Gold Beach

Gold Beach is a city in Southern Oregon Coast.

Get in
About 28 miles (45 km) from Brookings Oregon on Highway 101, and from Port Orford.

See

 * Scenic drives. Well of course there's the coast. The stretch of US 101 between Gold Beach and Brookings to the south is considered one of the most "oooooohhh!" and "wow!" scenic drives in the state, and one that’s usually less trafficked than up north. Look for waysides; there are lots of picnic spots and hiking trails. But turn off the highway and you’ll find as much to be amazed by. Considered one of the most beautiful is Floras Lake County Park, off US 101 just north Port Orford. While you’re up here, check out nearby Cape Blanco State Park, the westernmost point in the continental United States, and the Elk River, also marked along US 101. Closer is the Lower Rogue River Highway, County Road 595, that takes you up and into the hills east of Gold Beach. A good map and recommendations from locals is your best bet when in town, because the drives vary with the season. Ask about azalea blooms and spring iris fields.
 * Storm watching. For many people, storms are fascinating, and many visitors come to the coast during the winter to observe the forces of nature strike the coast with high winds and horizontal volleys of rain. But whether you park at the water's edge or watch from an ocean or river front room, the raging surf is an experience you won't soon forget. Weather in Gold Beach is spectacular, dramatic, and unpredictable. Storm watching doesn't necessarily mean pulling on rain gear and leaning into 60 mil-per-hour (100 km/h) winds. In fact, huge waves created by swells from storms still out at sea precede the actual storm. The sun can be shining and the wind only a calm breeze as you watch heavy surf crash into a headland, cape or jetty. The result? The airborne mist and cream-like froth cascade over the rocks, leaving you mesmerized. The months of November through February bring the biggest surf, and the most excitement for storm watchers. Thankfully, there are many overlooks, viewpoints and state parks north and south of Gold Beach on Highway 101 that are excellent locations to begin your winter storm watching adventures.
 * Winter at the beach. Outdoor activities: Winter season is a great time to be on the southern Oregon coast. Beachcombing is actually best when turmultuous seas deposit a variety of treasures on local beaches. Luckily, Gold Beach enjoys a very temperate climate that allows for outdoor activities even in mid-winter, and it's not unusual to have a major wind or rainstorm followed by a series of warm, bright and sunny days, with blue skies chasing the clouds away. Actually, the possibilities are almost endless when it comes to winter-time activities: Whale watch, storm watch, beachcomb, hike, crab and ride horses. Of course, whale and storm watching can also be enjoyed in the comfort of your room or vehicle. Indoor activities: From a cozy river or oceanfront room, you can snuggle up to a fire, relax in a hot tub, read a book or sip piping-hot cup of coffee. When you venture out, enjoy a fresh Dungeness crab and other delicacies at local eateries. Then, wander through the several art galleries and gift shops in town.
 * Art galleries and artists. The town is home to several local artists, and some of them even open their studio doors to visitors while they’re working. Oils, watercolors, photography, jewelry and sculpture inspired by the local resources and scenery — or just plain inspired — may be the perfect memento to take home. Ever wanted to take an art class? Many of our well recognized local artists make arrangements for instruction and hold workshops. Be sure to scroll down below for links and contact information. The local galleries hold an Art Roll from time to time: Catch the free mini-bus at any of five Gold Beach art galleries and enjoy the tour filled with magnificent fine art, music, refreshments and demonstrations by local artists! Win a prize if you complete the circuit, its free.

