Relax, Restore and Refresh With This Three-Days of Zen Itinerary 

Does the busy pace of life feel a little overwhelming these days? Ready to slow down, relax, and be mindful of the present moment? Are you looking for a special destination where you can take a break and reconnect with yourself and nature? Look no further than Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston. Whether it’s hiking lush coastal forests to see waterfalls, spa treatments, yoga sessions or exploring some of the most iconic natural beauty on the West Coast, there’s plenty of “Zen” to be found around here.

In this post, we’ll highlight our most Zen-like experiences, so you can spend time recharging and refreshing your mental health. Get ready to relax, restore and refresh your outlook during your visit to Oregon’s Adventure Coast. 

Day One 

Afternoon Paddle Boarding

After making the beautiful drive to Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston, you’ll want to suit up and kick off your Zen getaway with some lovely water recreation !  With so many lakes, rivers, ocean bays, and estuaries on Oregon’s South Coast, there are many options to choose from. However, Stand-Up-Paddleboarding is one of our favorite ways to dive into total relaxation.

Where to Rent

If you don’t own a paddleboard, do not worry! You can rent them at various businesses in the Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston area. Here are three to consider contacting: 

• Bahama Boards ** ** 650 Ivy Street ● Coos Bay ● 541-808-3535. Rent kayaks, boogie boards, surfboards, stand up paddleboards, sand boards, PFDs, wetsuits, supplies and more. At the corner of Hwy 101 and Ivy Street. Open Tues-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun by Appt.

• Coastal Kayak and SUP Rentals ** ** 319 North Wall Street ● Coos Bay ● 541-252-9201. Coastal rents recreational kayaks and stand up paddleboards in the Coos Bay area - see the full list of recommended waterways on their website! Single, tandem and fishing kayaks, SUPs, plus life-jackets and paddles. They will deliver and pick up equipment for an extra fee. They also offer tours for groups. All equipment is cleaned and sanitized between rentals.

• Waxer’s Surf Shop 242 S. Broadway ● Coos Bay ● 541-266-9020. Rentals & Sales of Surfboards, Longboards, Skimboards, Paddleboards, Hobie Kayaks, Sandboards, Skateboards, Wetsuits, and accessories. Open Monday-Saturday. Paddleboarding Lesson Packages available.

Where to go Stand-Up Paddleboarding

There is no shortage of lakes, rivers, bays and estuaries for paddleboarders of all skill levels to enjoy. Here are some ideas to choose from: 

• Arrange for a guided tour of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve , a protected area of land and estuary. Stand-Up Paddleboarders are frequently treated to rare views of wildlife that utilize the area, including Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great Blue Herons, Egrets and Belted Kingfishers. 

• You could also head to one of our favorite paddleboarding and kayak destinations, Sunset Bay State Park , featuring beautiful sandy beaches protected by towering sea cliffs. Day-use and picnic facilities are located along the bay to allow easy access for paddleboarders, as well as beachcombing, fishing, swimming, and kayaking. 

• Head to Tenmile Lake in Lakeside, just 15 miles north of Coos Bay. It’s the 4th largest lake in Oregon and has more than 2,000 acres of calm, picturesque water surrounded by mountains and lush natural beauty. In addition to a swimming and wading area, the lakes have multiple boat ramps, a fishing dock, ample parking, picnic tables, and more.

• Try paddleboarding along Coos River or Coquille River - just a few miles from Coos Bay. Watch this video to see more. 

Afternoon Spa Treatment 

After a blissful few hours experiencing the Oregon Coast from the water, head back to the hotel to clean up before heading to your afternoon spa treatments! Get a massage, infusion, mani/pedi or other relaxing service at a local Day Spa. Here are two that we recommend: 

*Be sure to call and make an appointment before your trip to guarantee a session*

• Beautiful You - Medical Spa 1280 N Bayshore Drive. Suite 101 ● Coos Bay ● (541) 297-7546. This medi spa is a combination of an aesthetic medical center and a day spa that provides nonsurgical aesthetic medical services under the supervision of a licensed physician, massages, mani/pedi services, infusions, and more.

