Updated: April 3, 2024
At the southernmost end of the Oregon Coast, close to the California border, the town of Brookings is in one of the most picturesque regions on the entire coastline of Oregon.
Drive the scenic corridor and stop at the best ocean viewpoints, explore the harbor, sample local seafood and find more fun things to do in Brookings, Oregon on a weekend getaway or longer beach vacation.
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Where is Brookings, Oregon?
Brookings is the last town on the Oregon Coast before you reach California and is located 6 miles from the border in Curry County. Driving time to Brookings takes about 6 hours driving from Portland (340 miles), 4 hours from Eugene (236 miles) and 2.5 hours from Medford (125 miles). There are several different routes you could take, depending on your starting point.
One recommended route coming from the north is to take I-5 south past Cottage Grove, then highway 38 west to Reedsport. Highway 38 follows the Umpqua River and is one of our favorite scenic drives in Oregon, especially in the fall. When you reach Reedsport, take highway 101 south to Brookings and explore the southern coast on the way down.
Transportation to Brookings, OR
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Brookings. For air, bus, train, car and camper rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
About Brookings, Oregon
This area is the native homeland of the Chetco people, who came to coastal Oregon between 1,000 and 3,000 years ago. When white settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s, the tribe was forcibly relocated to the Siletz reservation along with Oregon’s other coastal indigenous people and many lives were lost along the way.
For more about Oregon native history, see the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians or the Coquille Indian Tribe.
The town of Brookings was founded in 1908 as a company town by lumber barons John and Robert Brookings. When the timber company closed in the 1920s, the town started producing Easter Lily bulbs and now produces 90% of the world’s supply.
Today, Brookings, Oregon, has a population of just under 7,000 residents. Located in the Oregon banana belt on the southern coast, its year-round warm coastal climate is often 20 degrees warmer than surrounding areas and draws tourists and retirees.
The unincorporated town of Harbor, Oregon, sits just across the river, so the area is often collectively referred to as Brookings-Harbor.
Top Things to Do in Brookings, Oregon
Take a Scenic Drive
The word “scenic” doesn’t really do it justice. The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is the highlight of the southern Oregon Coast, a 12-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 101 famous for its natural bridges, sea stacks, arched rock formations and blue-green waters. It is truly an impressive place and should be added to your Oregon Coast road trip bucket list if you haven’t yet experienced it.
There are several marked pullouts along this stretch of Highway 101 where you can stop and take in some of the most dramatic views of the rocky Oregon shoreline or explore numerous hiking trails including a segment of the Oregon Coast Trail.
From Brookings, drive north on Highway 101 and you’ll enter the corridor in about 5 minutes. We encourage you to explore safely! Trails are steep, rugged and dangerous here, and sadly, there have been fatal accidents. Staying in marked, designated zones keeps you and your loved ones safe and helps keep these areas open for others to enjoy.
Stops on the Samuel H. Boardman Corridor
Lone Ranch Beach – This is a rocky beach close to Brookings great for tidepooling, rockhounding and spectacular sunsets. There is a day-use area with picnic tables and plenty of parking.
Cape Ferrelo Viewpoint – A one mile hike will reward you with views of the scenic coastline. Keep an eye out for whales!
House Rock Viewpoint – There is a 4-mile trail between Cape Ferrelo and House Rock leading through coastal forests to quiet beaches.
Whaleshead Beach – A gravel road leads to a picturesque beach with views of Whaleshead rock, shallow creeks emptying into the ocean and a sea cave to explore at low tide.
Indian Sands Trailhead – This large loop hiking trail features some impressive views but is steep in some areas with offshoot trails that are not marked well. Use offline maps or other navigational aids if you’re not familiar with the area.
Thomas Creek Bridge – The tallest bridge in Oregon, Thomas Creek Bridge was built in 1961 and stands 345 feet tall. The bridge was designed by Ivan D. Merchant, who also designed the 4-mile long Astoria-Megler bridge. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get a good perspective to take a photo, unless you have a drone or are up for a very steep hike.
Natural Bridges – There is a short walk from the parking lot to a viewing platform with scenic views of seven natural bridge rock formations and the turquoise water below.
❗ Please heed warning signs to stay on the platform. The terrain is extremely dangerous (even for experienced hikers) and trails have been closed due to several fatal falling accidents here.
Secret Beach – A steep trail with a bit of a scramble at the end leads to a serene beach with tide pools and a sea cave at low tide.
Spruce Island Viewpoint – Another scenic spot with views of Spruce Island, good for watching sunsets.
Arch Rock – A short path from the parking lot leads to a scenic viewpoint of the rocks and islands offshore (pictured above).
Head to the Port of Brookings-Harbor
Shop, eat and drink at Port of Brookings-Harbor, a busy marina with both commercial and recreational fishing and a boardwalk lined with a variety of local vendors. There is also beach access at nearby Sport Haven Beach.
