Oregon’s Adventure Coast features a relaxed and rustic atmosphere ideal for anyone seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of the “real world”. Charleston is known for its charming marina, fishing, friendly merchants, beautiful beaches and a distinctly charismatic local community.
Here are some of our favorite recommendations we have for visitors to our area.
1.Visit the 6,000-square-foot Charleston Marine Life Center, located on the campus of UO’s Institute of Marine Biology. The museum features permanent exhibits including a Marine Ecosystem Gallery, an Underwater Oregon Gallery (where after just a few minutes exploring, you’re likely to see a multitude of marine life you may have never known existed) and an Oregon Fisheries Gallery (an open-air deck where visitors can see fishing vessels coming and going from the harbor). Visit oimb.uoregon.edu for more info.
<li>Take a walk and watch the surfers on <a href="http://oregonsadventurecoast.com/listings/bastendorff-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bastendorff Beach</a> or search for natural treasures in tidepools in the protected beach in <a href="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=70" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sunset Bay State Park</a>.</li>
<li>Don't miss the holiday lights and all-seasons garden at <a href="http://www.shoreacres.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shore Acres State Park</a> (also one of the <a href="https://whalespoken.wordpress.com/"><em>Whale</em> Watching <em>Spoken Here</em>® </a> sites December 27th-31st).</li>
<li>Be sure to look for sea lions, harbor seals, and occasional elephant seals in the viewing area overlooking <a href="http://www.oregonsadventurecoast.com/listings/shell-island/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shell Island</a>.</li>
<li>From the overlook head south to the end of the roadway at <a href="http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=66" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cape Arago State Park</a>. This is a prime place to view migrating California gray whales. And watch for black oystercatchers and other birds feeding in the sea spray along the rocks. On a clear day, you can see for miles north and south.</li>
Visit www.OregonsAdventureCoast.com for all more relaxing and exciting adventures along the Oregon Coast!