Bandon - Things To Do & See | Oregon Coast

A small coastal town at the mouth of the Coquille River, Bandon is a popular tourist destination. Despite its small size and population of a bit over 3,000 people, Bandon has a lot to offer.

The charm and style of Old Town, its alluring waterfront, memorable shops, cafes, galleries, and restaurants make Bandon a worthwhile place to visit. The best part is most of the city's attractions are within a walking distance from one another. The area surrounding Bandon can be a separate adventure all on its own. Beach lovers can find plenty of places in or near Bandon to enjoy, from bustling to quiet and serene. Bandon Scenic Beach Loop can take you to several different beaches a few miles away from Old Town.

Aside from the sandy beaches and the picturesque Pacific Ocean views, you can enjoy fishing, crabbing, surfing, and golfing. You can participate in local festivals, visit landmarks such as Coquille River Lighthouse, try local food and drinks, and much more.

The first people living in the area were Coquille Native Americans. The first Europeans started to arrive in 1851 when gold was discovered near Whiskey Run Beach.

In 1873 George Bennet established a settlement named after his hometown of Bandon in Ireland. The city was incorporated in 1891.

In the 20th century, Bandon's economy mostly consisted of the timber industry and fishing. While timber and fishing became far less prevalent over the last four decades, it still is a part of the city's overall economy, along with tourism and agriculture.

Bandon turned into an attractive tourist destination in the first part of the 20th century. It was popular among the residents of the Willamette Valley trying to escape the summer heat and also became a part of the San Francisco-Seattle steamship itinerary attracting thousands of visitors. This prosperity ended in 1936 when the fire destroyed most of the town. Interestingly, the fire was started by gorse weed which was introduced to Bandon from Ireland by its founder in the mid-1800s.

Bandon was rebuilt shortly after the fire and nowadays it is a fantastic destination to enjoy what the Pacific Northwest has to offer from delicious seafood to scenic views and a plethora of outdoor adventures.

Bandon - Top Things to Do & See

Old Town

Old Town is several blocks of shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes sitting between the harbor and hills. A waterfront is an inviting place for a causal walk and it also attracts anglers and crabbers enjoying their pastime right from the city docks. You can also see plenty of commercial and private vessels anchored in the marina.

Masonic Hall

Masonic Hall is one of the few buildings which survived the fire of 1936 and the earlier fire of 1914. You can see a 1914 picture of the hall at the historical museum where it is surrounded by buildings that was vanished many years ago.

Washed Ashore Gallery

Washed Ashore Gallery is a unique exposition of Oregon artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi. She creates sculptures from the items the ocean throws out on the beach. The artist's goal is to raise awareness of the human impact on the ocean through her creations.

Bandon Historical Society Museum

Bandon Historical Society Museum features impressive exhibits about the life of the Coquille people and their ancestors. It also shows the life of European settlers in the area and Bandon's path in history from the very beginning.

Scenic Beach Loop - Bandon Beaches

The 4-mile-long scenic Beach Loop will take you along the coast to the beaches located within Bandon. Each beach is located about 0.25 miles from another and has plentiful parking to stop by, enjoy scenic views, and explore shoreline with numerous sea stacks and rocks.

Bandon State Natural Area is a picturesque wild beach with Devil's Kitchen being a part of it where dark rocks raise straight from the sand. Bandon State Natural Area is a fantastic place for beachcombing, rockhounding, fishing, walking, horseback riding, and bird watching.

Face Rock Viewpoint overlooks legendary Face Rock. The Face Rock is featured in multiple Native American tales. One of them speaks of a maiden's voice you can hear in the wind. Moreover, if you look at the right angle, you will see a human face embedded in the massive rock formation.

Coquille Point is a piece of headland south of the Coquille River. It offers a breathtaking view of a series of small islands surrounded by a vast mass of the ocean.

Bullards Beach State Park

This panoramic state park extends from Coquille River to the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This is one of the best places in town for rockhounding. This area is a location of the Coquille River Lighthouse and has a campsite with over 200 camping spots.

Coquille River Lighthouse

Situated on the north jetty of the Coquille River, the lighthouse came into service in 1896 to safely guide ships into the harbor of Bandon. In 1939 it was decommissioned and despite a history of neglect and vandalism, the lighthouse was restored in 1976 and is now open for visitors.

Coquille River Lighthouse - A Historic Landmark in Bandon

Outdoor Activities

Circles in the Sand is Denny Dyke's elaborate sand labyrinths on the beach. Visitors can walk through those labyrinths and enjoy creatively patterned walkways.

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort consists of six golf courses. The United States Golf Association occasionally organizes amateur tournaments here.

Horseback riding on the long beaches of the Pacific Ocean is a memorable experience. You can also get a guided riding tour at Bandon Beach Riding Stables.

Surfing and Kite Surfing enthusiasts have plenty of options at Bandon. All levels including novice, intermediate, and advanced can find a perfect spot at one of the Bandon beaches.

Fishing and Crabbing are amazing at Bandon. The town sits at the mouth of the Coquille River and this unique position provides opportunities for both river and ocean fishing all in one place.

Summer is salmon, tuna, and ocean bottom fish season for saltwater fishing. You can also catch cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and Chinook salmon during your freshwater outing.

The Pacific halibut season starts in May. Fall and winter are the best seasons for rainbow trout, bass, and winter steelhead runs.

Crabbing is another popular pastime in Bandon Bay. Fall is the best time to harvest Dungeness crab.