Happy 123rd, North Bend: A Local's Guide to Oregon's Adventure Coast

North Bend, Oregon, turns 123 this month, and to honor the occasion, let’s get to know the town that anchors the north end of Coos Bay!

North Bend, Oregon , part of Oregon’s Adventure Coast, has a special history and character of its own. Shipping tycoon Louis J. Simpson founded North Bend in 1903, naming it for its location on the bay’s north bend. But the town’s story stretches back thousands of years before Simpson ever arrived.

Native communities lived on this land well before European settlers showed up roughly 400 years ago. Walk the streets downtown, and you’ll find that layered history everywhere, from Indigenous sites to the logging and maritime industries that built the modern town.

North Bend is home to Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) , the only commercial airport on the Oregon Coast offering direct flights to San Francisco (SFO) and seasonal service to Denver (DEN). It is also known for the famous Conde B. McCullough Memorial Bridge , a National Register landmark that has spanned the bay since the 1930s, as well as local parks, national lands, and countless independent businesses and restaurants that give this community a unique vibe that stays with visitors long after the trip is over.

Here are some highlights to add to your itinerary for next time you visit North Bend on Oregon’s Adventure Coast.

Stay in a Local Hotel

When it comes to lodging properties , North Bend visitors have options! Visitors who call and book a new two-night stay at one of our participating hotels before July 31, 2026, for stays between now and Sept 20, 2026 will receive a $75 VISA Gift Card to help fill their tanks! No contests. No raffles. No catch (other than the fish)! Click here to learn about our $75 Summer Fuel Freebie! Here are three of our participating properties in North Bend:

Itty Bitty Inn - Featuring quirky retro charm, themed rooms, vintage record players, and Atari consoles inviting playful nostalgia. With just five comfy rooms, this little gem is not your average hotel stay; it’s an experience! Each room is carefully curated to give guests a sense of local beach life, culture, and whimsy.

Ko-Kwel Casino Resort (formerly The Mill Casino)- Enjoy waterfront lodging, dining with a view as well as 600+ slots, Vegas-style table games, and Oregon’s most rewarding player’s club. Free WiFi, pool, hot tub & pets welcome.

Quality Inn & Suites at Coos Bay - Just a mile from Southwest Oregon Regional Airport, Quality Inn & Suites at Coos Bay is a comfortable home base for exploring Oregon’s Adventure Coast. Spacious rooms and suites open onto quiet courtyard views, and mornings start with free hot breakfast before you head out to explore. Unwind in the hot tub or fitness center and hop the free shuttle straight to Ko-Kwel Casino Resort for a night of gaming.

Click here to explore other lodging properties, RV Parks and Campgrounds in North Bend

Explore the Oregon Dunes

The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area stretches 40 miles along the coast here, the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America, with mountains of sand rising up to 500 feet. Adventure seekers can go off-road ATVing, hiking, horseback riding, and camping.

The largest riding area on the Oregon Dunes is between Spinreel Campground and Horsfall Road, just a few miles north of North Bend and Coos Bay. For a truly unique Oregon coast adventure, rent an ATV and go for a thrilling ride ; ATVs can be rented from local businesses like Spinreel Dune Buggy with advance reservations. Check out Steve’s ATV and Dune Bug Rentals as well.

If you prefer to explore on foot or wildlife spotting, the Bluebill Trail inside the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a great option! This mostly flat, 1.2-mile loop is perfect for bird-watching and features a raised boardwalk that offers great views of the 60-acre lake and wetlands.

Have a Beachy Day

For a slower pace, head to Horsfall Beach and the North Spit , a secluded stretch of shoreline widely considered one of the best beach strolls in the West. This beautiful, secluded beach is located within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, with plenty of parking, uninterrupted beach, and other natural amenities. Horsfall Beach is a local favorite for long walks, fishing, beachcombing, and even tidepooling. If you time your visit right, you just might be able to find the wreck of the Sujameco , a ship that went down crossing the Coos Bay bar in a 1929 storm. Read more about Undeveloped Beaches on Oregon’s Adventure Coast .

Parks Worth the Detour

North Bend’s parks are worth a stop too. Simpson Park , named for the city’s founder, holds a playground and picnic area with sweeping bay views. Ferry Road Park , located between the McCullough Bridge and downtown, is known not just for its views of the bay and a 9-hole disc golf course that weaves through forested areas and sections of the park, but it also has picnic areas, walking trails, open fields, a playground, and a small beach area. Exploring local parks is a great way to unwind and get into the laid-back spirit of Oregon’s Adventure Coast.

Explore North Bend’s Local Businesses

Downtown North Bend rewards exploration on foot. Start at the North Bend Visitor Information Center and ask about its historic walking tour , which passes murals, plaques, and buildings tied to the town’s logging and maritime past, along with the heritage of the Indigenous peoples, such as the Coquille Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians , who have inhabited the land for thousands of years.

Break up the walk with stops at local shops like Books by the Bay, Fat Cat Antiques, Boardwalk Bubbles, The Wood Anvil, Sweet Street - Bobalicious, and ManCave 101 Memorabilia or browse the Pony Village Mall. Find a mapped list of restaurants, public spaces, retail, and entertainment in our walkable downtowns in Coos Bay and North Bend Downtown Walking Maps by clicking here.

Local “Hang-Outs”

Visitors can get a true feeling for our region by spending time in some of the North Bend gathering spots like 350 Degrees on Sherman Ave, ​​Black Anchor Coffee House on Broadway Ave and Ezekiel’s Tin Rooster Sherman Avenue - all offering a welcoming community vibe, fresh pastries, and delicious coffee drinks in casual settings.

If you are heading out in the evening, we recommend catching a show at The Liberty Theatre – Home of Little Theatre on the Bay , the second oldest continuous acting group in Oregon, throwing a strike at North Bend Lanes (we recommend you reserve a lane ahead of time to guarantee a spot) or grab a drink or a quick bite at The Back Alley Pub & Grill - located inside of North Bend Lanes, try your luck at Ko-Kwel Casino Resort , or grab a nightcap and live music at North Forty Brewing or Wildflour Public House .

Eat Your Way Through Town

North Bend eats well, too. Clausen Oysters serves fresh seafood pulled straight from the bay just steps from where you’ll eat it, with bay views to match. Scoops Handmade Ice Cream turns out more than 60 small-batch flavors, from Rocky Road to Wildflower Honey Lavender. NoBe Taphouse and Food Cart Pod has a great lineup of local vendors, craft cocktails, and live music under one open-air roof, and Vinny’s Smokin' Good Burgers (as seen on All Across Oregon !) piles on double patties, pulled pork, and sautéed mushrooms for a burger locals swear by.

Visitors love Wildflour Public House for its fresh, simple, crave-worthy dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, and The Tin Thistle Café for its Celtic-themed, whole-foods vegan menu. Hilltop House offers a bit of old-school nostalgia, with seafood and steaks, and views of the bay, while breakfast at Pancake Mill and chowder at Captain’s Choice Fish House are other North Bend staples.

Make the Trip

Looking for more ideas and inspiration? Visit our featured adventures andtrip ideas pages for more travel tips, or contact the Coos Bay – North Bend – Charleston Visitor & Convention Bureau at info@oregonsadventurecoast.com .