10 Fun Things to Do in Gold Beach
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Gold Beach, Oregon, is close to a whole lot of incredible scenery and just about nothing else. A little under six hours from Portland and just over seven from San Francisco, the town’s remote location means that during peak tourist season, you can get a parking spot in places so pretty they’ll make a grown man weep. After passing through Gold Beach several times on road trips, I recently went for the first time as a dedicated visit. The natural beauty surrounding the town was the highlight of the trip, especially the famous and photogenic Samuel Boardman Corridor. A great bonus was the friendliness of the people I met. It may be a hard place to get to, but it’s harder to leave. Here are the best things to do in Gold Beach.
1. South Beach and Kissing Rock
Kissing Rock
One of Gold Beach's main charms is that it runs along South Beach, a 5-mile stretch of sandy coastline between the outlet of the Rogue River and the cliffs of Cape Sebastian. From anywhere in town, you’re never far from the ocean. The Gold Beach Visitor Center has easy beach access with free parking. The most interesting part of the beach is less than a mile south at Kissing Rock, where a monolith rises unexpectedly from miles of unbroken sand. You’ll see it looming next to Highway 101 at the south end of Gold Beach. From what I can tell, the origin of the name has been lost to time. I expected the rock to look like it’s kissing something. It doesn’t. It does have a romantic feel that would make it a good spot for a rendezvous. If you visit Gold Beach in April, keep an eye out for one of the hidden glass floats. Much like Finders Keepers in Lincoln City, organizers place over 1,000 glass floats on South Beach for visitors to find.
2. Otter Point State Recreation Site
Otter Point
About five minutes north of Gold Beach, Otter Point State Recreation Site is one of the Oregon Coast’s most spectacular hidden gems. The centerpiece is Otter Point, a tall and narrow sandstone peninsula surrounded by rugged sea stacks and a sea arch. On a clear day, you can see over 100 miles of coastline from the end of the peninsula. Take care near the edges of the cliffs, which are unfenced and crumble easily. On either side of Otter Point are uncrowded beaches. Agate Beach is a small cove on the north side that you reach by a scramble trail. To the south is the long and sandy Bailey Beach, which extends to the mouth of the Rogue River. There’s a good chance you’ll have both to yourself. The parking area for Otter Point is off Old Coast Rd, which runs parallel to Highway 101. Find it by navigating to “Otter Point Parking” in Google Maps.
Learn more about Otter Point State Recreation Site.
3. Cape Sebastian
Views from Cape Sebastian
When looking south from Gold Beach, Cape Sebastian is the towering peak you see in the distance. At around 700 feet, it’s the highest overlook on the southern Oregon Coast you can reach by paved road. The two viewpoints at the top of the cape are a 10-minute drive from Gold Beach. The south viewpoint is the more impressive of the two. It’s also the start of the Cape Sebastian Trail that descends to Hunter’s Cove on the cape’s south side. Even if you aren’t looking to tackle the steep 3.5-mile out-and-back hike, starting the trail will bring you to incredible views of the coastline to the north, including Gold Beach, in less than a quarter mile. The fenced viewpoint, a half mile from the parking lot, is another good turnaround point for an easy hike with a big payoff.
Learn more about hiking at Cape Sebastian.
4. Samuel Boardman Corridor
Natural Bridges
The Samuel Boardman Corridor is the main attraction near Gold Beach, and arguably the most beautiful place on the Oregon Coast. This wild and undeveloped stretch of coastline has old-growth conifer forests on ancient sandstone cliffs where waves crash and churn. Its remote location keeps the stunning beaches almost deserted. I have it as fourth on the list of things to do near Gold Beach only because it’s a little farther outside town. The northern boundary is about 15 minutes south on Highway 101. The drive down is half the point. After the viewpoints at Cape Sebastian, you’ll pass the photogenic sea stacks at Meyers Creek and Pistol River. If you have a packed road-trip itinerary, the viewpoints in the Samuel Boardman Corridor are quick and easy stops with big rewards. Hiking sections of the Oregon Coast Trail will take you to more spectacular scenery.
Learn more about the best stops in the Samuel Boardman Corridor.
5. Sisters Rock State Park
Sisters Rock
About 20 minutes north of Gold Beach, Sisters Rock State Park is one of the most underrated places on the Oregon Coast. Three peaks rise from the rugged shoreline along Highway 101. Two are at the end of a peninsula, the third is an island just offshore. An easy, 0.5-mile hike leads to the base of the peaks. Beach peas and lupines bloom along the trail in summer. The hike ends at the cavernous sea cave inside the base of the largest peak, where waves roll in from hidden channels through the rock. Long and deserted beaches stretch out on either side of the Sisters. Looking north, you can see as far as Cape Blanco on clear days. The beach on the south side has remnants of the shipping dock that stood here in the late 1800s.
Learn more about Sisters Rock State Park.
