Gold Beach, OR

Ophir Beach, OR

Where Did We Go on the Oregon Coast? - Our family went to Ophir, OR, which is near Gold Beach, OR on the southern coast.  We visited numerous coastal beaches in southern Oregon and northern California, as well as the small towns of Gold Beach, OR and Port Orford, OR.  We also traveled down to Crescent City, CA and the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

Where Did We Stay on the Oregon Coast? - Our family took advantage of AirBNB and the many wonderful homes for rent within walking distance of the coast.  We stayed in a portion of a home that had two bedrooms and two bathrooms.  We were able to stay three nights for under $350 after tax.  We made sure the rental had a kitchenette so we could cook most of our own meals.  The kids enjoyed that the property had blackberries they could pick.

What Are Some Affordable Family Outings Near Gold Beach, OR? - First, enjoy exploring many of the beaches and local scenery.  Our family enjoyed Ophir Beach and Gold Beach in Oregon, as well as a roadside beach called "Clifford Kamph Memorial Park" in California.  We did see the "Kissing Rock" at Gold Beach, and enjoyed watching hundreds of boats salmon fishing on the mouth of the Rogue River.  We watched the boats from Doyle Point in Gold Beach (see map below):




Redwoods of Northern California - The single most amazing place we drove to during our vacation was the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=413).  Driving in from the south up Hamilton Road was a joy.  Being a Star Wars fan, I felt like I had just left earth and been transported to Endor - ewoks could easily live in this amazing forest.  For the kids, we did the short and incredible Stout Grove trail seeing some of the largest redwoods in the world.  The parking area can get a bit crowded, but this is a totally FREE family adventure!  Some helpful information on this hike can be found HERE.

Stout Grove Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, CA - 1

Stout Grove Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, CA - 2

Stout Grove Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, CA - 3

Ocean World in Crescent City, CA - Our kids REALLY enjoyed Ocean World in Crescent City, CA (https://oceanworldonline.com/).  This was, however, the most expensive outing of our vacation.  Adults are $12.95, Kids (3-11) are $8.95, and Infants (0-2) are free.  By going to the website, there is a 10% off coupon that helped.  That said, it was worth the money.  This small aquarium is very hands-on.  Our kids enjoyed touching anemones and sharks.  They watched seals and saw much marine life up and close.  Getting eaten by a shark also made for fun family pictures.  If it's in the budget, this is a great stop for families with small kids.

Ocean World in Crescent City, CA - 1

Ocean World in Crescent City, CA - 2

Ocean World in Crescent City, CA - 3

Cape Blanco Lighthouse near Port Orford, OR - We also visited the Cape Blanco Lighthouse and climbed the winding staircase to the top (To see information click HERE).  It was a bit overcast when we went, but the views were still incredible.  Also, this is a VERY affordable tour with historical benefits.  We only paid for my wife and I (kids are free) and adults cost $2 a ticket.  That said, the winding spiral staircase up to the lighthouse observation platform is steep, and the gap between each step is rather large.  My wife and I did not feel comfortable letting our two-year-old do the climb, so we took turns, letting our six-year-old and our four-year-old at the time make the climb.  Each parent will decide what their children are capable of, but this may be a bit much for younger kids.  There is no elevator, so the kids must be able to climb the stair.  Also, there is no way to put them in a backpack. 

Cape Blanco Lighthouse near Port Orford, OR

What Should We Bring for an Oregon Coast Vacation? - First, many of the trails are steep, so bring sturdy hiking shoes.  The sand was cool and pleasant.  We visited in September, and the winds off the Pacific can be strong and cold, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon.  However, the temperatures quickly warmed up during the daytime to 70s-80s.  I often made use of a lightweight wind breaker, waterproof jacket such as this one on Amazon for under $25 (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07H86J7GT/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_jO0RDbTGV1HZ2).   I found my jacket at a Goodwill for $4.  Other than clothing, the Oregon Coast is beautiful and having a nice camera or a phone with a good camera is a MUST.  We finally purchased a nice Canon EOS Rebel and have been thoroughly pleased.  For instance, here is an amazing bundle for under $600 with three great lenses: (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07P14FB96/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_5Q0RDbJ2Z9MQF).

I hope you enjoy the Oregon Coast as much as we did.