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You are here: Home / Destinations / Florence, Oregon: Sea Lions, Sand Dunes and Sun

Florence, Oregon: Sea Lions, Sand Dunes and Sun

09/20/14 | Destinations, North America, Oregon, USA


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Florence, Oregon lies on the mouth of the Siuslaw River, approximately half way down the Oregon Coast. We spent our third night on the Oregon Coast in Florence, Oregon. The two previous towns were a bit of a let down, but Florence was a great surprise. For a small town, there is surprisingly a lot of things to do and check out. The city has a has a small old town area with a promenade and marina. It’s a small, quaint and full of charming buildings. I couldn’t help but revel in the cuteness of it all.

Florence Old Town Street

Florence Oregon Seat

Don’t mind if I do.

Florence Oregon Shops

Florence Fountain

Love this fountain!

Florence Oregon House

I wouldn’t mind living here.

Florence Oregon Front Porch

Or here…

Florence Oregon Beach Rules

Rules I can live by

Florence Oregon Childrens PFD

I almost felt like I was in the wild wild west. Minus the wild. The buildings just had that shape.

Florence Kyle and Sons

Florence The Captain's Lady

Florence The Chicken Coop

We stumbled upon a tiny park.

Florence Oregon Old Town Park

Florence Oregon Park Light

Perhaps we’re off to Narnia? All it needs is a park bench. And maybe some snow.

Complete with its own gazebo.

Florence Oregon Park Bench

And great views of the Siuslaw River.

Florence Bridge

Florence Oregon Seagull

Florence Siuslaw River

The city is right on the edge of the Oregon Dunes National Park, a fact that didn’t seem real until you actually see the sand. We were driving over the bridge and to our right there was a huge pile of sand that dropped off suddenly into the water.

Florence Sand Dunes Edge

Can you spot the sand under the bridge?

What Seaside, Oregon lacked, Florence had in bucket loads and I finally realized what was missing in Seaside. Charm. Old school charm. With a bit of history thrown in.

Do:

Sea Lion Caves – North of Florence along Highway 101 are the sea lion caves. We attempted to go, but they were closed due to a malfunctioning elevator.

Sand dunes tour – Easily one of the best experiences on the whole trip. It was so much fun! Stay tuned for a full post on the experience.

Heceta Head Lighthouse – Explore this restored lighthouse that dates back to 1894.

Eat:

Florence Oregon Homegrown

Homegrown Public House – This restaurant boasts of a farm to table approach to food using produce, meats and seafood from the Northwest. They offer local craft beers and drinks as well as a seasonal menu and daily specials. We came here for dinner and it was a pleasant affair.

Waterfront Deport Restaurant – Another highly recommended option with a similar approach to food. Its cuisine is a mix of Pacific Northwest food and Indonesian flavours. Reservations are recommended.

BJ’s Ice Cream Parlour – Who doesn’t want ice cream during the warm summer months? Stop for an ice cream before going on a stroll down the river.

Have you visited any charming small towns lately? Which ones surprised you?

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« Impressions of Seaside, Oregon
A Cheesy Time at the Tillamook Cheese Factory »

Comments

  1. Brittany @ Paws for Beer says

    September 20, 2014 at 10:49 PM

    Looks like a pretty cute town. Can’t wait to read about your trip to the sand dunes!

  2. Jessica @ Independent Travel Cats says

    September 21, 2014 at 2:07 AM

    Looks like a really fun small town in Oregon with plenty of things to do!

  3. Lisa says

    September 21, 2014 at 5:00 AM

    That reminds me of the time we visited Florence on a road trip from the California coast to the Columbia river gorge. It was a cute town and we had great food there.

  4. Anna says

    September 21, 2014 at 2:01 PM

    Looks like a cute little town full of old school charm! I love farm to table restaurants too. I can’t wait to hear about the sand dune adventure! I’m still bummed that I didn’t get to do that!

