Updated: April 11, 2024
At the edge of the woods, tucked into a bend in the Siuslaw River where it meets the Pacific Ocean sits the idyllic Oregon coastal town of Florence. This small town is surrounded by natural beauty with rolling sand dunes, serene beaches, freshwater lakes, meandering rivers and a national forest at its doorstep.
We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Florence, Oregon including where to eat and stay and other helpful travel tips to get the most out of your visit.
Contents
- Where is Florence, Oregon?
- Transportation to Florence
- About Florence
- Things to Do in Florence
- Places to Stay in Florence, Oregon
Hotels
Vacation Rentals
Campgrounds and RV Parks - Restaurants and Dining in Florence
- Weather in Florence, Oregon
- Tide Charts for Florence, Oregon
- Annual Events and Festivals in Florence
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Where is Florence, Oregon?
Florence is located on the central Oregon Coast in Lane County, about 3 hours driving from Portland (170 miles). The most common route from Portland is to take I-5 south to Eugene, then head west on highway 126. Florence is a little over 1 hour west of Eugene.
It’s a bit of a drive, but it could work out as a day trip from Portland or an ideal weekend getaway.
Transportation to Florence, Oregon
Driving is the easiest and fastest way to get to Florence. For air, bus, train and car rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Search for rental cars and find the best deals on cars at RentalCars.com.
About Florence, Oregon
This area was originally the native homeland of the Siuslaw tribe. The city of Florence, Oregon, was established in 1893 and began as a flourishing fishing and logging town with abundant natural resources nearby.
Today, tourism is the major draw in Florence, which has a population of about 9,000 residents.
Top Things to Do in Florence, Oregon
Roam Around the Oregon Dunes
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is one of the largest expanses of coastal sand dunes in the world, stretching 40 miles south from Florence to Coos Bay, Oregon. Some dunes rise up to 500 feet above sea level.
This unusual environment is a byproduct of millions of years of erosion along the coastline, creating a mix of open sand dunes, wetlands, freshwater lakes, coastal forests, tree islands and beaches.
Frank Herbert was so awestruck by this evolving landscape, he was inspired to write the science fiction novel, Dune, in 1965.
Exploring the dunes is one of the most popular things to do near Florence and visitors come for outdoor activities like off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, hiking, fishing, paddling, swimming, horseback riding, biking, wildlife viewing, birding, picnicking and camping. Several local companies offer dune buggy rentals and tours.
Sand Master Park is the “World’s First Sandboarding Park” offering board rentals and sales, sand sleds, lessons and private, sculpted sand dunes to surf.
👉 See our complete guide to the Oregon Dunes
See the Heceta Head Lighthouse
High above the Pacific, the red-topped, iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse near Florence is one of the most photographed places on the entire west coast of Oregon. Upper levels are closed to the public but guided tours of the lower levels are available.
The original 1893 lightkeeper’s house is now the historic Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast Inn. Guests can book an ocean-view room and spend the night in one of the last remaining (possibly haunted) lightkeeper’s cottages on the Pacific Coast.
👉 Learn more about Heceta Head and other historic lighthouses of the Oregon Coast.
Further Reading
Surrounding the Heceta lighthouse, a forested trail network offers some of the best ocean views and wildlife spotting on the coast, including whales, sea lions, elk and many species of seabirds.
Take the trail to Hobbit Beach or visit the tide pools at low tide. The park is part of the Cape Perpetua Marine Reserve.
🥾 For more hiking suggestions, see our complete list of day hikes on the Oregon Coast.
Visit the Florence, Oregon Sea Lion Caves
See the largest sea cave in the United States and one of the largest in the world! The Sea Lion Caves in Florence has been a roadside attraction on the Oregon Coast since 1932.
If you grew up in Oregon, chances are, you visited the Sea Lion Caves as a kid. If not, then stop in and pay them a visit for a truly local experience. This is one of the top things to do at the Oregon Coast for kids and families.
The Sea Lion Caves are the size of a football field and are home to about 200 Oregon resident sea lions who come and go as they please throughout the year. Visitors ride an elevator down to the viewing area.
