Bandon’s Coquille River Lighthouse

Bandon’s Coquille River Lighthouse The first time I visited Bandon, I saw the Coquille River Lighthouse from the boardwalk in Old Town Bandon and wanted to see it up close. We only had a short time before we had to leave, so we drove in the general direction of the lighthouse, and drove around enough […]

Hiking at New River

Hiking at New River There are a number of excellent places to hike around Bandon, but hiking at New River is at the top of the favorites list. The New River runs from Floras Lake in Langlois and parallels the Pacific to where it flows into the ocean 9 miles north. It was formed fewer […]

Blueberry Picking in Bandon

Blueberry Picking in Bandon It’s summertime, and that means fresh blueberries on the South Coast of Oregon! There are plenty of convenient places to buy these beauties, but there’s nothing like going out into the rows yourself with a bucket and a hat and coming out with gallons of deliciousness. Fortunately, blueberry picking in Bandon […]

30 Things to do in Bandon this Summer

30 Things to do in Bandon this Summer It’s summer! The kids are out of school, the sky is blue, and the days are long. Many folks take vacation time in the summer and are drawn to the ocean from 90 degree weather along the I-5 corridor, from the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, […]

Retiring in Bandon

Retiring in Bandon Retirement opens up a wide variety of options that may not have previously been available. No longer are people tied to a particular town or even a specific state for employment, and as their kids are increasingly settled and independent, retirees are freer to live where they want to live, not where […]

A Visit to Bandon’s South Slough Reserve

A Visit to Bandon’s South Slough Reserve Just 18 miles from Bandon is one of the most beautiful spots on the South Coast. The South Slough National Estuarian Reserve stretches north, roughly paralleling Seven Devils Road, to the ocean and encompasses 5,000 acres of open water channels, tidal and freshwater wetlands, riparian areas, and forested […]

Bandon Public Library

Bandon Public Library Located just a quarter mile from Bandon’s beautiful coastline and within the Bandon City Park is the surprisingly busy Bandon Public Library. The fact that this little library is busy is actually no surprise when you discover the wide selection of books, magazines and movies, the availability of computers and special rooms, […]

Bandon’s Cranberry Farms: Mining for “Red Gold”

Bandon’s Cranberry Farms: Mining for “Red Gold” As we drive past Bandon’s many cranberry bogs, our curiosity is piqued. How do cranberries grow? How does the cranberry harvest work? What is the history of cranberry farming in Bandon? Cranberry farming has a long and rich history here in Bandon. Charles Dexter McFarlin came west from […]

Hiking at Port Orford Heads State Park

No trip to or through Port Orford would be complete without spending some time at Port Orford Heads State Park. This is a great stop for history buffs, hikers, picnic-seekers, and those interested in local museums and is great entertainment for the whole family. In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, there were numerous shipwrecks […]

Why Move to Bandon?

Why Move to Bandon? Many people who choose to move to Bandon come from the dry and/or densely populated areas in California, Arizona, Nevada, and the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Seeking freedom from extreme temperatures, drought, population crush, noise, traffic and an overwhelmingly fast pace of life, many folks wanting a change find what they’re […]