26 Best Things to Do in Florence, Oregon in 2024
LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN FLORENCE OREGON?
We can help! We’ve spent months traveling the Oregon Coast, and one of our favorite cities to visit is Florence, Oregon. It is right next to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, which we love visiting, and it is such a charming city. This quaint town has everything we love to do at the coast.
There are so many fun things to do in Florence, Oregon, and we will share them all here!
Things to Do in Florence, Oregon
1. Heceta Head Lighthouse
No trip to the coast is complete without a lighthouse visit. This is one of the most photographed and visited lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.
From the parking lot, there is a short uphill walk along the Oregon Coast Trail to see the lighthouse. This trail, which starts at Heceta Beach, may be considered challenging to some because of the elevation gain, but it wasn’t too bad.
My twins, who were five at the time, made it up just fine. The trail is 0.5 miles. Keep an eye out for the delicious blackberry bushes that line the trail. We couldn’t get enough of them.
If you are interested in learning more about the Heceta Head Lighthouse, you can join a Lighthouse Program tour. It runs from 11 am – 3 pm in the summer, and 11 am – 2 pm in the winter. The tour goes inside the lighthouse but only along the ground floor.
There is a bed and breakfast near the lighthouse at the keeper’s house. You can make online reservations here.
2. Heceta Beach
Heceta Beach is one of our favorite Beaches in Florence, Oregon. It is such a beautiful beach surrounded by lush, green vegetation. It is an iconic view of what you would expect a Pacific Northwest Beach to look like.
This is a great place to go tide pooling so try to visit at low tide if you can. My kids and I love exploring the tide pools whenever we are at the Oregon Coast.
There are two parking lots for Heceta Beach. The northern entrance (Heceta Beach North) has lots of amenities like vault toilets, picnic tables, and trash cans. There is a $4 charge for parking here. Heceta Beach South has no parking fee, but no amenities are available here.
3. Hobbit Trail
If you want to do some hiking, one of our favorite trails in the area is the Hobbit Trail. This is one of the best things to do near Florence, Oregon, if you want to get out and hike, but not too far. This trail is one mile-round trip and is popular for families.
After hiking through the beautiful Sitka spruce trees, you will find yourself on a secluded and gorgeous beach.
There has been some break-ins in the parking area here, so either take your valuables with you or make sure they are not in sight.
4. Sea Lion Caves
Sea Lion Caves is one of the few tourist-based Florence, Oregon attractions and a great place to visit if you love sea lions. The Sea Lion Caves is a large network of sea caves that open to the ocean where you can find hundreds of steller sea lions, depending on the time of year.
This is not a zoo, so the sea lions are welcome to come and go as they please. This means there isn’t a guarantee that the sea lions will be there.
During the summer months, the sea lions tend to be more on the rocks outside the cave, whereas in the winter, you can find hundreds of sea lions in the cave.
Your walk through the cave is self-guided. If you want to go quickly through the cave, it will take about 45 minutes, but you could spend up to 2 hours there.
5. Darlingtonia State Natural Site
The Darlingtonia State Natural Site is about five miles north of Florence and has the sole purpose of preserving the darlingtonia californica. It is a very unique plant that is also called the California pitcher plant, cobra lily, or cobra plant.
It is worth a quick stop here to see this unique and carnivorous plant. There is a nice boardwalk that will take you through the area where you can see the dalingtonia.
6. Jessie M. Honeyman State Park
If you are looking to enjoy some of the outdoor activities in Florence, Oregon, away from the beach, Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park is one of the popular places to visit. This state park is about two miles away from the beach, so keep that in mind.
There are two beautiful freshwater lakes here that are perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and fishing. You can also use the sand dune day-use area to hike, play in the sand, and sand-board.
There are also lots of huckleberry and blackberry plants here in the fall, where you can harvest the fresh fruit.
This is also a great place to look for campsites on the Oregon Coast. There are RV sites, tent sites, and yurts here.
7. South Jetty County Park
If you are looking for quick and easy beach access in Florence, Oregon, South Jetty County Park is a great place to spend the day. It is the day-use area in the South Beach State Park. The day use area has great beach access south of the Umpqua River.
