There’s a lot to see as you drive along Highway 101 on Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast: rugged sea stacks, lighthouses and turn-offs for spotting sea lions and whales, just to name a few. But as you drive by the little towns of Langlois and Port Orford, don’t forget to slow down and treat your taste buds.
The Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail is a collaborative effort to connect people to the bounty available on the Southern Oregon Coast. Supporting local food is a way to support our communities and the producers who work hard to grow and use our local ingredients.
Before you head out, find out more about your themed route below or download the official brochure.
Also, don’t forget to sign up for your Wild Rivers Coast Passport below. The passport works on any mobile device and grants you access to deals and savings at selected sites on the Food Trail. Sign up today to receive your Digital Passport and enjoy discounts, free tastings, and more.
Berry Byway
Ramble along the berry trail from Port Orford to Bandon for a bucketful of sweet tastes.
Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at The Nest Cafe before stopping next door at Port Orford Community Co-op to pick up a basketful of picnic provisions, including organic meat, fresh catch and seasonal produce like sun-kissed, handpicked strawberries, raspberries and blackberries from Valley Flora Farm.
Head north on U.S. 101 to Peters Cranberry farm stand for fresh, tart, sustainably grown cranberries as well as jams and berry vinegars to take home. Keep heading north, stopping along the way to enjoy blueberry u-pick experiences at family farms like Jensen’s Blueberries, Valentine Blueberries and Twin Creek Ranch.
Spread your picnic blanket in the sunshine at Dragonfly Farm & Nursery in Langlois and enjoy a post-lunch stroll through the verdant grounds and greenhouses. Make sure you pick up a bottle of Grandpa Jack’s cranberry concentrate — made with Bowman Bogs cranberries — before you leave.
In Bandon, quaff a fruity pre-dinner drink at one of the local watering holes: cranberry rum at Stillwagon Distillery or cranberry cider at Bandon Rain. Top your day off with an early dinner at Tony’s Crab Shack, where they offer a variety of seafood options such as Dungeness Crab or Oysters Orlean.
Seafood Search
This made-for-grownups culinary treasure trek starts with a 3-day weekend booking at Endicott Gardens Bed & Breakfast Spa Retreat in Gold Beach.
Arrive in Gold Beach, heading into town for an early dinner at Barnacle Bistro — try the crab cakes made with locally-caught Dungeness crab and Oregon bay shrimp. (Remember to swing by Fisherman Direct Seafood first to pick up some freshly canned albacore tuna and salmon to take home at the end of your stay.)
In the morning, head out bright and early for a two-hour exploration by kayak from Port Orford with South Coast Tours. Fish from the boat, forage for mussels and edible seaweeds, or just enjoy bird watching in the refreshing sea breeze. Then head north to Coos Bay, where Shark Bites Seafood Cafe is serving up local Coos Bay oysters for lunch. After spending the day exploring Coos Bay, enjoy world-class sushi at Tokyo Bistro in the historic Empire District, before returning to Gold Beach for the night.
Sleep in on your last morning before heading north up the 101, stopping off in Port Orford for an ocean view lunch at Redfish. Check out the working waterfront, where the unique dolly dock lifts boats in and out of the water by crane. Make sure to leave time for stops in Bandon at Farm & Sea and Mother’s Natural Grocery for coastal goodies to take home, and in Winchester Bay at Umpqua Aquaculture for fresh oysters (packed on ice, of course).
Timeless Beauty
This dreamy drive from Reedsport to Brookings passes through some of the South Coast’s most stunning landscapes.
From the Umpqua River Scenic Byway catch a glimpse of majestic Roosevelt elk at the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area followed by a hearty breakfast at Reedsport’s Harbor Light Restaurant with offerings of Salmon Harbor Browns and Country Fried Steak. Further south stop in at the Coos Head Food Co-Op for energy-packed snacks and beverages to take with you.
Grab a cup of organic fair trade coffee at Charleston’s Bayside Coffee & Tea before taking a stroll through the lush formal gardens at Shore Acres State Park, where you can view dramatic surf crashing below the soaring cliff line. Back in Coos Bay, enjoy a vegan lunch and refreshing smoothies made from house-made nut milks and fresh berries at Coos Bay’s Noster Kitchen.
The Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, between Gold Beach and Brookings, is 27 miles of Oregon Coast trail winding through towering Sitka spruce, with numerous pullouts and striking vistas of Arch Rock, Natural Bridges and other wind sculpted sea stacks.
End your day in Brookings, with dinner at Fat Irish Kitchen & Pub (in the harbor) or Oxenfrē Public House (downtown). Top things off at Chetco Brewing Company’s lively tasting room, or get a growler to go and watch the sunset from the windswept beach.
More tasty stops
There are 43 stops on the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail, from bakeries to restaurants, farms and growers markets, to breweries and distilleries, to seafood stands and indulgent take-home treats. Make your base camp in one of these charming towns and find a delicious farm-to-table meal around the corner. Here are some of the locales to explore.
Reedsport to Coquille
Bandon, Langlois and Port Orford
Gold Beach to Brookings
Travel Tips
The Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail is open to visitors throughout the year and is designed to be explored at your own pace – you are welcome to start and finish wherever you like. To ensure a positive experience, please check the hours of operation for each business online or by phone and note when advance reservations or appointments are required.
Before setting out along the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail, plan ahead by mapping your route to make it easy to navigate remote areas without cell service. Also check road conditions and fuel up, since gas stations can be harder to find on country roads.
High season varies per business but is typically June – Nov. Seasonality of key products is listed below:
- Blueberries are available July through August
- Cranberries can typically be harvested mid-October through early December
- Pumpkin patches are often open late September through October
- Dungeness crab available late December through August
The working farms along this trail provide some of the most unique and engaging experiences. We ask that you respect the invitation to enter each property and be cautious around farm animals and equipment. Children must be supervised at all times and you should be prepared to follow all site-specific rules. For your safety and comfort, be prepared with appropriate footwear, sun protection and water.
Your experience along the Wild Rivers Coast Food Trail should not end when you leave the area. We encourage you to bring a taste of your journey back home to share with friends and family as a reminder of the bounty available along Oregon’s Wild Rivers Coast.
Learn about our passport program at wrcfoodtrail.com.
