76 VISITTHEOREGONCOAST.COM which is popular for riding ATVs and horses. Look for the shipwreck of the George L. Olson; the steam schooner struck Coos Bay’s north jetty and broke apart in 1944. Just east of Horsfall, the Bluebill Trail circles the 60-acre (24.3-ha) Bluebill Lake; stroll the boardwalks to see hummingbirds, frogs, salamanders, fish and fungi. North Bend is also home to the only winter ice-skating rink on the Coast — open early December to Valentine’s Day — in the downtown business district. For the antique lover, downtown North Bend boasts several shops filled with treasures. Stop in at one of the cafes along Sherman Avenue for a fresh take on farm-to-table dining. Live music and theater performances are a favorite with Irish tunes at Liberty Pub. The Little Theatre on the Bay showcases local talent in a variety of productions every year. North Bend also boasts the only commercial airport on the Oregon Coast, the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (designation: OTH). In Charleston, a segment of the Oregon Coast Trail connects the three state parks in the area, making it possible to hike from park to park. Sunset Bay State Park and Campground offers tent, RV and yurt camping, and is popular with families. The scenic, tree-lined bluffs protecting the shoreline at Sunset Bay make it popular with surfers, and the park lives up to its name as one of the prime locations for watching the sun set. Storm watchers and green thumbs will enjoy Shore Acres State Park, the former estate of pioneer lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson. Stroll among the trees, shrubs and plants that he gathered from around the world, as well as the formal rose and Japanese gardens. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, the grounds sparkle with more than 325,000 holiday lights and illuminated sculptures. From the observation building, watch immense waves crash against the rocks below, and in winter and spring, look for migrating gray whales. Cape Arago State Park is a headland with sea views, a picnic area and cove trails leading to beaches and tide pools. The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is a paddler’s paradise, with 4,800 acres (1,942.5 ha) of tidal and freshwater wetlands to explore, along with an interpretive center and hiking trails. South Coast Tours leads kayaking expeditions here and throughout the Southern Coast. Experience the sights and sounds of the sea at the Charleston Marina Complex, where you can watch commercial and private fishing boats readying for a day at sea; buy fresh tuna and Dungeness crab off the docks; rent equipment to try your hand at fishing, crabbing and clamming; or take a charter out for the day. The Charleston Marine Life Center is an exciting place for discovery. Aquaria highlighting different coastal ecosystems, a tidepool touch tank, whale and sea lion skeletons, and a variety of specimens reveal the hidden and remarkable diversity of life off Oregon, from the coastline to the deep sea. And in Coos Bay, the Coast’s largest city, arts, history and culture abound. Art lovers will enjoy the Coos Art Museum, the only fine-art museum on the Coast. Housed in an art deco building, it features rotating exhibitions of contemporary Northwest art and, in the Prefontaine Memorial Gallery, photos and tributes to hometown hero and track legend Steve Prefontaine. The historic Egyptian Theatre is a fabulously restored 1925 building in the Egyptian-revival style, hosting family-friendly films and live music among towering bronze pharaoh statues, hieroglyphics and animal-headed deities. The annual Oregon Coast Music Festival in July is the longest running on the Coast, welcoming more than 80 musicians from across the country for two weeks of a wide range of performances. The Sawmill & Tribal Trail, which can be accessed at many points in Coos Bay and North Bend, honors paths developed by Coos tribal ancestors, connecting their bayside Glide through crystal-clear waters, explore tide pools, and indulge in local cuisine. Experience the tranquility of lush oldgrowth forests, the serenity of pristine beaches, and discover living history. Journey to the oldest, westernmost town site on the Oregon coast, known for sweeping landscapes, a quirky art scene, and friendly locals. Discover PORT ORFORD www.discoverportorford.org @discoverportorford
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