Southern Oregon Highlights: Seafood and Coastal Hideaways

As part of our pre-Feast Portland foodie adventure, we toured the highlights of Southern Oregon from the arid agricultural fields and scenic vineyards through the mountains to the coast. Discovering the southern Oregon coast was an eye-opener for this traveler who frequented coastal towns to the north. The southern Oregon coast is a bit wilder and less populated and therein lies one of the reasons you'll put this area on your must-visit list.

Traveling to the Southern Oregon Coast

We were visiting the Oregon Caves and so the best way to get to the coast was to take scenic Hwy 199, which dipped into California and gave us a taste of the magnificent redwoods at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. If we had continued on, we would have ended up in Crescent City, California. Instead, we turned north on Highway 101 to explore the southern Oregon coast.

Brookings for Seafood

We thought it would be cold, windy and rainy at the coast. Instead, as we approached Brookings, it was sunny and rather warm for fall. We saw a sign for the “Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail,” and pulled in to park in front of the Black Trumpet Bistro eager for our first taste of southern Oregon coast cuisine.

Settled into our small private dining room, we sampled local wines and beer and perused the menu. Black Trumpet Bistro is known for regional, fresh and house-made ingredients. It’s a family-owned local gathering place where people go for a pint of Oregon beer or a craft cocktail. I opted for the seared scallops, preceded by some wonderful house-made bread, which went well with the white wine I was sipping. Friends ordered the Caprese salad with fresh local tomatoes and mozzarella cheese to share.

The scallops were fresh and large, served over over champagne risotto with peas and diced pork belly. It was an excellent coastal dish, a huge cut above what I expected for a rural town. It was the first of several surprises in the area.

Exploring the Rugged Oregon Coast

After enjoying a marvelous lunch, we traveled north to Port Orford. We were driving along the coast with viewpoints dotting the road. Oregon legislators gave us all a wonderful gift in 1967. The Oregon Beach Act was a piece of landmark legislation in Oregon establishing public ownership of land along the Oregon Coast from the water up to sixteen vertical feet above the low tide mark. This means that people have access and views are not marred by hotels and developments.

We appreciated the stops along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, a 12-mile, forested, linear park with a rugged, steep coastline dotted with small sandy beaches, some of which you can hike to. As you stop at viewpoints and take short hikes from the trailheads, you have the opportunity to admire the 300-year-old Sitka spruce trees, gaze at the sea through Arch Rock and Natural Bridges. In this area, there are 27 miles of trails weaving through the forests and affording stunning views of the rugged shoreline.

Retreating to WildSpring Guest Habitat in Port Orford

After driving, hiking, and taking way too many photos, we watched the sunset from the hip Red Fish restaurant perched on a hill with a marvelous view of the rocks and ocean. After sunset, we headed for our accommodations.

It was a short drive via a forested, winding road to our getaway in the woods. WildSpring Guest Habitat is indeed a habitat. Picture having your own antique-filled cabin in the woods surrounded by towering fir trees. It was dark and the light of the cabins (and cushy beds) beckoned. There is something about being in the woods that brings peace to the soul. As much as the rugged coast had been exhilarating, the arrival in these quiet woods brought peace, relaxation, and a good sleep.

In the morning, I explored the grounds—the art, the labyrinth, and the ocean views. In the main guest building, which has floor to ceiling view windows, there was a breakfast buffet laid out. I spied a hammock nestled between some trees lighted by sunbeams and thought this place would, indeed, be perfect for a relaxing retreat.

WildSpring is a small, eco-friendly resort on five acres. The cabins are luxurious without being commercial or pretentious. My cabin had a large slate-tiled shower and fluffy white robes. But what I enjoyed most was opening the front door and smelling the dew from the trees and ferns and watching the morning sun filter through the branches. It was too quick of a stay. I decided I must return and enjoy the hot tub overlooking the ocean view and bring a book or two to read while swinging in that hammock.

When You Go to the Southern Oregon Coast

Southern Oregon is the People’s Coast and is ideal for leisurely driving and exploring the small coastal towns. There’s much to see and do on a southern Oregon coast driving trip. Along this stretch of coast, you can hike, bike, play a round of golf, travel up the river on a Jet Boat, go sea kayaking, or sit back and enjoy watching the storms roll in. Be sure to check out more things to do in Oregon, suggested by our Wander writers. Note: The next Feast Portland is scheduled for September 12-15, 2019.

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Note: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary meals, accommodations, and tour for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.