Watch the sea lions as they challenge each other for a coveted spot to lounge on the rocks. Their familiar bark, often heard up and down the Oregon Coast, gets amplified even louder by the cave.
When is the best time to see the Sea Lions in Oregon? You’ll see more sea lions in winter months when they are seeking shelter in the cave, but it is open year-round. Ask at the office about the status of the sea lions. Tickets are required (link above), but reservations are not necessary.
Behold the Carnivorous Plants
If you like cool plants, stop in at Darlingtonia State Natural Site, about 5 miles north of Florence, to see Darlingtonia californica, the rare native cobra lily. A carnivorous plant, it is a member of the pitcher plant family that lures insects with its nectar then traps them inside its hollow stalk.
The plants bloom in late spring through early summer and can be viewed from a boardwalk trail that runs through the 18-acre botanic preserve. There is also a small picnic area.
Walk Through Historic Old Town Florence, OR
Spend the day strolling through charming Old Town Florence and explore Bay Street, the waterfront harbor, historic buildings, museums, antique stores and art galleries, coffee shops and restaurants.
Take in the beautiful river views, including the picturesque 1936 Siuslaw River Bridge designed by Oregon bridgemaster Conde McCullough, and watch the boats and paddlers go by. The Rhody Express bus runs around town on weekdays.
Places to Stay in Florence, Oregon
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Florence, Oregon
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park is located 3 miles south of Florence, OR and is a popular campground for families with ATVs/OHVs and those visiting the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. If you’re not into the vehicle noise that comes with that, you might want to skip this one from May through September.
There are two freshwater lakes surrounded by sand dunes that offer swimming, no-wake boating, paddling, sandcastle building and sunbathing. Memorial Day through Labor Day, the historic Honeyman Lodge swim area rents pedal boats, paddle boards and kayaks.
🌲 See our complete guide to state campgrounds on the Oregon Coast for more parks in this region.
🚐 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 Florence, Oregon
For the best dining in Florence, just head to Old Town and walk around to check out the menus or take a stroll along the river after dinner. Head down Bay Street for a great selection of some of the best restaurants in Florence and take your pick.
Nosh (seasonal Northwest cuisine), Mari’s Kitchen (seafood, sandwiches, pasta) and 1285 Restobar (Italian and pizza) are all right next to each other on Bay Street in Florence.
Waterfront Depot Restaurant is a favorite dinner spot in Florence with riverfront views and delicious food, cocktails and desserts.
The Pono Hukilau in Florence offers creative sushi and Pacific fusion specialties in a laid-back-surf-Tiki-inspired casual spot.
For a solid breakfast in Florence, The Little Brown Hen serves up hearty steak n’ eggs, benedicts and plate-sized pancakes.
🍴 See Where to Eat on the Oregon Coast for more food and drink options in nearby regions.
Weather in Florence, Oregon
The weather in Florence, Oregon is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
Learn more about the best time to visit the Oregon Coast and the weather in this region.
Like most of the Oregon Coast, the beaches are usually breezy and cool. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear. Find out more about what to wear to the Oregon Coast and get a free packing list to help you prepare for your trip.
Tide Charts for Florence 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 complete list of the best Oregon Coast tide pools to find tide pool locations near Florence.
Annual Events and Festivals in Florence, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Florence? Here’s a list of major events to help you plan your trip.
January – Winter Music Festival Florence, Oregon
February – Florence Annual Wine & Chowder Trail
March– Spring Whale Watching in Florence
May – Annual Florence, Oregon Rhododendron Festival
July – July 4th festivities in Florence
September – Florence Annual Rods n’ Rhodies Classic Car Show
October – Annual Wiener Dog Races in Florence
November – Florence, Oregon Veterans Day Parade
December – Annual Florence Holiday Festival
For more details and events, see the official Florence, Oregon Visitor Information site.
👉 See our calendar for more events on the Oregon Coast.
Taking a road trip? From Florence, drive 35 minutes north to Yachats, or 1 hour south to Coos Bay to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
Enjoy visiting Florence on the beautiful central Oregon Coast and feel free to bookmark this page or pin it for future reference!
