Best Beaches in Florence, Oregon

Living on the Oregon Coast means that I have plenty of opportunity to visit the beach. Somehow I’m still not tan, though. And you shouldn’t plan to be either after a visit based upon our average 65-degree temperature in the summer. However there are plenty of other reasons to explore Oregon Coast beaches: Agates, fishing, strolling and relaxing just to name a few. Take a look below for my favorite beaches close to home in beautiful Florence, Oregon.

Devil’s Elbow/ Heceta Head:

Located a 15 minute drive North of Florence, Devil’s Elbow State Park is an Oregon Coast playground in and of itself.

Why I love it:

This beach combines incredible views with lots to do. As an added benefit it’s also one of the most wind protected places near the ocean around Florence! Directly below the mighty Heceta Head lighthouse perched 205 feet above the seas, the beach here boasts a few large rock formations and a great photo opportunity of the Highway 101 bridge over Cape Creek.

Speaking of Cape Creek, this fresh water creek meets the Pacific Ocean on the South Side of the beach. While it looks cool, the other benefit of the creek nearby is that it’s a perfect place for kids to splash and play out of the direct waves.

On the North end of the beach there are a few sea caves. Be especially aware of tides and sneaker waves if you choose to venture in this direction! The beach is  managed by Oregon State Parks, so there is a $5 day use fee, or you may use your Oregon Coast Passport for entry. Your $5 buys you access to plenty of parking, as well as picnic tables, and an opportunity to hike the trail to get a closer look at the Heceta Head lighthouse – one of my favorite scenic spots on the Oregon Coast. This is a very popular beach year-round, and jam packs lots to do in a relatively small surrounding. And did I mention it’s pretty? It’s pretty. You should go.

How to get there:
From Florence, take Highway 101 North for approximately 12 miles. Once you drive through the tunnel and cross the bridge, watch for the signs and turn right to enter the park. 

Heceta Beach:

Not to be confused with Heceta Head, Heceta Beach is probably the most popular and easily accessible beach in Florence. Popular with locals and tourists alike, Heceta Beach is lined with a few houses/vacation rentals, as well as Driftwood Shores Resort; which is Florence’s only beach-front resort.

Why I love it

This long, sandy beach is perfect for leisurely walks, a little exercise, running the dogs or letting the kids play. This is our “go to” beach when we need a little ocean air after a long day of work/school.

There aren’t a wealth of rocks and shells along Heceta Beach, but there is lots of wide open space to enjoy and stretch your legs. And, if you look North on the beach, you can see the light of Heceta Head flashing up on the hill in the far distance.

How to get there:
Depending on where you start in Florence, there are a few different routes to get to Heceta Beach. Rhododendron Drive or Heceta Beach Road from Highway 101 will both get you to the beach. Follow the signs and park in the Lane County Parks parking area. Note that there is a $5 day use fee for parking in the County area.

North Jetty:

The South end of Heceta Beach is most easily accessible from Florence’s North Jetty. The beach at North Jetty takes a little effort to get to with a walk down the jetty itself, but the the view is well worth a little burn in the ol’ calf muscles.

Why I love it:

The beach at the end of the North Jetty in Florence offers a unique view of the Siuslaw River, Pacific Ocean and the river bar, where the river and ocean meet. After parking in the large lot (watch for potholes!) you can follow the jetty out to the beach itself. The walk requires a few ups and downs on sand hills that have accumulated from the wind. By no means is the walk stroller or wheelchair friendly, but I’ve seen toddlers, seniors and my bad knees all make the trek with no problem.

Once you reach the beach, you’ll find a pretty impressive accumulation of Oregon Coast driftwood, along with some homebuilt forts made from smaller pieces. This beach connects to Heceta Beach, so if you’re up for a walk you can check out both beach areas in one stop!

How to get there: 
From Rhododendron Drive in Florence turn onto Harbor Vista Road (follow the signs for Harbor Vista Park.) Follow the road to where it dead ends in the large parking area by the Coast Guard tower. There is no fee for day use at this area.

South Jetty Beach:

The South Jetty in Florence is a recreational wonderland. Dune & beach access, crabbing, wind surfing and hiking are all based in the South Jetty area, and the beach here offers all kinds of entertainment, no matter your interest.

Why I love it:

The beach in the South Jetty area of Florence is accessible by well-equipped 4×4 vehicle, or foot. OHV enthusiasts are able to drive on portions of the beach year-round in this area, so you are sure to see quads, dirt bikes, UTV’s or 4×4’s out and about on the sand enjoying the day alongside other beachgoers. The beach can be accessed by OHV’s with a valid OHV pass via Goosepasture staging area, or South Jetty Road.

For folks without a sand-ready ride, there are multiple parking areas along South Jetty Road at trailheads that lead over the sea wall and to the beach. I warn you, however, that your legs and lungs will burn and you will feel like you are going to die for a couple minutes. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, it’s a bit of a climb in all of the sand. The view, though, is totally worth it.

This long stretch of Oregon Coast sand is a great spot for a bonfire on the beach when the wind dies down, and is also a popular spot for surf perch fishing. But that’s another topic for a different day.

How to get there:
1 mile South of Florence, turn on South Jetty Road. Follow the road West to beach access trails and parking areas. At the entrance to the recreation area, there is a U.S. Forest Service self-pay station. Day use is $5 and various coastal/parks recreation passes are also accepted at this location.

While Florence is technically an Oregon Coast “river town” there is plenty of beach for everyone to enjoy. Crowds are rare, the views are breathtaking and the roar of the ocean will wash your worries away.

Have fun out there,
Nat