Some other popular activities in nearby South Beach State Park include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, wildlife viewing, and biking.
Amenities here include the beach, parking, and restrooms.
8. John Dellenback Dunes Trail
The John Dellenback Dunes Trail is a moderately difficult loop trail that is about 5.5 miles long. Hiking at a steady pace, this trail will take you about 2 hours to hike. It will take you through some beautiful areas and ends at the Pacific Ocean.
Part of this trail does go over the sand dunes. Hiking in loose sand can be very tiring so keep that in mind before heading out on this trail. There are trail markers, blue banded posts, so keep an eye out for them to make sure you don’t get lost. However, there are no signposts on the return loop.
Note: This trail is closed to ATVs and dogs from March through September.
There is a $5 charge for parking. However, parking is included if you have the America the Beautiful pass. This pass is also handy to have if you’re planning on parking at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.
9. Bob Creek Tide Pools
One of our favorite tide pools to visit is at Bob Creek. We have been to our fair share of tide pools, and I think these ones are the most impressive if you want to see starfish. The starfish there are some of the biggest we have seen.
If you are at all interested in tide pools, it is well worth timing a visit to this beach at the lowest tide. You can check the tide pool schedule here.
Remember to always stay aware of the incoming tide, but this is a relatively easy and safe place to tide pool. My daughter, who was two at the time of our visit, was able to easily walk around the sandy beach and see quite a bit of sea life.
10. Old Town Florence
The historic downtown area in Florence is a charming, walkable neighborhood right on the riverfront. There is a really great boardwalk that is fun to explore, along with historic buildings, tourist shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
This is a great place to watch the fishing boats come in from a day at sea, or you can kayak under the Siuslaw River Bridge.
11. Siuslaw Pioneer Museum
The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum is a fascinating museum that dives into the history of Florence. It has lots of great exhibits showcasing the Siuslaw River and the early pioneers in the area.
Some of the most interesting exhibits are found in the basement. They take a look at how people made their living and how they lived. There are lots of great logging, fishing, and boating artifacts on display.
There is also a great research library that focuses on old newspapers, cemetery records, census data, and obituaries.
Be sure to check the visiting hours before you head over because they do change depending on the time of the year, with more availability during the summer months.
12. Cape Perpetua and Thor’s Well
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area is one of our favorite and prettiest stretches of the central Oregon Coast. It is about 30 minutes north of Florence and well worth the drive to go see. This dramatic part of the coastline is home to fascinating water features, scenic views, and great beaches.
Be sure to visit Thor’s Well while you are there. It is a really cool water feature that looks like a well filling and draining with the ocean tide. At high tide, water sprays out of the remnants of a collapsed sea cave.
Read More: A Complete Guide to Visiting Thor’s Well
Some other fun things to do in the area are to visit the Cape Perpetua Lookout, Spout Horn, Cook’s Chasm, and the Devil’s Churn.
13. Day Trip to Newport
If you are wanting to take a day trip during your time on the Oregon Coast, Newport is a great choice. It is about 70 minutes north of downtown Florence. The drive in and of itself is a treat because it is so pretty.
There are lots of great family attractions in Newport, like the Oregon Coast Aquarium and Hatfield Marine Science Center. We also love spending time at the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. We saw whales just off the coast here and enjoy tide pooling, hiking, and visiting the lighthouse.
Read More: 32 Best Things to Do in Newport, Oregon
14. Oregon Coast Sand Dunes
Florence is the closest city to the northern sand dunes in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. During our last visit to the coast, we spent a lot of time at the sand dunes and had a blast. It is fun to climb and play on the sand dunes.
You can also rent a RZR or four-wheel to explore the dunes, which is a lot of fun. This section of the sand dunes has beach access so you can ride your off-road vehicle right on the beach which we loved.
Read More: A Complete Guide to Visiting the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
15. Sand Master Park
Another great way to enjoy the sand dunes in Florence is at Sand Masters Park. It is the first sandboard park in the world and offers lessons for those wanting to learn how to sandboard.
There are sand dunes slopes for beginners and intermediate riders. Within an hour of lessons, a lot of people have gotten the basics down and have a great time riding on the sand dunes.
