This trail is a hidden gem! We went two separate times, in the morning and in the afternoon, and…read moreboth times we were able to get parking. The beach wasn't busy either time! The morning time was foggy but so beautiful. It was super sunny in the afternoon. Parking can be tricky and a bit scary parking on the side of the road, but just keep an eye on the road and you'll be fine. The trail is shaded and is steady for the most part. There are a few steep areas as you get near the beach, but just prepare yourself for the view once you get there. The sand is soft, the water is cold, and you'll feel like you have thee beach to yourself. Remember to clean up after yourself!

I thought it was rather anti-climactic. ‍ Had hoped it would be arched w/foliage... but it was…read moremostly just a trail. ‍ i don't think i'll go back anytime soon.

Such a stunner this one! Oregon has a great coastline but this one comes with a side of light…read morehouse. Devils elbow state park isn't just a fun name it's a beautiful location to have picnic and enjoy the sandy shoreline.

On our way to Newport, we decided to take the scenic route to Oregon coast via 101. We were…read moreenjoying the nice coastal view but didn't have the chance to stop because it was getting late for us to reach our destination. Until we saw a lighthouse from a distance and decided to check it out. We took a turn and saw lots of cars parked near the bridge where we were at. From the parking lot, we were greeted by an amazing view of the beach and a lovely structure perched on top of a hill. We found out that this structure used to be the lighthouse keeper's house which is now into converted into a bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, the lighthouse is nowhere to be seen. We were told that we needed to hike up a half mile to reach it. As I have mentioned earlier, it was starting to get dark so we ditched the idea. I hope someday, I'll be able to go back to stay in this B&B and hike up to the lighthouse.

This park has it all with freshwater lakes to swim in and giant dunes to hike and play in. It's a…read morepopular park but very large too so you can "get away." Also, getting a day pass allows you to visit other nearby state parks w/o additional fees.

How many park Rangers does it take to help two Canadian gals in a pinch? The answer is 4 but Chris…read morereally went above and beyond to put some extra mustard on it #quickpop #extra tang

What a great little village to stroll around. So many charming shops and lots to see…read more Even a character lowrider.

This park is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it space on Bay Street located between Kitchen Klutter and…read moreMilk & Cookies. I was walking and almost didn't see it, because it's tiny and there are some bushes that shield the gazebo and benches from view. It's a great place to take a moment to rest whilst wandering Bay Street, and in some instances it can allow for a nice bit of solitude. When I was there in December, there was almost no one else around, but it wasn't raining nor was it too cold that I skipped taking a few minutes at this secluded park for myself. If you walk past the gazebo, there's a deck overlooking the Siuslaw river, where at times you might see some of the various animals (birds, otters, etc.) that call the river home. Though I tried, I did not see any otters playing in the water (I'm not sure what their season is). This park is located on what was once the ferry landing, prior to the construction of the Siuslaw River Bridge. I think it's cool that they preserved this area as a park. There is a cool water fountain just outside the park that has three levels for drinking, which is clever and makes it easy for the little ones to have a sip! There's a plaque right by the fountain pointing out that the Oregon Dune Mushers' Mail Run went through here. (As an aside, this is a quirky race that once took place, in part to commemorate a time when the beaches were used as highways--in fact, the beach area between low- and high-tide marks is part of the Oregon highway system.) You can rent the place for various gatherings; special use permits are free, but a permit is required, and the deadline for submission varies based upon the number of attendees so plan accordingly.

This place has it all! Dunes for OHV riding, Snowy Plovers nesting, what feels like endless wild…read moreand empty beach and clean bathrooms. Beach combing is great here too. A couple of campgrounds. Managed by the US Forest Service.

We bought two adult sand sleds from Venomous Sandboards for a trip to the Pismo Beach Dunes a…read morecouple of years ago. Lon provided excellent advice about the sand at our destination, how to apply wax to the sled and what to expect. He is extremely knowledgeable and eager to share his expertise. Our sleds and wax arrived on time, and following his directions, we had an absolute blast! Now, a couple of years later, we are heading to the dunes near Morro Bay. We couldn't find the wax we originally purchased, so we needed to quickly reorder before our trip. Once again, Lon came through. He personally followed up to ensure timely delivery and gave me a refresher on the wax instructions and what to expect. Venomous Sandboards is an outstanding company and it is evident that the owner and employees care about their customers' experiences. If you're planning a trip to the dunes, I highly recommend Venomous Sandboards and Sand Master Park Sandboarding & Store in Florence, Oregon!

Important Note: This is a cash-only business -- and unfortunately, that's not listed on their…read morewebsite. When we first visited to rent a sandboard or sled, the woman at the counter was surprisingly unfriendly, which made the experience a bit uncomfortable. We went through all the rental questions and paperwork, only to find out at the end that they only accept cash , no Venmo, Zelle options...and there's no ATM on site. It was very inconvenient, especially since this important detail wasn't mentioned online. Thankfully, my son was still able to get a board in the end, but the process could have been much smoother with clearer communication and a more welcoming attitude.

This is the most special place ever. We've been visiting for 4 summers now. It's like an old school…read morecamp for all ages. During the summer season the resort hosts Dance Night, Movie Night and "Feed The Beach" on Saturdays when they provide a yummy lunch for everyone. It's owned by the nicest family. We've stayed in the cabins as well as the RV spots. The beach and the lake are gorgeous at all times of the year. The town of Florence is a 10 minute drive with high quality restaurants. There is a Fred Meyer 5 minutes away if you need to shop. Highly recommended. 10/10.

