Description

On day 9, of our 31-day road trip, we headed towards our next two destinations of Bandon, OR and Crescent City, CA. Most of our journey to these two locations, was along the route of Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Highway. On day 9, of our 31 day trip, we exited Highway 5 South, at Exit 260, near Salem, Oregon, and headed west on 99E and onto Highway 22 west. After traveling Highway 22 for 31 ½ miles, we headed west on highway 18.

After traveling 30 ½ miles on highway 18, we finally approached the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, at Lincoln City, Oregon, where we headed south along the byway. On day 9 of our road trip, the drive down the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, took us through the towns and sights of Lincoln City, Lincoln Beach, Depoe Bay, Devils Punch Bowl State Park, Agate Beach, Newport, Seal Rock, Waldport, Yachats, Florence, Dunes City, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Reedsport, Lakeside, North Bend, Coos Bay, and Bunker Hill, before stopping for the night in Bandon, Oregon. Our 148 mile trip, down the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, from Lincoln City to Bandon, took a little over 4 ½ hours with stops at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Coos Bay. We spent the night, on day 9, at the Sunset Motel, in Bandon, Oregon, right along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. On day 10, of our 31-day trip, we continued our drive, south on the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, highway 101, from Bandon, OR, all the way to Crescent City, CA. Our trip on the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway on this day took us from Bandon, Oregon, through the towns and sights of Langlois, Sixes, Port Oxford, Gold Beach, Brookings, Harbor, and into California through Smith River and to Crescent City, where we spent the night. The coastal views on this scenic byway are absolutely astonishing.

The southern portion of the Byway changes a little, as it is dominated by rugged cliffs, farms, and sandy beaches. This part of the Byway boasts some of the most photographed areas in Oregon. A camera is a must on this scenic drive. Drive through clear sunny skies one moment, and in the thick of the fog the next. Next to mountain walls, into dense forests, and along the surfside cliffs, this drive will surely astonish you. Pounding surf, endless beaches, mature forests, and fish-filled lakes provide a multitude of recreational activities for any visitor of the byway. The Bay Area is home to a remarkable botanical gardens on a cliff overlooking the dunes and beaches of the Pacific Ocean. The byway offers a wide variety of wildlife activities, including clamming, fishing, birds, sea lions, and whale-watching. Our trip on the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway consisted of 258 miles of the approximately 366 miles of the Byway. It is surely a drive, which provides some of the most beautiful scenic views imaginable, that should be taken if given the opportunity.