From Florence to Coos Bay, the Oregon Dunes NRA extends for 40 miles along the Oregon Coast. Formed by the ancient forces of wind, water and time, these dunes are like no others in the world. These are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America and they hold numerous opportunities for adventure and solitude.
There are many opportunities to touch, see and learn about sea life in Newport. From the Oregon Coast Aquarium to the Hatfield Science Center to the Undersea Gardens, there are several options to see wildlife up close and personal.
While not as educational – or as hands on – as either the Oregon Coast Aquarium or the Hatfield Marine Science Center, the Undersea Gardens are a nice departure if you find yourself on the historic bay front.
Two year old Violet Johnson stood and stared in amazement.
Sure, she had seen elephants in her books at home, but had never seen the real thing.
Until today.
"Elephant," Violet whispered and looked up at her mother.
At that moment the elephant, "Tusko" reached down with his trunk and threw dirt on his back creating a big dust cloud.
"Elephant dirty!" Violet yelled, giggling.
Memories like these are things that you create when visiting the Oregon Zoo.
The Out N' About Treehouse's located near Cave Junction, offer more than a step up from traditional camping with their four star Treesort lodging as well as onsite activities such as horseback riding, zip line rides, art classes and full service spa.
As a local Portlander, I have always wondered about the butte that sits along Interstate 205 in Northeast Portland called Rocky Butte.
So I took a drive to the top of one of Portland’s highest east-side points and was amazed at what I found.
After a day of rafting, hiking, wine tasting or Shakespeare, sometimes the best way to blow off some steam is killing aliens.
Or passing your wife on the inside going into turn three, ala Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Maybe even go for a Jack Nicklaus par on a miniature golf course.
The Rogue Valley Fun Center, located right off Interstate 5 in Central Point near Medford is a great place to just have unadulterated fun.
“You can spend a hour here or up to a half a day here depending on what you want to do,” said manager Matt Chubb. “There really is a lot to do here.”
Rusk Ranch Nature Center is a nonprofit organization in Cave Junction, Oregon with a mission to promote the wellbeing of the residents of our community and conserve nature.
When you think of the beach, and board sports, surfing or boogie boarding are the first things that come to mind – but that’s not the case at the Oregon coast.
Known worldwide for the amazing dunes, the area around Florence, Oregon has some of the best landscape for sand boarding – that’s right, surfing on the sand.
Many of the shops in the area around the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offer sand boarding rentals, but there is one shop in Florence that not only offers boards, but lessons, accessories and their own private dune park.
Just four hours from Portland, the Sea Lion Caves features the largest sea cave in the world and an opportunity to see not only sea lions, but scores of other wildlife in their natural habitat.
What to Bring: The temperature inside the cave is the same as it is if you would be walking on the beach. In the winter, prepare for the colder temperatures. You will also need comfortable shoes as you will have to walk around in the cave for your best viewing angle.