You can also rent a board from a nearby shop if you want to try sandboarding on your own. Honeyman is a great place to visit if you’re going out on your own.
16. Oregon Coast Military Museum
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Florence, Oregon on a rainy day or you love history, the Oregon Coast Military Museum is a great stop. This museum has interesting exhibits that cover all periods of military conflict. It is a pretty small museum but has great exhibits, including combat vehicles and life-sized dioramas.
Be sure to also stop by the remembrance garden. It is so pretty and such a special place to visit.
17. Crabbing
One of our favorite things to do when we visit the Oregon Coast is to go crabbing. My kids always get so excited when we pull a full crab pot up and love catching enough for a tasty crab dinner.
There are two ways to go crabbing in Florence.
First, you can rent a boat from the Siuslaw Marina and RV Park. We did run into a problem renting a boat from them because they said we had too many little kids for them to feel comfortable renting a boat to us. If you are visiting with young kids, you may give them a call to make sure they will rent a boat to you.
If you have your heart set on renting a boat and run into trouble with the Siuslaw Marina and River RV Park, you can go up to Waldport and rent a boat from Dock of the Bay. We have rented from them before and did not have any troubles.
The second way to go crabbing in Florence is to rent a trap and go out to the crabbing dock. We rented a crab ring from Sportsman and had a great experience. They can also help you get our license and bait there.
We went to the South Jetty Crab Dock to try our hand at crabbing from the dock. We had a great time, and our kids had fun playing on the beach in between checking the trap. Do keep in mind that in most cases, you will catch more crabs if you have a boat but renting a pot and crabbing from the dock is a much cheaper option and is still a great experience.
18. BJ’s Ice Cream Parlor
If you’re looking for a tasty treat as you are exploring historic Old Town Florence, check out BJ’s Ice Cream Parlor. It has great service and wonderful ice cream. The salted caramel ice cream is amazing.
Grab a scoop or two and head out to the boardwalk, where you can enjoy the Siuslaw River views.
19. Baker Beach
This is one of the beautiful Florence, Oregon beaches. It is about five miles north of Florence along Highway 101. There is about a half-mile walk to get to the beach, so if you’re looking for quick and easy beach access, you will want to visit somewhere else.
Baker Beach is a popular place for horseback riding and bird watching. It is common to see the western snowy plovers making their nests here. The beach here is very wide and can be a great place to escape the crowds.
If you want to hike for longer, consider taking the Lily Lake Trail, which goes to the northeast. You can also take the Baker Beach Trail which goes to the south through the forest.
20. Florence Oregon Boardwalk Market
We love visiting the local farmers’ market. There is always such fresh produce, and on the Oregon Coast, it definitely doesn’t disappoint. It is also fun to get to see the local arts and crafts and how they vary from the other cities that we visit.
The Florence Oregon Boardwalk Market is open every Tuesday from 3-6 pm. The market usually runs from mid-May through Mid-October at the intersection of Bay and Kingwood Street in Old Town Florence.
21. Exploding Whale Memorial Park
This is a beautiful riverfront park that is a great place to enjoy the beautiful views of the Siuslaw River. It is a small park but has a nice walking path, benches, and great views of the Siuslaw River Bridge. If you are wanting to take pictures of the bridge, this is a great place to do that.
22. Watch for Whales
This area is a great place to watch for whales and one of the best Florence, Oregon activities. The gray whales pass by Florence twice a year as they travel to and from Mexico for breeding. During the winter months, they travel south and return from March to June.
There are also about 200 whales that are considered resident whales and live off the Oregon Coast year-round. We visited in July and saw whales in this area right off the coast.
The best places to go whale-watching from the shore in Florence are at the Heceta Lighthouse and the Sea Lion Beach Viewpoint. However, they are visible from the beaches as well, so keep an eye out.
23. Holman Vista Day Use
Holman Vista Day Use Area is a beautiful part of the Sutton Recreation Area. There is a boardwalk (Holman Vista Trail #1326) that is wheelchair or stroller friendly and has a viewing platform with the best views of the beach and ocean.
There are also lots of other trails in this area where you can find coastal forests, rhododendrons, and sand dunes. Two of the most popular trails in this area are Darlington Trail #1320 and Sutton Trail #1321.
