The Oregon Coast Driving along Route 101 is nothing short of spectacular. There are endless stops from Astoria to Brookings that you can roam, walk, and even climb to access… The post Why Coos Bay is The Best Oregon Coastal Town appeared first on RVshare.
The Oregon Coast
Driving along Route 101 is nothing short of spectacular. There are endless stops from Astoria to Brookings that you can roam, walk, and even climb to access the many magnificent Oregon beaches. Having traveled the entirety of Route 101, checking off hundreds of must-see spots from our bucket list, we have seen it all. We often use the Mile-By-Mile Guide as a take-along tour guide, one of us reading from it while the other is driving. We never grow tired of seeking out new destinations, but we also find adoring comfort in revisiting our favorite coastal locations.
Coos Bay is at the top of our list of favorites. We first visited in 2018, briefly on our cross-country road trip, and have since been back four times. Each time, we have turned to each other, on at least one occasion, to say “This is our favorite part of the Oregon Coast.” The diverse landscape, small-town atmosphere, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities keep us coming back again and again.
Where to Stay
Sun Outdoors
In April of 2024, we were fortunate to work with Sun Outdoors on a hosted stay at their Coos Bay Location. This was the perfect way to enjoy late spring on the coast. We stayed in one of their pet-friendly cottages. The resort also has spacious RV and tent sites, in addition to two cabins that are off-grid, but directly on the beachfront part of the resort.
We found the deluxe cottage a perfect getaway from everyday RV living. The space included a fully stocked kitchen, a bathroom with endless hot water, and a washer/dryer unit. There was a small bedroom on the first floor, a futon in the living room, and a large loft with two single beds. We thought that this would be a perfect stay for larger families. It also had a fully fenced-in yard area and screen room, where we spent quite a bit of time on the sunny afternoons, letting our dogs run around and planning the upcoming day’s adventures.
We had incredible weather during our trip, a rarity during spring in Oregon, and we made the most of it by walking to the private beach access less than 500 feet from our doorstep. We spent our mornings getting coffee from the office and driving along the Cape Arago Highway, stopping at the state parks, walking along trails, and running along the sandy beaches.
Bay Point Landing
While at Sun Outdoors, we passed Bay Point Landing, and we were immediately struck by the stunning image of their resort, with several tiny home structures lined up along the bay, RV sites, and rows of Airstreams for those wanting to experience a taste of RV life.
We reached out and were hosted there in December of 2024. We found that this resort had the aesthetic of a Scandinavian village, with stark black buildings, against the tall grasses and tranquil waters of the bay. Bay Point Landing also boasts a saltwater pool, luxurious common spaces, and an artisanal camp store, where you can even get an entire Italian dinner for two to cook in your camper, tiny home, or rented Airstream.
We stayed in one of the tiny homes during our stay. We found it suited our needs and came with everything we needed for our week along the coast: towels, bedding, dishes, etc. There are fire pits and picnic areas outside of each of their tiny home cabins, many with views of the bay. Being located at the intersection of the small town center and the beginning of the Cape Arago Highway, we had easy access to local shops and restaurants, while also being close to the part of the coast that calls to us most.
RVing
Coos Bay is home to many different ways to stay during your time there. If you are bringing your RV, there are numerous RV parks and campgrounds lining Route 101. We suggest always looking up reviews and ratings for parks, before making a final decision on where to take your home on wheels.
Find RV rentals in the area with RVshare!
What To Do in Coos Bay
While exploring Coos Bay during our stay at Bay Point Landing, we gathered our groceries and kept our adventures more focused on the state parks and beaches. We love being able to vary our travel this way. We enjoy having spaces where we can cook our own meals, wash clothes, and find nature outside our doorstep, but also enjoy a day in town trying out local coffee shops and visiting museums.
Before you head out to Coos Bay, think about what kind of stay you may want to have, and plan accordingly. Although Coos Bay is the largest city on the Oregon Coast, we have found that it still has a very small-town feel. There are popular conveniences, such as larger grocery stores, gas stations, and chain restaurants, but Coos Bay is not a major metropolitan area.
What Coos Bay does have is endless opportunities for adventure:
- A history and art museum, both worth a stop to see if you are spending time in town.
- Lovely local coffee shops and restaurants, including So It Goes Coffee, Seven Devils Brewing Company, and Wildflour (located in North Bend).
- The Cape Arago Highway. Spend time listening to the wildlife at the famous Simpson Reef (also known at the Sea Lion Hotel), hiking along the coast on a variety of trails, and stopping to see the gardens (or holiday light show) at Shore Acres State Park.
No matter where you decide to stay and what you do during your time in Coos Bay, it is likely that you may find yourself saying what we always say to each other when we visit: “This is our favorite part of the Oregon Coast.”
More Coos Bay resources:
Find RV Dump stations in Oregon.
What to see in an RV trip to Oregon
The post Why Coos Bay is The Best Oregon Coastal Town appeared first on RVshare.
