Bandon, OR

Address:Bandon, Oregon

With a small population of 2,900, Bandon, Oregon, is a little town with lots of charm. Known as the "little jewel on the Oregon Coast," Bandon is a premier location for golfing, water sports, and myrtlewood manufacturing. Tourists love Bandon for its fun activities and beautiful weather year round.

If you are a fan of Myrtlewood, then you will not want to miss out on opportunities to see its manufacturing. The Myrtlewood Factory will show you how it utilizes all aspects of the Myrtle tree for products such as walking sticks, perfume, and furniture, and visitors can order items to be shipped home. Woods of the West offers tours of the factory. Get some wooden keychains made for you on the spot—these great souvenirs make great presents for family and friends back home! Zumwalt's Myrtlewood Factory is another great place to order unique wooden gifts.

Other places to shop include Bandon Card & Gift, Bandon Mercantile & Timeless Accents, Big Wheel General Store, Jailhouse Rocks, and Kelly Creations, all of which offer unique mementos such as Native American items, homemade jams, T-shirts, jewelry, and more. At Bandon's many independent stores you will find other great opportunities to buy unique items such as homemade furniture, antiques, clothing, and books. If you like art, visit the 2nd Street Gallery, which is the largest gallery on the Oregon Coast, the Bandon Glass & Art Studio, which is a blown glass hot shop and glass art gallery, The Light Rain Gallery, which features contemporary African Art, SAGE Gallery, with monthly features of local artists, and Whisky Run Jewelry, with a large selection of wood carvings, fossils, minerals, shells and corals. Don't forget, there is no sales tax in Oregon!

For some local history, visit the Bandon Historical Society Museum, with displays dating back to the earliest pioneers, including the Big Bandon Fire of 1936. Tours are also available at "The Lighthousekeeper," a demonstration of how old lighthouses used to function—a unique treat for the kids!

Golfing is the main attraction in Bandon, with famous golf courses such as Flannagan's Golf Tours, Bandon Face Rock Golf Course, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and Bandon Crossing's Golf Course, all of which offer challenging courses and convenient booking with packages available. If you forget your clubs, equipment is available at Bandon Golf Supply.

Other fun outdoors activities include windsurfing, surfing, jet skiing, and boating on the water. Equipment rentals are available, as well as guided ventures. Several outdoor gardens are also worth a visit: At Lavender Lady Farm you can enjoy the delicious scent and beauty of fresh lavender, at The Prehistoric Gardens you can explore a "lost world" of replicas of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals and plants, and at the Shore Acres Park, you can enjoy lushly planted gardens of exotic plants. Equestrians will enjoy the Bandon Beach Riding Stables, which offers a trip along North Beach, and sunset rides in the summer. Families will enjoy the West Coast Game Park, with over 450 animals and birds and a walk-through the Safari.

At night check out The Mill Casino, which offers live entertainment and games. Several local theaters also offer regular performances, so check the show schedules at the Bandon Playhouse, Bandon Showcase, New Artists Productions, and The Sprague Community Theater.

Bandon has great dining selections for every meal, drink, and snack. For breakfast, go to the Brandon Baking Co. & Deli for fresh pastries and for lunch try the specials at Billy Smoothboar's. For dinner there are many fine dining options, including the Alloro Wine Bar & Restaurant for authentic Italian food, Bandon Dunes Gallery Restaurant & Pub for homemade house specials, or The Wild Rose Bistro for organic healthy choices. Afterwards, stop by Bandon Boatworks Restaurant and Jetty Club Lounge for a cocktail. For family dining, go to Station Restaurant for a casual atmosphere or the Minute Cafe for all-American fare. Bandon also features independent coffee shops, such as Bandon Coffee Café, Brewed Awakenings, and the Human Bean, for fresh coffee and desserts. Don't forget to try some wine at the Girardet Wine Cellars, which is open daily.

Bandon offers many accommodations for a small town, mostly on the beachside. Some favorites include the Bandon Dunes Lodge, with a fantastic view, or the Bailey's Cedar House Bed & Breakfast, a quiet country atmosphere with affordable rates. For a fun outdoor experience, stay at Sterling's Langlois Mountain Retreat, where cozy facilities are nestled within the forest.

Located on the Southern Oregon Coast, Bandon is 90 miles north of California, about a five hours drive from Portland and about nine hours from San Francisco. Shuttle service is available at reasonable rates from North Bend, Bandon and Eugene Airports, and taxi service to and from the airport and Bandon is quick and reliable. So pack up your golf clubs and head to Bandon!