Best Restaurants in Florence, Oregon
There are lots of great places to eat in Florence, Oregon. We have highlighted two of our favorite places to eat in Florence below.
24. Mo’s Chowder
We love ordering fresh seafood when we come to the coast, and one of our favorite places to visit for it in Florence is Mo’s Chowder. On the menu, you will find a large variety of tacos, pasta dishes, seafood entrees, and sandwiches. Of course, you can’t miss out on the clam chowder, even if you get it as a side dish.
The restaurant sits right on the bank of the river. We have seen seals in this part of town, so keep an eye out the window as you eat dinner. The views from your table are awesome and really add to the experience. You can’t go wrong with fresh seafood from Mo’s Chowder.
25. Los Amigos Burrito
Los Amigos Burrito is a delicious Mexican restaurant in downtown Florence serving up all sorts of delicious burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and more. We stopped in for dinner after riding at the Florence sand dunes and loved it.
The service was fast, and the food was delicious. There is indoor and outdoor seating, or you can take your order to go.
26. Novelli’s Crab & Seafood
If you’re looking for fresh seafood, it doesn’t come much fresher than Novelli’s Crab & Seafood. It is a family-run business of commercial fishermen. They sell what they catch from their restaurant down on the water.
They sell chowder as well as crab. You can either cook it on your own or you can have them cook it for you. We purchased crab here when we didn’t catch enough for dinner one day and it was excellent.
Plus, we saw a harbor seal just off the dock from the restaurant so keep an eye out as you are in the area.
Things to do in Florence, Oregon on a Rainy Day
If you find yourself in Florence on a rainy day, don’t worry! There are still lots of fun things to do in Florence, Oregon. Here are some of the best things to do during a rainy day:
- Sea Lion Caves
- Siuslaw Pioneer Museum
- Oregon Coast Military Museum
- Backstreet Gallery
- City Lights Cinemas
Map of Things to Do in Florence, Oregon
Where to Stay in Florence, Oregon
There are lots of great places to stay in Florence, Oregon. You can find a cozy cabin, water-front hotel, or private rental. Here are some great places to consider when looking for where to stay in Florence, Oregon
Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center
Driftwood Shores Resort and Conference Center has a great location in the city center right on the beach. It is only a two-minute walk to Haceta Beach and within a seven-minute drive of Sand Master Park, Baker Beach, and Darlingtonia State Natural Site.
This beachfront resort is perfect for visitors wanting quick access to the beach and enjoy sunset views on the beach. The resort also has an indoor pool and children’s pool.
If you are looking for a larger hotel room, check out their suite room with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. These suites have a full kitchen, a beautiful patio, as well as amazing ocean views.
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⭐ Driftwood Shores Resort Reviews (4.1/5 Stars)
Beautiful, Staff was very kind and helpful. – Michele (Expedia Review)
Fantastic ocean view! Easy access to beach…right out front door! Comfy bed. – Sandra (Expedia Review)
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Getting to Driftwood Shores Resort
📍 Driftwood Shores Resort Address: 88416 1st Ave, Florence, OR 97439 | Google Maps | Book Driftwood Shores Resort Now
Best Western Pier Point Inn
Although it isn’t on the beach, the Best Western Pier Point Inn sits on the bank of the Suislaw River Bridge and close to the Suislaw River Bridge. This is one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Florence, Oregon.
The Best Western Pier Point Inn has a variety of room options available including suites with a kitchen. We always find it much easier to keep everyone fed and happy when we have a full kitchen wherever we are staying.
The hotel has lots of great amenities like free breakfast, gym, sauna, and two hot tubs. There is also a fun indoor pool where everyone can enjoy swimming after a fun day of exploring all of the fun things to do in Florence, Oregon. My kids always beg to stay in hotels because we get to go swimming every night.
