Redfish 74 VISITTHEOREGONCOAST.COM the center, the newly renovated Rainbow Plaza Boat Launch — 9 river miles (14.5 km) from the mouth of the Umpqua River — is a great spot for picnics and water play. Paddlers can explore the Umpqua River and the Smith River right from town by using the new Bumblebee Dock Kayak Launch. Find views of the Umpqua River Bridge and Umpqua Railroad Bridge as well as public restrooms, parking for boat trailers, and stations for fish cleaning and boat washing. Venture 8 miles (12.9 km) inland to Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, home to a large herd of Roosevelt elk. Morning and dusk are the best times to visit as the elk roam freely on the preserve. A viewing platform has telescopes and interpretive panels. Continue inland to Loon Lake, a picturesque spot for swimming, fishing, waterskiing and camping. A short trail leads from the beach area through a forest of Douglas fir to a picturesque waterfall. WINCHESTER BAY Sport and commercial fishing keep Winchester Bay bustling seven days a week, and few anglers leave Salmon Harbor empty-handed. Find direct access to the river at Salmon Harbor Marina, where you can also camp, fuel up your boat and find a staffed information hub for local resources. Winchester Bay is one of the most popular crabbing spots on the Coast. For an authentic and truly memorable Oregon experience, rent a crab trap and spend an afternoon crabbing off the docks. You’ll find both Dungeness and red rock crab here. The Umpqua Lighthouse is nestled in the dunes where the Umpqua River meets the Pacific. Distinguished by its unique red and white flash, the circa-1894 lighthouse overlooks the river and bay from an elevation of 165 feet (50.3 m). It’s a great spot for watching whales or winter storms. Tours are offered year-round. A former Coast Guard building houses the lighthouse visitor center and museum. The adjacent Lake Marie, nestled among the dunes, is a nice spot for a swim or a 1-mile (1.6-km) walk around the shore. Across the street from the lighthouse, the Umpqua River Whale Watching Station has platforms, binoculars and volunteers during the official Whale Watch weeks (the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day and during the last week in March). LAKESIDE Situated on the edge of Tenmile Lake, the second-largest lake on the Oregon Coast, Lakeside is a haven for boating, fishing, hiking, camping and sand-dune adventures. Catch a haul of tasty yellow perch from the docks, or take part in a bass tournament. Revel in the festivities at the annual Fourth of July fireworks show over the lake. Nearby William M. Tugman State Park is relatively unknown, making it an outdoor getaway with less crowds. The park is home to Eel Lake, which is great for swimming, bass fishing and — especially with a new kayak launch — paddling. Kayakers can also launch from the Tenmile Lake County Public Dock and explore the impressive lake’s many arms, bays and offshoots. Stay in town at the Seadrift Motel or Lakeshore Lodge, or pitch a tent at Osprey Point, Eel Creek Campground, North Lake Resort or Tenmile Lake County Park. You can spend a day visiting John Dellenback Dunes and sleep near the Spinreel Dunes at Spinreel Campground. COOS BAY / NORTH BEND / CHARLESTON A trio of scenic towns, arts and culture, three state parks, and plenty of outdoor recreation comprise what’s affectionately nicknamed Oregon’s Adventure Coast. The area includes the largest harbor and only international port on the West Coast between San Francisco and Seattle. In North Bend, Horsfall Beach offers miles of open sand and is the southernmost point of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, WILD RIVERS COAST FOOD TRAIL The Southern Coast offers great seafood, but try the region’s other specialties. Stop into Peters’ Cranberries' farm stand near Cape Blanco for fresh, sustainably grown cranberries, as well as jams and berry vinegar. You can also sip cranberry rum at Stillwagon Distillery and cranberry cider at Bandon Rain. You may find local blueberries or beautiful cheeses for your beach picnic at Bandon Farmers & Artisan Market at The Warehouse or Coos Head Food Co-op in Coos Bay. A loaf of sourdough or hand-laminated pastries from Leavened Bakery in Gold Beach will hit the spot on a road trip. It’s not a trip to the Coast without seafood, and you can buy yours straight from the hands that caught it at local seafood markets in Coos Bay, Charleston, Bandon, Brookings-Harbor, Port Orford and Gold Beach. To taste the region through its ingredients in the hands of its chefs, try the pan-seared scallops at Port Orford’s Redfish. Eat your way through the region while earning your way to prizes with the food trail's new passport. Visit WRCFoodTrail.com for more information and to discover more local culinary specialties. COURTESY OF REDFISH
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==