together in such an awe inspiring location. It is a safe place and free of the crime you see in other gorgeous destinations, making it a very family friendly destination. And it is pretty affordable too. Please let me know if you need any additional information.