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⭐Best Western Pier Point Inn Reviews (4.2/5 Stars)
The view and all the amenities were excellent – Bernadette (Expedia Review)
Clean and comfortable at a convenient location. My pre-teen boys enjoyed pool, hot tub and sauna. Hot breakfast had many selections. – Allan (Expedia Review)
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Getting to Best Western Pier Point Inn
📍 Western Pier Point Inn Address: 85625 Highway 101, Florence, OR 97439 | Google Maps | Book Best Western Pier Point Inn Now
Park Motel and Cabins
If you’re looking for a cozy cabin to stay at in Florence or you want a less expensive standard-hotel room, the Park Motel and Cabins is a great place to stay. It is just south of the downtown area close to the Oregon Sand Dunes National Recreation Area and the South Jetty.
Some of the options available have a full kitchen and there are outdoor picnic tables and grills perfect for enjoying lunch or dinner in between adventures. This is a great budget option with great reviews.
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⭐ Park Motel and Cabins Review (4.3/5 Stars)
We stayed in a cabin that can easily accommodate 6 people with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, dining. Very nice place as each cabin is isolated from others and have its own fire pit and barbeque grill. Well thought layout. – Srinivas (Expedia Review)
I liked the retro feel of the rooms and the whole place; at the same time, everything was very clean and there were up-to-date amenities (e.g. a sitting area outside, coffee and tea in the sitting room at reception). Very friendly staff and a warm welcome. The town nearby has many cute shops and an espresso café near the water. – Lisa (Expedia Review)
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Getting to Park Motel and Cabins
📍 Park Motel and Cabins Address: 85034 Highway 101 South, Florence, OR 97439 | Google Maps | Book Park Motel and Cabins Now
Adobe Resort in Yachats
The Adobe Resort in Yachats is about 35 minutes north of Florence but I couldn’t leave it out because it is such an amazing property. If you’re planning on visiting Cape Perpetua or the lighthouse, the drive wouldn’t be too bad because they are north of Florence. Just keep your driving time in mind.
As I mentioned, the highlight of this property is the location. It sits on the dramatic coastline in Yachats with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. This is also a great option to look at if you’re looking for a variety of room options available. They have family suites as well as standard hotel rooms.
Many of the rooms have amazing ocean views from the windows and patio. There is also a nice indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and gym.
There are reviews of poor cell service in this area.
▶ Check Rates & Book: Adobe Resort
⭐ Adobe Resort Reviews (4.4/5 Stars)
Great place for families spacious rooms 👌 will be back! – Melissa (Expedia Review)
Largest hotel room I have ever seen! The oceanview room was incredible! – Kiersten (Expedia Review)
▶ Check Rates & Book: Adobe Resort
Getting to Adobe Resort
📍 Adobe Resort Address: 1555 Highway 101, Yachats, OR, 97498 | Google Maps | Book Adobe Resort Now
Guide: RV Parks in Florence
If you are bringing your RV to Florence or you want t do some camping, there are lots of great places to camp in Florence. We have put together a great guide highlighting the best RV parks in Florence. We have camped here before and had a wonderful time camping in the cool weather.
Read More: 12 Best RV Parks Near Florence, Oregon
FAQs: Things to Do in Florence, Oregon
Where is Florence, Oregon?
Florence, Oregon is a small town on the Oregon Coast. It sits at the mouth of the Siuslaw River. It is about 75 minutes west of Eugene, Oregon, and 60 minutes south of Newport, Oregon. It makes for one of the best day trips from Portland, as Florence is just about 3 hours outside of the city.
What is Florence, Oregon known for?
Florence is a beautiful coastal town known for outdoor activities. It is close to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, with great beaches, state parks, and dramatic coastlines. There is a small downtown area with charming boutiques, delicious restaurants, and antique stores.
Is Florence, Oregon worth visiting?
We love visiting Florence, Oregon, and think it is definitely worth visiting. There is a really nice downtown area that is fun to explore, and the outdoor activities are endless. We love visiting the sand dunes, lighthouses, tide pools, and hiking trails in the area.
Conclusion: Things to Do in Florence, Oregon
We hope this has been a helpful guide in determining the best things to do in Florence, Oregon. We love exploring the Oregon Coast on the road during the summer months to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and all of the fun things to do there.
The Florence area has such fun things to do, ranging from the sand dunes to Cape Perpetua and the scenic lighthouse. We hope you have a great time on the Oregon Coast!
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