Explore Chetco Point Park
Chetco Point Park is a beautiful lookout point in town, but you have to park at the wastewater treatment plant! If you can get past that, there is a dog park, a few picnic tables, beach access and some great views of the rocky coast.
Stop and See the Azaleas
Walk through Azalea Park to see the ancient native azaleas and rhododendrons that have been growing there since the early 1800s. Spring (April-May) is the best time to see the flowers in full bloom. The park also features athletic fields, an 18-hole disc golf course, horseshoe pits, a playground and a bandshell with outdoor concerts in the summer.
The Azalea Festival in Brookings is held annually on Memorial Day weekend with a parade, car show, live music and other community events at the Port of Brookings marina. In winter, the park is decked out in over 2 million lights and festive decorations for the annual Nature’s Coastal Holiday festival of lights.
Explore South of Brookings
McVay Rock State Recreation Site and Winchuck State Recreation Site are two parks south of Brookings for beach and river access. These are excellent beaches for rockhounding and agate hunting.
Crissey Field State Recreation Site is also a good spot for beachcombing. The Oregon State Welcome Center is located here and offers free visitor information, maps, brochures and restrooms. This is a great roadside stop to get out and stretch your legs if you’re driving up the Pacific Coast from California.
You may also be interested in:
- Things to do at the Oregon Coast – browse by activity
- Visit the city of Coos Bay, Oregon
- Explore the coastal town of Bandon, Oregon
- Book a guided tour of the Oregon Coast
Places to Stay in Brookings, Oregon
You may also be interested in:
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Brookings, Oregon
Just 2 miles north of Brookings, Harris Beach State Park has hiking trails, miles of scenic beach, tide pools and a campground with overnight camping for RVs and tents. Some campsites even have ocean views.
Alfred A. Loeb State Park, 8 miles inland from Brookings offers overnight campsites and rental cabins set amongst dense Myrtlewood forest along the Chetco River. Enjoy fishing, swimming, rafting and nature trails at this year-round park where you’ll also find the northernmost redwood grove in the U.S.
🌲 See our complete guide for more of the best campgrounds on the southern Oregon Coast.
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds along the Oregon Coast off Highway 101. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers. Try it free!
Restaurants and Dining in Brookings, Oregon
Most of the restaurants in Brookings are just off Highway 101 or clustered near the harbor.
Chetco Brewing Company brews locally crafted beers in Brookings and there is also a vegan food truck on site.
Head to Hungry Clam in Harbor for clam chowder in a bread bowl, fish n’ chips, seafood baskets and sandwiches.
Mattie’s Pancake House on Highway 101 south of Harbor serves diner-style hearty breakfasts as well as lunch sandwiches and burgers.
Black Trumpet Bistro in Brookings prepares refined New American dishes with an Italian influence like cioppino and chicken marsala as well as steaks and other pasta dishes.
The Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail connects visitors to the local cuisine of the Southern Oregon Coast, including Brookings. There are 39 stops including bakeries, restaurants, farms, markets, breweries, distilleries and seafood stands.
🍴 Browse more of the best restaurants on the southern Oregon Coast by city and region.
🍺 Find more local Oregon Coast Breweries.
Weather in Brookings, Oregon
The weather in Brookings is unlike other regions of the Oregon Coast— it’s often 20 degrees warmer here due to the Oregon banana belt effect. The climate is mild year-round and can stay in the mid-60s F in winter with lows in the 40s.
Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s F. Spring and Autumn are moderate with a mix of sunny and rainy days. Like the rest of the coast, there is still frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August.
September is a beautiful time to visit the coast with lingering warm days as autumn arrives. Learn more about what kind of weather to expect and the best time of year to visit the Oregon Coast.
The beaches in Oregon are usually breezy and cool year-round, so it’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. See our guide on what to pack for a trip to the Oregon Coast and get a free packing list to help you prepare for your trip.
Tide Charts for Brookings and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is the time for beachcombing, clamming, tide pools and cave exploration.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 See our Oregon Coast tide pools guide to find the best tide pool spots near Brookings.
Annual Events and Festivals in Brookings, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Brookings? Here’s a list of major events to help you plan your trip.
🥕 Brookings-Harbor Farmers Market is open year-round with the exception of Christmas to New Year’s Day. It is held every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. off highway 101 just south of Harbor.
May – Brookings Oregon Azalea Festival
July – Southern Oregon Kite Festival and Regatta in Brookings
August – Brookings Oregon Pirates of the Pacific Festival
September – Slam’n Salmon Derby in Brookings, Oregon
November-December – Nature’s Coastal Holiday festival of lights at Azalea Park in Brookings, Oregon
For more visitor information, see City of Brookings, Oregon.
👉 See our calendar for more annual events and festivals on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? From Brookings, drive 30 minutes north to Gold Beach, 1 hour north to Port Orford or keep heading northward to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