This place is beautiful and peaceful. Our cabin was clean and fully stocked on kitchen equipment,…read moreincluding wine glasses! The bed and bedding were like a cloud of happiness! I honestly never wanted to leave. The ONLY reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because of the phone service. I tried calling several times to ask some questions before booking. I even left a message and got no call back. The booking company was able to answer some things though. But when I tried calling from the kitchen of the cabin to ask about dishwasher detergent, I couldn't get an answer then either. I would definitely return!!

Awesome experience!!!! Rented the kayaks for the day and got to be immersed in a beautiful…read morelandscape where dunes meet the forest. The water was extremely calm and we saw many creatures in their natural habitat. We didn't make it all the way to the beach, but if we were there earlier we would want to try that. Next time! Definitely recommend this experience if you're in the area.

The only words to describe the Yurt rental is "magical". Okay, I could probably come up with more…read morelike "amazing" or "private oasis" but you get the point. I am on a 5 week road trip/camping trip with my kids and we have been camping all over the PNW and CA. This has been my favorite stop of the trip and had I known it was going to be this magical, I would've booked a week instead of 3 days. The check in process was amazing. They give you the code and you go to your Yurt which is away from everyone else at the campground. You have your own little dock, backyard, outdoor cooking area, sunroom with a shower, and the Yurt itself is like a home/suite-like hotel room but in a Yurt. After a long day of driving, being able to just go to your room and walk right in, especially with young kids in the car, is such an added bonus. I've literally felt like I've had the place to myself these last few days and it's heavenly. Being away from it all means my kids aren't bothering anyone when they're out playing at 6:00 in the morning, and we've been sleeping like logs by 9:00 because it's so quiet --aside from the relaxing sound of water and birds. I'm pretty sure this is my new favorite place. It's so much better than the website depicts and I am absolutely staying here again. I imagine this place books up rather quickly. I got lucky and booked it 7 months ago with no problems. You can kayak (included) to Siltcoos lake OR the ocean. The added gate to keep kids in and away from the dock is such a thoughtful touch and kept my anxiety at bay knowing my twins wouldn't wander off.

This botanical garden has become a traditional stop while traveling along highway 101. It's a…read moreperfect place to get out and stretch your legs or use the facilities. The walk to the Cobra Lilies, aka Pitcher Plants isn't long at all, maybe a quarter mile round trip. It's a beautiful walk through trees to a boardwalk through the Darlingtonia garden. We've never been when they're in bloom, but they are definitely something interesting to see any time of year. I would highly recommend!

If you are headed to Honeyman or Heceta, this reserve is just one minute off the side of Highway…read more101 between those two parks. Darlingtonia is the only Oregon State Park dedicated to protecting one single species: the Darlingtonia. The only plant in this species is the Cobra Lily, which is the only pitcher plant native to Oregon. (In other words, this state park exists to protect the cobra lilies that grow here.) The reserve is small, but definitely worth checking out. A short accessible boardwalk crosses a bog filled with several hundred, if not a few thousand, cobra lilies. The 'pitcher' part of the plant, which is the part that resembles a cobra, is visible year round. In spring, it puts up yellow and purple flowers. Many of these flowers dry in place, and are still somewhat visible in winter. Even without the flowers in bloom, the pitchers themselves are neat and pretty to look at. There is no fee to visit Darlingtonia. The small parking area only has room for about ten cars or so, but it takes less than fifteen minutes to walk through.

We rented a home on Mercer lake through them July 11-13. We arrived to broken out window which I…read moreimmediately documented and it took them several hours to reply. We got eaten alive by mosquitoes coming thru the busted out window both nights. Before arrival I had asked if we needed to provide propane for the grill they talk about that is there. They assured me they had propane. Tank was empty. Was promised if I got a refill in town and provided receipt they would refund me. It's been days and no refund and now the main branch of vacasa can't seem to get any answers out of the Florence team. While the house itself and location was beautiful the team running it seems to lack care or any consideration. I am furious we paid so much and yet they can't seem to stand up to their promises. Should they follow through I will happily rewrite my review. Until then, step it up Vacasa! Ps- Molly, I do not see a way to DM you, or I would love to. Is there a way to contact you directly?

I booked a condo in old town Florence for a couple of days while I'm working on my home in…read moreFlorence. On the morning of our check in date I hadn't received any information on the address or check in process so I called Vacassa and they emailed me the information. I was told I could check in early but I was turned away at the door by maintenance, who said check in time is 4:00 and I needed to go away until then. Once we checked in I was planning to set up appointments and work with service providers while in town, but there was no internet so that messed up my work plans. I called the host to inform them of the lack of internet, TV and heat in one of the bedrooms. They said someone from management would get back to me that evening. No one did. I texted the host in the morning to let them know that there was no internet, TV or heat. Someone came out in the afternoon and fixed the heat. Later that afternoon they called me and had ME talk to Spectrum to fix the internet. What host has their guests fix problems with the rental?? Wifi and TV are listed on their ad as essential amenities. Lack of heat is a health and safety violation. My complaints went un-addressed. Don't stay at their properties!