  5. Maria from Nerd Nomads says

    September 21, 2014 at 5:59 PM

    Florence looks like such a nice and cozy little town with relaxed atmosphere. Love those old wooden houses, they are beautiful! I agree, the houses really look a bit like the wild wild west, hehe.

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:08 AM

      Right?! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who sees it. I thought I was being strange…

  6. Emma says

    September 21, 2014 at 7:04 PM

    What a gorgeous place! The houses and buildings are so beautiful! 🙂

  7. Amy @ Amy and the Great World says

    September 21, 2014 at 7:53 PM

    I LOVE the Oregon coast! I haven’t made it to Florence but I will definitely have to now!!!

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:09 AM

      It’s a great home base especially if you like sand dunes and ATVing!

  8. Dennis Kopp says

    September 21, 2014 at 8:26 PM

    It’s funny Adelina because I have just been to Florence in Italy and this small town in Oregon does not seem to have too much resemblance with its namesake, besides the fact that they also have great ice cream. But even if it doesn’t quite look like Tuscany, this Florence still seems to be a nice and charming small town and it’s great to hear that you had such a pleasant stay there… 🙂

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:10 AM

      I think I like the other Florence significantly more, but you’re right, they’re so completely different.

  9. Jess says

    September 22, 2014 at 3:25 AM

    I love charming little towns – and this is definitely a cool one! Those sand dunes look really interesting.

    It’s funny to see the wild-west style false-front buildings in a place that green!

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:11 AM

      Hahaha yes exactly! They felt so out of place, but I bet it wasn’t always this green. I wonder how old the buildings are and if they’re the originals…

  10. Lyn - A Hole in my Shoe says

    September 22, 2014 at 5:13 AM

    What a quaint little place, who knew there was another Florence that doesn’t even share it’s resemblance.

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:11 AM

      Exactly! So surprisingly and so completely different.

  11. Amy Lynne Hayes says

    September 22, 2014 at 2:37 PM

    I LOVE those rules you can live by!! I want that sign in my front window lol. Looks like a perfectly charming seaside town – my favorite kind! 🙂

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:12 AM

      Yes! It’s a pretty cool card. Too bad the store was closed or else I would have picked one up.

  12. Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says

    September 23, 2014 at 5:02 AM

    That is an adorable little town. I can just picture myself spending a few days there relaxing. I can’t wait to read about the sand dunes.

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:12 AM

      I don’t know if I could spend more than a day here. It’s so very sleepy and small! I was definitely ready to leave by the time I left.

  13. Rachel@safari254 says

    September 23, 2014 at 6:49 PM

    I wouldn’t mind living in Florence Oregon too, the town seems so serene and charming ….

  14. Christa says

    September 23, 2014 at 7:19 PM

    Hi it’s Christa, host of the Sunday Traveler, I just wanted to pop in and say thanks for joining in on the fun! Great photos! I love your list of things to do and places to eat. The little town is adorable I would definitely visit!

  15. Sammi Wanderlustin' says

    September 24, 2014 at 5:05 PM

    This place really reminds me of a setting of a book i read, kind of cute and oldsy 🙂

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:16 AM

      Which book does it remind you of?

  16. Laia | colibrist says

    September 26, 2014 at 5:51 PM

    Didn’t know there was another Florence… and it looks very interesting! Looking forward to the sand dunes… I like a lot small charming villages 🙂

  17. Joseff says

    September 30, 2014 at 11:16 AM

    Oh, I just love to travel and visit a lot of different beach resorts all over the world. Now, this is another beauty to explore.

    • Adelina says

      October 3, 2014 at 12:39 AM

      Yes, definitely! Though this city doesn’t have a direct beach, there are plenty nearby. There are also tons of other coastal towns with beautiful beaches.

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Welcome to Pack Me To!

Adelina is a part time traveler, exploring the world despite having a full-time job. Pack Me To is a collection of stories from her travels and adventures around the world as she packs you to destinations around the world with her.

Adelina has been traveling for as long as she can remember and has lived abroad in the Netherlands and Hungary. She loves telling stories, and eating and exploring her way around the world. Come along for the ride. Read More…

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