Bandon, Oregon is a picturesque coastal
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Although the population of Bandon, Oregon is not large (around 3,200 people), it offers residents and visitors alike a lot to see and do. A drive along the town's waterfront in an area known as Old Town takes you past peaceful Bandon Harbor. It also provides the opportunity to park and shop at several unique seaside food and craft shops.
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View of the waterfront area and harbor.
Offshore rock formations dot the landscape along the southern coastline.
Continuing on south from the waterfront area on Beach Loop Drive brings you to several scenic ocean viewpoint locations. The offshore rock formations along this shoreline have made Bandon, Oregon famous and are very interesting to look at. Some of them have even been given names such as "Face Rock" and "Elephant Rock". The wide sandy beach along this stretch is perfect for beachcombing and includes lots of driftwood piled high plus several tidepools. It is a great place to take beach pictures with your camera - especially with the many large offshore rock monoliths all around.
Piles of driftwood are found along the shore at Bullards Beach State Park.
The large rock in the foreground looks like the profile of a sleeping dog to me - what do you think? The rock formation beyond it is called Face Rock because it looks like a woman's head tilted back.
Just north of town on the other side of the Coquille River lies Bullards Beach State Park. From this beach, you can access and visit the Coquille River Lighthouse (built in 1896). It is one of eight lighthouses on the Oregon coast and was the last one built.
A view of the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, Oregon.
If you are an avid golfer, chances are you have already heard of Bandon, Oregon. The Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is considered to be one of the best golf resorts in the world. It is located just north of town and features three outstanding golf courses (with a fourth one due for completion in 2010).
The Coquille River as seen from Bullards Beach State Park.
Another item which Bandon, Oregon is famous for is it's production of cranberries. 5% of the national crop of cranberries is produced here in Bandon. There is an annual cranberry festival held each year on the first weekend in September. This year (2008) will be the 62nd festival. In January and February, storm watching is a popular activity along the Bandon shoreline with massive waves pounding the rocks and jetty.
Just a short drive from Bandon (or Coos Bay) is this pictured waterfall known as Silver Falls. There is also another "Silver Falls" in Oregon which is located near Salem.
Click here to see more Oregon waterfalls.
As you leave Bandon heading north on Highway 101, a turn onto Seven Devils Road eventually brings you to Cape Arago Highway. Turn left here and visit Shore Acres State Park. It is located alongside some spectacular sandstone ocean cliffs. Watching the waves crash against these cliffs can be a real treat - especially if you get there at high tide. The park itself has a large beautiful garden - the perfect place to capture some beautiful flower garden pictures. If you continue past Shore Acres a short ways, you will come to Cape Arago State Park, where another Oregon lighthouse is located.
Beautiful sandstone cliffs are exposed at low tide along the shoreline of Shore Acres State Park. At high tide, waves will crash against these cliffs making for spectacular ocean photographs.
A beautiful flower garden frames an old house at Shore Acres State Park. At Christmas, the grounds of the park are lit up at night with multi-colored lights.
This is the beach at Shore Acres State Park seen at low tide.
Although it may be small in terms of population, the Bandon, Oregon area can provide you with several days worth of fun and exploration. It is just one of many gems found along the Oregon coast. I will close this page with three different flower pictures taken at Shore Acres State Park.
Beautiful large Dahlia - one of many found in the garden area.
There is a colorful variety of Dahlia flowers found at the park.
This type of flower is called a Cosmos.
Please visit more of my Oregon pages:
Oregon coast photographs
Pictures of majestic Mount Hood
Oregon main page
Pictures of Portland, Oregon
Oregon lighthouse photographs
Pictures of Oregon waterfalls
Also, check out my page about Seattle:
Seattle skyline photographs
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