• Hair Co. Etc. - Salon & Day Spa   275 Golden Avenue ● Coos Bay ● (541) 269-5223This hair salon and day spa offers hair treatments, mani/pedi services, massage and body treatments, and much more in downtown Coos Bay. Shop their boutique for unique and ecclectic items.

Dinner

After your customized glam session/spa treatment, we recommend heading out for a satisfying dinner at one of our wonderful local eateries serving made-from-scratch dishes with seasonal ingredients like Front Street Provisioners or Wildflour Public House . There is a full list of restaurants to choose from. *Be sure to call ahead and make reservations when possible* 

After dinner, you can’t go wrong with a visit to 7 Devils Taproom or 7 Devils Waterfront Alehouse, before heading back to your hotel to retire for the evening. 

Day Two

Breakfast

Wake up and fuel up for Day Two of total relaxation with a hot breakfast and espresso or other coffee specialty drink at So It Goes Coffeehouse . While you’re there, take some time to walk along the boardwalk and explore some shops and boutiques in downtown Coos Bay, before heading to Golden and Silver Falls. Or bring along your journal and take some time to self-reflect. 

Yoga

After you’ve spent some time fostering a sense of morning peace and calm, it’s time to jump into an a.m. yoga or meditation class! Here are a few local destinations you may want to explore: 

• Charlo Mindfulness Center 1260 N. Bayshore Drive, Suite 204 ● Coos Bay ● (541) 808-2008The Center provides Vinyasa yoga classes, mindfulness courses, personalized coaching, and creative writing workshops, in addition to special events that celebrate the pursuit of creative and mindful connections. All classes are developed to meet the needs of the students present in the class. You do not need any experience or prior classes to participate.

• Downtown Health & Fitness 440 Central Avenue ● Coos Bay ● (541) 267-3948Downtown Health and Fitness aims to provide a clean, safe, and helpful environment. Offering various group fitness classes, including yoga, chair yoga and gentle yoga, these classes are designed to accommodate all ages and fitness levels. The facility includes dressing rooms with lockers and showers. All areas are handicap accessible.

• House of Asana 180 Central Avenue ● Coos Bay ● (541) 252-2434House of Asana is home to a rebel yogi and fitness lover. They provide a range of classes, from slow restorative yoga to fast-paced power yoga classes. Most classes are heated with infrared lights. They offer an unpretentious and results-oriented community invested in your goals and success. Their core values are grit, authenticity, community, and compassion.

• Mossy Lotus 158 Market Avenue ● Coos Bay ● (541) 217-0400With over 20 years of combined experience as field biologists and 30+ years practicing yoga, Daniel and Sailee have both spent thousands of hours in heartfelt connection with Mother Nature, learning and teaching the full practices of yoga to all levels of students. This land, this rugged, wild earth, is their inspiration. It is their passion for living in balance with nature that drives them.

Hike to Golden and Silver Falls 

After you’ve achieved that fresh “I just went to yoga class” glow, head to the grab-and-go deli at Coos Head Food Co-op to pick up a healthy picnic lunch before making the 26-mile drive (approximtely one hour) to the Golden & Silver Falls State Natural area . Not only is it one of the most beloved ‘hidden gems’ in our region, the drive itself is part of the magical Zen-inspired adventure.  

Spend the late morning connecting with your natural surroundings by mindfully walking through dense coastal forests, enjoying stunning river views, majestic Oregon myrtle trees, and spectacular views of the falls.  The best part is you don’t even have to be a skilled or expert hiker to reap the rewards of your journey! Two relatively short hikes lead to the bases of these breathtaking waterfalls shooting out onto boulders a hundred feet below. 

Take a break for lunch at one of the picnic tables near the parking area, then try out the more strenuous hike to the mid-point of Silver Falls and the top of Golden Falls. The views are worth the effort!

