A Weekend in Florence, OR
Florence, OR is the perfect spot for a long weekend away from the city. If you haven't been (or you have, but it's been a while), definitely consider making the trip sometime soon! Check out the rest of the post for a few suggestions on where to go and what to see. Happy Travels!
Drive west from Eugene and after about an hour, you'll find yourself in beautiful Florence, OR. Situated where the mouth of the Siuslaw River meets the Pacific Ocean, Florence is a perfect spot for a weekend getaway full of adventure, sightseeing, and relaxation. Here are some must-see spots in and around Florence:
Cape Perpetua
Nestled in between Yachats and Florence on Highway 101, you will find the stunning Cape Perpetua scenic area. Cape Perpetua features gorgeous hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and rocky coastline. I recommend starting at the visitor's center to get your bearings, learn more about the area, and double check there aren't any closures. From the visitor's center, you have a few options you can either drive or hike to:
Venture up to the Cape Perpetua headland, the highest viewpoint along the Oregon coast, to view the coastline from 800 ft above sea level! After taking in the views of the rocky shoreline and winding Highway 101, follow the trail from the parking lot to get to the historic stone shelter (pictured above). The stone shelter was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933 and was used during WWII. On a clear day, there are spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from this spot.
Head north on Highway 101 to Devils Churn. After parking and visiting the small info center. Follow the Restless Waters Trail to get a view of the powerful churning ocean waters hitting the surrounding rock walls. Devils Churn can be a dangerous area, so be sure to stay on designated trails.
South of the main visitor's center, you will find more jagged, volcanic rocks and crashing waves at Cook's Chasm. Depending on the tide and the weather, Thor's Well draws a lot of attention. Water funnels in and out of the well as the waves roll in. What appears to be a giant, bottomless hole in the rock, is actually only about 20 feet deep! This area can also be dangerous so please keep your distance!
Right next to Thor's Well, you will find Spouting Horn. Again, depending on the tide and the weather, this natural geyser is a fascinating stop. Watch the waves roll in, crash along the side of the chasm, and fuel the spout. As with the other stops along Cape Perpetua, keep your distance and be safe!
Heceta Head Lighthouse
Heceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most popular and most photographed spots on the Oregon Coast. It's easy to see why! Located North of Florence, you will see signs and parking for Heceta Head along Highway 101. From the parking area, follow an easy half-mile trail to visit the grounds and see the Lighthouse for yourself! Depending on the time of year and the weather, Heceta Head is a great spot to see whales, sea lions, and a variety of birds. The trail will bring you to the lighthouse and viewpoint area. Visit this website to learn about guided tours. If you love lighthouses (and this one in particular!), you can book a stay in the historic assistant lighthouse keeper's residence!
Photo by John Webb: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-lighthouse-on-the-mountain-5736585/
Sea Lion Caves
You can't visit Florence without making a stop at the nearby Sea Lion Caves. Where else can you take an elevator 200 feet down into a coastal cliff and peer into a giant cavern full of sea lions? To visit, venture ten miles north of Florence and park in one of the two designated parking lots. Upon arriving, you will need to pay admission (As of 2022- $16 for one adult) and then walk down to the elevator while enjoying views of the Pacific Ocean. The elevator ride is fairly short and ends underground inside a dark cavern. Take a few minutes to explore and look around before making your way to the sea lion viewing platform. Keep in mind, the caves aren't a zoo so it isn't a guarantee the sea lions will be there waiting for you. If they are there, you will hear their barking echoing off the walls. On the opposite end of the cavern, you can also walk up a flight of stairs to a unique rock-walled view of the ocean and Heceta Head light house off in the distance.
Old Town Florence
When you need a break from beach-combing, sightseeing, or hiking, be sure to head to Historic Old Town Florence. Located centrally, right next to the Siuslaw River, Old Town Florence has delicious restaurants, quaint shops, and impressive art galleries for you to explore. You can also walk along the waterfront, keep an eye out for seals in the river, or snap a few photos of the picturesque Siuslaw River Bridge.
Oregon Dunes
Arguably, one of the most unique landscapes near Florence, OR are the sand dunes. The dunes stretch for about 40 miles in between Florence and Coos Bay. I was on a bit of a time crunch and could only drive to a few viewpoints, but it was definitely worth the trip! I hope to go back to Florence soon and spend more time exploring the dunes. In the mean time, if the sand dunes are something you'd like to read more about, check out this helpful Travel Oregon article by Julian Smith!
Photo by Julia Clooten: https://www.pexels.com/photo/oregon-dunes-13048025/
It's hard to go wrong when visiting the Oregon Coast and Florence is no exception. Beautiful beaches, scenic parks, excellent hiking trails, and a vibrant downtown area make Florence a must-see spot any time of year!
