#10 Meyers Beach and Pistol River
"Hiding in Plain Sight"
The atmospheric mood can change on a dime at Meyers Beach. With the beach nestled between Cape Sebastian to the north and Crook Point to the south, strong off shore winds swirl in and can linger for hours or even just minutes. Fog comes and goes at its leisure.
With highway 101 so close to the beach, Meyers Beach makes for a great place to stop if time is of the essence. Its a pleasant place to stop and stretch the legs...and take a few photo's, or just sit in your car and enjoy the few from comfort.
Both Meyers and Pistol River beaches have a lot of opportunity for beach combing and easy access to capture a variety coastal scenes.
I happened to be passing by when the event at Pistol River was taking place. It warranted a stop, and a chance to capture some amazing windsurfing skills. Make sure you dress warm, that north wind is a cold one!
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The easy highway access and flat beaches, sea stacks, windsurfing and photogenic scenery are the reasons why I choose Meyers Beach and Pistol River as the number ten "Top 10 Best."
"Land Before Time"
#9 Lookout Rock and Sisters Rocks Make sure to also check out the "lost world" of life-sized replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures inhabiting the temperate rain forest at the Prehistoric Gardens located between the Lookout Rock and Sisters Rocks State Park. It's a fine lesson in elementary paleontology.
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The forgotten raw and rugged landscape and photogenic scenery are the reasons why I choose Lookout Rock and Sisters Rocks as the number nine "Top 10 Best."
#8 Cape Blanco Lighthouse
"The Sentinel Monarch"
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The lighthouse, its architecture, and the windswept landscape along with the surrounding scenery are the reasons why I choose the Cape Blanco Lighthouse as the number eight "Top 10 Best."
#7 Coquille River Lighthouse
"One of a Kind"
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The lighthouse, its one-of-a-kind architecture, the easy access to view the lighthouse from all sides and its reflective ability along with the surrounding scenery are the reasons why I choose the Coquille River Lighthouse as the number seven "Top 10 Best."
#6 Oregon National Dunes
"The Test of Time"
Occasionally, while hiking, you might cross the path of animal footprints such as racoon, porcupine, coyote, deer, lizards, snake, and even black bear. Its a reminder that the dunes are full of life and you are far from being alone. Most likely you're quietly being watched by such creatures, even though you'll rarely see them.
In the Oregon Dunes it is the wet compressed sand that the wind sculpts into unique shapes. Be creative with the sculptures as being recognizable places from around the world. For example, in the photo below, let the imagination discover the Egyptian Sphinx. But don't wait too long to get out and see these strange unimaginable Yardang formations. What the wind and rain created yesterday, the wind and heat of the sun will dry out and destroy tomorrow.
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The sculpted open landscape, the solitude, the extremely windswept desert like region along with the surrounding scenery are the reasons why I choose the Oregon National Dunes as the number six "Top 10 Best."
#5 Sunset Bay State Park
"Where Time Reflects"
Sunset Bay is definitely named appropriately. The sun will set within the sheltered horseshoe shaped cove throughout the majority of the year providing a great place to watch the sun set barefooted on the beach, or in the comfort of the car.
The gradually sloping beach provides incredibly dramatic reflections at sunset and low tide.
But, don't get discouraged. There are several places in and around Sunset Bay State Park that you are able to get great views of the inaccessible and allusive Cape Arago Lighthouse. Take a hike out to the several points along the cliff side trails and vistas. The easiest and considered the best view of the lighthouse is from a pullout along the road, just south of the Sunset Bay Campground.
SUNSET BAY including the CAPE ARAGO LIGHTHOUSE
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The sheltered bay, the ability to easily capture uniquely framed sunsets year-round, the nearby Cape Arago Lighthouse, along with the surrounding scenery are the reasons why I choose the Sunset Bay as the number five "Top 10 Best."
#4 The Coos Bay and Harbor
"Water's Edge"
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The reflective waters , the diverse subject matter within the bay, the true character and romance of a coastal fishing port along with the endless surrounding scenery are the reasons why I choose the Coos Bay and Harbor as the number four "Top 10 Best."
#3 Samuel H. Boardman State Park
"The Wild and Untamed"
The Samuel H. Boardman State Park Corridor is a 12 mile, forested, linear park with a rugged, steep coastline interrupted by small sand beaches, clusters of off shore islands, and countless natural sea arches. There is no other place on the entire Pacific Coast like it.
The highway vistas are impressive on their own, but to discover the best of what the park has to offer, you have to get out, tie up those hiking boots, and hike. Getting your feet wet is also required. Becoming one with nature is expected. If you don't get out and into the heart of the park, it will be difficult at best to actually capture, in print, just how naturally wild the park really is.
SAMUEL H. BOARDMAN STATE PARK
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The rugged, the secluded, the extremely untamed and wild, the unlimited sea stacks and arches, along with the overwhelming abundance of diverse dramatic scenery at every turn are the reasons why I choose Samuel Boardman State Park as the number three "Top 10 Best."
#2 Shore Acres State Park
"Best Kept Secret"
(More wave action photos can be seen in the slideshow below)
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
(More photos of the Botanical Gardens can be seen in the slideshow below)
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
#1 Beaches of Bandon
"Coastal Splendor"
These offshore rocks, which can evoke unrealistic images existing only in the creative imagination of the on-looker, may look like sea serpents, Greek mythology sirens and weird sea creatures of the deep rising forth to quickly seize an invisible mythological creature. Or, the sea stacks provide a visual shape supporting the lure of Native Indian legends, like The Howling Dog, The Basket of Kittens...(or in some written legends, The Basket of Racoons)...and the most famous legend of all, Face Rock.
Click PLAY on the slideshow below:
The intent of this list is to encourage that inner voice in you to get out to explore, experience, and photograph the beauty, the magic, and what the incredible Southern Oregon Coast has to offer. Don't wait for an invitation, just go.
"I would love to hear your stories, your experiences, your favorite Southern Oregon Coast place to visit. Which one is your favorite? Please feel free to leave your story in the comment section below."
[email protected]
To learn more about the Southern Oregon Coast, and other great places to visit and explore in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, spend some time checking out my educational blog and photography page at:
http://journeywithstevenmichael.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/StevenMichaelPhotographyOregon