Visitor Information about North Bend, Oregon on Oregon's southern coast.

The Byway goes a little inland as it crosses over Coos Bay. Coos Bay is a large bay measuring 13.5 miles north to south and 8.3 miles from its opening into the Pacific Ocean to its most eastern point.

Coos Bay is physically large but does not appear as large as it is because it is made up of several bays and sloughs. If you study a map you will see that North Bend and the City of Coos Bay are actually on a peninsula that juts into Coos Bay from the south.

When you enter the City of North Bend from the north on US-101 you enter the peninsula over the beautiful

McCullough Bridge, shown in the photo. The height of the center span allows ocean going ships to pass under the bridge.

From first settlement Coos Bay has been known for its sea traffic. Coos Bay is the largest natural harbor ocean shipping center between Seattle and San Francisco.

The south end of the 40 mile long Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area ends on the north end of Coos Bay.

The City of North Bend was incorporated in 1903 and has a population of nearly 10,000. North Bend’s original economy, over 100 years ago, revolved around the port, fishing industry, logging, and lumber mills.

The McCullough Bridge

Bridges are a big part of the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

The Cities of Charleston, Coos Bay, and North Bend are known as Oregon’s Bay Area. Combined they are the largest population area on the Oregon Coast.

Recreation

There are a plethora of recreational opportunities in the area from the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area to the north, the ocean beaches to the west, boating on the bay and in the ocean, and sport fishing in your own boat or on one of the many charters available.

Cape Arago can be reached on the Cape Arago Highway that heads west from the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway through Charleston. On this loop you will find the quaint fishing village of Charleston with its port facilities then further west. This unincorporated community, near the harbor’s entrance to the Pacific Ocean, is the center of commercial and sport fishing in the area.

West of Charleston, near the Harbor Opening, you will find Bastendorff Beach County Park with its beach and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, especially at sunset. Further on are Sunset Bay and Shore Acres State Parks. For more information on the parks see “Recommended State Parks” below.

Recommended Attractions in North Bend, Oregon

Antiques
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Gift Shops
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State Parks
Sunset Bay State Park 89814 Cape Arago Highway Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-888-4902 Visit the Park's web site. This oceanfront park on the Cape Arago Hwy., west of Charleston has 29 full hookup RV sites, 35 electrical only sites, and 66 tent sites. The park also has 8 yurts. There is a beautiful beach bounded by high cliffs and a picnic area.	Shore Acres State Park 13 miles SW of North Bend on the Cape Arago Highway Visit the Park's website. This park was originally the summer home, on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, of the timber baron and entrepreneur Louis J. Simpson. In 1921 the home burned, the depression cancelled the building of its replacement, and the grounds fell in disrepair. In 1942 Organ State Parks purchased the property and restored the beautiful gardens.
Museums	County Park
Coos Bay Historical Society Museum 1220 Sherman Avenue North Bend, Or 97459 541-756-6320 http://www.cooshistory.org/ You will find the Museum just off US-101 in North Bend. First organized in 1891 it is one of the oldest continuously operating local historical societies in Oregon. The museum has a theme exhibit of “Tidewater Highways.” There is a small fee.	Bastendorff Beach County Park 89197 Bastendorff Beach Road Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-888-5353 Visit the Park's web site. This park, 2 mi. west of Charleston, near the entrance to Coos Bay has 56 water & electrical RV sites and 35 tent sites. They also have camping cabins. There is a good ocean swimming beach in the park.
Visitor Information
Bay Area Chamber of Commerce 145 Central Avenue Coos Bay, OR 97420 541-266-0868 http://www.oregonsbayareachamber.com/	Coos Bay Visitor Information Center