Oregon Dunes
40 miles of dunes, many over 300 feet high begin in Florence and stretch to the North Bend area.   Plenty of recreational activities can be found on these massive dunes, from horseback riding to dune buggy tours.  Take a walk on the many trails through the dunes or view the wavelike mounds, that sit among little forested islands, through enclosed viewing platforms at the Dunes Overlook south of town.

 

Sea Lion Caves
The Guiness Book of World Records has recently confirmed Sea Lion Caves as the largest sea caves in the world.  It is the only known remaining home of wild stellar sea lions on the North American mainland and has attracted people from all over the world since its opening 65 years ago to the public.  11 miles north of Florence, open 9:00 am,
(541) 547-3111

 

Heceta Head Lighthouse
Found at Devil's Elbow State Park, this is a popular beach and picnic area north of Florence.  Tide pools and tiny sea caves are filled with shells, sea anemones, star fish and mussels.  A trail leads to the lighthouse and keeper's house with daily tours during the summer and on weekends the rest of the year.  

 

Old Town
 

This quaint fishing village is situated on the banks of the Siuslaw River and has been beautifully restored in colorful themes reminiscent of the Victorian era.  Numerous restaurants, art galleries, clothing and specialty shops; candies and T-Shirt shops are mixed among Gazebo Park and the new Boardwalk overlooking the fishing docks. 

 

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum
Come now and enter through a door that leads to yesteryear..." and experience our coastal heritage at the Pioneer Museum.  Included are an old Indian Dugout canoe in the center of the main floor, an old kitchen cook stove, blacksmith's bellows, and steam engine. Docents explain the use and significance of the variety of artifacts of coastal Native and Pioneer history on display.  Maple & 2nd Old Town  Open 12:00 - 4:00, Tuesday

 

Siuslaw River Bridge
This magnificent span of beautiful architecture crosses the Siuslaw River just south of Florence.  Built in the 1930's, it is another example of a McCullough bridge of which there are many up and down Hwy 101. 

 

Darlingtonia Botanical Wayside

This roadside area was created to preserve and show a rare carnivorous plant which grows in Southern Oregon and Northern California coastal areas, known also as the Pitcher Plant or Cobra Lilly. Located 5 miles north of Florence on Hwy. 101, the 18 acre park has a loop trail overlooking patches of brilliant green Darlingtonia. The plant traps the insects with their fragrant smell, where the insect then falls to the bottom of the plant stem and is digested.

 

Cape Perpetua
The highest point on the Oregon Coast, with a spectacular view, is at Cape Perpetua.  The Visitor's Center is open daily from May until October and weekends during the winter, and features movies, exhibits and an observation area for whale-watching.  The Child And Parent Environmental (CAPE), are two-hour-long nature programs and range from hikes to identify edible plants to bird-watching.     You can drive or hike to the top of Cape Perpetua and walk the Trail of the Whispering Spruce or Devil’s Churn where mighty waves are driven into a narrow fissure.