Walking mindfully in these natural areas can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost the immune system. Research has shown that spending time in nature can lower levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, and increase levels of serotonin, a hormone associated with happiness and well-being. 

Plan to spend several hours here before heading back into town. 

Dinner 

Grab a take-out dinner from Himalayan Restaurant and Bar or you can even try one of the food trucks at Front Street Food Trucks - Food Court, and head to Sunset Bay State Park for a picnic and beautiful evening stroll as you watch the sun go down. Horsfall Beach (adjacent to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area ), Mingus Park and Simpson Park are also lovely destinations where one can relax and connect with nature. Later that evening, we recommend heading to Back Alley Pub for a fun night of entertainment, along with a brew or two. You earned it!

Day Three 

Breakfast

After so much activity the day prior, you may want to treat yourself to an extra hour or so of sleep before checking out of your hotel. Head over to Green Street Organic Juice Bar or Blue Heron Bistro for a delicious brunch before heading out on one last Zen-inspired adventure on Oregon’s Adventure Coast. 

Cape Arago Beach Loop & Forest Bathing 

A morning drive along the Cape Arago Beach Loop and taking part in some forest bathing (also known as Shinrin-yoku and forest therapy) is the perfect way to conclude your Zen getaway while experiencing the very best of the Oregon Coast. What is forest bathing, you ask? It is the practice of immersing oneself in nature to improve physical and mental health. It involves spending time in forests, parks, or other natural environments and using all five senses to connect with nature, and has been shown to help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost the immune system. 

While driving along the Cape Arago Beach Loop, visitors will have access to beaches and state parks that offer breathtaking vantage points along with views of the famous Oregon Coast seals and sea lions. To get there, hop on Hwy 101 and head west on Newmark Avenue (just south of The Mill Casino). Follow the road until you reach the big curve to the left, taking you onto Cape Arago Hwy. Follow this road into Charleston, once you cross the bridge into Charleston, the road will fork; veer to the right to head for the docks, or veer to the left to follow the Cape Arago Beach Loop. This road will eventually loop back around. 

Shore Acres State Park , with its amazing cliffs and gorgeous botanical gardens, is one of our favorite spots for forest bathing, but visitors can also find peace and mindfulness on the coastal forest trail along the cliffs between Sunset Bay State Park and Cape Arago State Park , Bastendorff Beach , and Yoakam Point . While you are taking in the amazing natural beauty throughout Shore Acres State Park, be sure to explore Simpson Reef and Shell Island .

where you will find crashing waves, migrating whales, and views of hundreds of seals, sea lions, seabirds and other marine wildlife. Bring your binoculars for the best viewing. For complete details, Download our PDF Guide for the Cape Arago Beach Loop

Lunch

As your time on Oregon’s Adventure Coast comes to a close, be sure to grab some fresh seafood at one of our local seafood restaurants like Fisherman’s Market on the Boardwalk . Or, if you prefer, head to North Bend for some irresistible homemade vegetarian and vegan grub at The Tin Thistle - a favorite with visitors and locals alike! If possible, ask to be seated in their outdoor garden patio in the back for a true ‘Zen' like experience. Make sure you try the vegan mac and cheese (some visitors say it’s the best they’ve ever had) and/or one of their to die for burgers - all vegan! It’s the perfect way to wrap up 3 days of Zen-like bliss! 

The towns of Coos Bay, North Bend & Charleston offer plenty of activities, forests, beaches and natural beauty to encourage visitors to practice mindfulness and appreciate the present moment. Now that you’re in the know, let’s help you plan your next trip to Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston! Click here for some unique trip itineraries, and browse through our suggestions as you plan your getaway.

Contact us to get even more tips, as well as the inside scoop, for finding the best local food and activities any time of the year, and visit our Adventure Page for more ideas and inspiration. Download our Visitor Guide (PDF) .