6. Mary D Hume shipwreck and bridge trail
Mary D Hume shipwreck
Up until now, I haven’t been worried about overselling any of the things to do in Gold Beach, but I feel like I should set some expectations about the Mary D Hume shipwreck. After seeing cool pictures of it online, I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw it in person. It’s looking rough these days. If you’re interested in a relaxing, low-key excursion in town, I’d still say it’s worth a visit. The shipwreck has some interesting history that you can read about on the sign at the viewing area. Looking inland, you see the Art Deco bridge at the entrance to Gold Beach. Starting from the shipwreck, a short paved trail follows the Rogue River to the bridge, with many animal sightings along the way. Seabirds float on the water. Seals swim near shore. A heron was wading in front of a dock where a sea lion lounged when I visited.
7. See the Rogue River
Rogue River
My favorite things to do in Gold Beach are on the ocean, but the Rogue River is a tempting side trip, especially if you have at least a few days in town. After flowing over 200 miles from the southern Cascade Mountains, the Rogue empties into the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach. Besides scenic beauty, it’s known for its large numbers of salmon and steelhead. Exploring the Rogue River can mean anything from a quick stop to a multi-day excursion. One of the most popular activities in Gold Beach from May to October is taking a jet boat tour up the Rogue. Tours begin at the Gold Beach harbor and, depending on which you pick, might include lunch at a wilderness lodge, whitewater, or accessing areas not open to cars. Other (cheaper) ways of exploring would be hiking along the Rogue River Trail or taking a scenic drive up Jerry’s Flat Rd. Or, head to Groundlings Pizza in Gold Beach, which has river views from the tables inside and the large outdoor patio.
8. Gold Beach Books & Art Gallery
Gold Beach Books
Since Gold Beach gets a lot of rainy days, it’s a good idea to plan for some indoor things to do. I’d say that the best is a visit to Gold Beach Books & Art Gallery. The upper level of the 2-story shop is devoted to used books of all genres, with everything from $2 paperbacks to some rare finds and first editions. The lower level has more books, plus a mix of art and souvenirs with good browsing potential, like paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and greeting cards. Downstairs also has a cafe, where you can grab coffee and a pastry to enjoy with your book while you wait out the rain showers.
9. Try the restaurants
Groundlings Pizza
Gold Beach is a small town with enough of a critical mass to support a decent variety of restaurants. Here are some great places to eat.
My favorite spot is Groundlings Pizza, which has delicious and creative wood-fired pizzas, great vibes, and beautiful Rogue River views.
A close second is Hunter Creek Bar & Grill, a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant at the south end of town. After a day spent hiking, it feels like heaven to sit on the back patio with a beer and something fried while you watch the ducks swim in Hunter Creek.
Spinner’s Restaurant is a cozy and romantic spot on the upscale side. It’s a great place to go for a special occasion.
Casita de Oro has excellent food at very reasonable prices. I’d say it’s best as a takeout place. The space inside is cute but small and doesn’t serve alcohol.
10. Prehistoric Gardens
Pterodactyl sighting at Prehistoric Gardens
If you lose navigation on the way to Prehistoric Gardens, don’t worry. There’s no missing the giant T. rex next to Highway 101. With a forest full of dinosaur statues, Prehistoric Gardens has all the makings of a quirky roadside attraction, and mostly it is. You see enough colorful, full-scale dinosaurs on the 20-minute walk to feel like you got your money’s worth. Yet, the old-growth forest also makes it something more than a kid-friendly road-trip stop. Moss covers the thick, soaring trunks of ancient Sitka spruce trees. Ferns along the walking path rise above shoulder level. When I first saw Oregon’s coastal forests years ago, I immediately thought of dinosaurs. The moss, ferns, and conifers were the spitting image of an illustration of the first forests in my old evolutionary biology textbook. The dinosaurs at Prehistoric Gardens may be a little hokey, but I can’t say they look out of place.
Adult admission to Prehistoric Gardens is $16. The unpaved walking path is flat and easy, and has a few benches along the way. You can borrow a stroller during your visit. The trail doesn’t have barriers like steps, but it gets too narrow to accommodate most wheelchairs.
Where to stay in Gold Beach
Jot’s Resort overlooks the Rogue River where it empties into the ocean. Amenities include a pool and a hot tub. You can find some great deals on rooms in the off-season.
The Wildflower Inn is a hidden gem with a lot of charm. Beach access is just across Highway 101.
For a special occasion, the Tu Tu Tun Lodge is a peaceful resort a few miles up the Rogue River. Amenities include a pool, spa, and restaurant serving table-to-table cuisine.
Getting there
Gold Beach is in a remote part of the southern Oregon Coast, about 5.5 hours south of Portland. You’ll need a car to get there and to explore the area.
Best things to do in Gold Beach, the summary:
South Beach and Kissing Rock
Otter Point State Recreation Site
Cape Sebastian
Samuel Boardman Corridor
Sisters Rock State Park
Mary D Hume shipwreck and the bridge trail
See the Rogue River
Gold Beach Books & Art Gallery
Try the restaurants
Prehistoric Gardens
Enjoy your trip to Gold Beach!
With love,
Emma
Explore nearby
Find the best things to do in Brookings.
Find the best stops in the Samuel Boardman Corridor.
For a unique way of exploring the Samuel Boardman Corridor, try a kayak tour from Secret Beach.