Do

 * Bike the Rogue River. Bicycle the scenic and wild Rogue River on the Oregon Coast, then finish off your day and the Gold Beach Brew and Art Fest.  Cycle routes begin at Curry County Fairgrounds Hwy 101, Gold Beach, Oregon. The route then follows Jerry’s Flat Road along the south bank with check points at Lobster Creek, 11 miles beyond Lobster Creek, and at Agness.  Route retraces itself back to the Curry County Fairgrounds
 * Birding, wildlife, farmlife. In addition to beachcombers, adventure seekers and trailblazers, look who else flocks to Gold Beach: Hutton's Vireo, Greater White-fronted Goose, Common Merganser, American Dipper, Wild Turkey, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Winter Wren, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Varied Thrush, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowned Sparrow, Spotted Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, Lesser Goldfinch to name a few. How about visiting a fully operational rural farm.  GB&K Farm Enterprises established in 1994, this family started their own organic farm adding animals for sale and pure enjoyment.  In 2007, after numerous requests from friends to visit their farm, they decided to open it for free public tours to see an actual operating farm.  They raise various breeds of sheep, goats, miniature horses, rabbits, produce and eggs, manure and compost for sale.  They also have miniature goats and donkeys.  Other animals on the farm include llama, alpaca, & chickens.  The mix is constantly changing due to sales and births.  Ample bus parking available.  Call +1 541-247-7223 to make arrangements.
 * Crabbing & clamming. Who knew a crab could be funny? It's true: for novices, pulling up and dealing with one of these spindly creatures can be seriously hilarious. Dungeness crab, thought by many to be among the sea's finest delicacies, is thick in this area from midsummer to late fall, and available most of the rest of the year (commercial crabbing is closed Aug 15 to Nov 30).  Rent a crab ring at The Rogue Outdoor Store and follow the directions of your friendly crabber and tonight you'll dine in style.  Anyone who's paid $40 for a fancy clam dinner will be shocked by how easy it is to dig up and prepare your own for the cost of... well, a shovel and cooking pot; Razor clams take up concentrated residence in the sands of Bailey Beach and Myers Beach. For butter clams, you have to travel a bit: 24 miles (38 km) north to Rocky Point.
 * Fishing & guided fishing. Gold Beach offers fishing year-round. The restricted Ocean recreational salmon fishing will have no effect on the Rogue River.  Consequently, salmon fishing at the mouth of the Rogue may be improved as a result.  Anyone can toss out a line on a sunny summer day, but winter brings out the real anglers, especially for steelhead -one of the sport's great challenges.  December through March is one of the locals' favorite times of the year, because Gold Beach typically has many days of sunshine and mild weather.  Steelhead fishing reaches its peak in February, with opportunities to cast in as many as five rivers within a five-minute to one-hour drive from the center of town.  Steelhead are sea-run rainbow trout that range in size up to 20 pounds; average is 4 to 8 pounds.  You can fish in a variety of ways depending on the river and conditions, and can cover up to 12 miles of river a day.  A covered, heated 21-foot powerboat sound or an open drift boat with heater cancarry two to four people, depending on conditions and fishing method; guides, boats, licenses and tackle are available in Gold Beach.  If you don't want to drift up, you can drive upstream; locals can point out public river access spots for good fishing.  Now the Ocean is a different kettle of fish altogether - lingcod and rockfish at this time of year.  And Gold Beach offers the best ocean bottom fishing opportunities on the Oregon Coast.  It's done just a few miles offshore in 40 to 125 feet of water, with great catches of excellent-eating seafood.  If you're looking to charter a boat in the winter, it's best to call ahead (see fishing search below), because weather definitely affects accessibility for safety reasons, current conditions and anglers' preferences.  Ocean charters can be arranged for parties of two or more.
 * Jet boat tours. Gold Beach is synonymous with jet boats and is the gateway to the Wild & Scenic portion of the Rogue River. Departing from Gold Beach is the only way to get jet boat access to this pristine "Wild Section." The trips are considered a must-do during any Gold Beach visit — at least in the months between May and October. Two outfits run the boats up the Wild and Scenic Rogue River on trips of 64, 80 and 104 round-trip miles, the longer, the wilder — in terms of whitewater and scenery. Excursions include lunch or dinner stopovers at upriver lodges (meal price extra).  Jet boats are designed specifically for safely navigating strong currents and shallow riffles, so you can relax as trained pilots treat you to tall tales and river lore, incredible scenery and sightings of black bear, river otters, eagles and the rare mountain lion.  Mail Boat Hydro-Jets is a descendant of the original mail boats that have carried news and parcels from the outside world to settlers upriver since 1895. Mail Boat Hydro-Jets runs trips in open vessels and in the Rogue Queen, a glass-enclosed excursion boat that’s ideal for rainy days and perfect for tour groups and champagne cruises.  An adventure with Jerry’s Rogue Jets begins in their museum, where just about anything you need to know about the area’s colorful history is on display in photos, artifacts and dioramas. Then get on board to learn the true meaning of "wild and scenic" from folks who’ve run these trips since 1958.  Reservations are highly recommended for both outfitters, though same-day openings are available if you’re lucky. Overnight stays at lodges upriver are another option; check out their websites, above, for details.

Buy
Think of downtown Gold Beach as the anti-mall. This is small-town shopping at its purest, and you'll have fun meeting people who actually own and run their own businesses. It makes the coffee taste better, and every local has a story.

Digging around in dusty attics your idea of fun? More than a few Gold Beach shops and cafes are stocked with the kind of things you're looking for, like battered miner’s equipment and Japanese glass floats, depression glass and crockery, and possibly the iced tea or cappuccino you need to fortify you for the hunt.

Expect lots of local items such as fresh seafood, art, gifts, outdoor gear, myrtlewood sculptures and books.

Sleep
Some places sit right on the main highway, some are reached only by boat or helicopter. Some will serve you meals caught that afternoon or picked from an organic garden, others will steer you in the direction of a favorite tavern or coffeehouse.

Prices quoted are for 2 people, 1 bed, 1 night. Properties require at least 24-hour cancellation notice.