Bandon, Coos County, Oregon, USA
Location
Bandon, Coos County, Southern Oregon
Sand Type
Dark Fine Pacific Sand with Sea Stack Fields
Iconic Feature
Face Rock & Dozens of Named Sea Stacks
Facilities
Restrooms, Multiple Access Points, Day-Use Areas
Best Season
June β September; Storm Watching: Nov β Feb
Nearest Airport
Southwest Oregon Regional (OTH) β 50 km
Bandon Beach is one of the most visually dramatic stretches of coastline in the continental United States β a 4-mile sweep of dark Pacific sand studded with dozens of named sea stacks rising from the surf. Face Rock, Elephant Rock, Table Rock, Wizard Hat, and Cat and Kittens are among the most recognizable of these offshore monoliths, which appear at dramatically different scales as tides rise and fall, creating an ever-changing seascape that has made Bandon the most photographed beach on the Oregon Coast.
The beach is accessed from Bandon's Face Rock Scenic Viewpoint β a blufftop park with a paved path along the cliff edge and multiple staircase access points down to the sand. The viewpoint itself offers perhaps the finest overland perspective of the sea stacks and is particularly stunning at sunset when the golden light illuminates the orange-tinged rocks against the dark Pacific. Storm watching in November through February draws visitors specifically for the spectacular wave action around and over the sea stacks during Pacific gales.
Bandon is also known globally as the home of the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort β four links-style courses carved into the coastal headlands and dunes immediately north of town, widely regarded among the finest golf destination courses in the world. The combination of extraordinary natural beach scenery, a charming Old Town with art galleries and seafood restaurants, the Coquille River Lighthouse at the river mouth, and the world-class golf makes Bandon a uniquely sophisticated Oregon Coast destination.
Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint has a free parking lot, restrooms, and a paved clifftop trail. Additional beach access points are located at 11th Street SW and Bradley Lake Drive. No lifeguards. The beach is completely undeveloped β bring everything you need. Bandon Old Town (5 minutes drive) has restaurants, shops, and services.
Bandon's sea stacks make this coastline particularly vulnerable to sneaker waves β the irregular rocky outcroppings cause chaotic wave energy unpredictable even on calm days. Never climb on the sea stacks or stand on the wet rock ledges at their bases. The beach has no lifeguards and the surf is cold (54β60Β°F year-round) and powerful.
Bandon is on US-101, 25 miles (40 km) south of Coos Bay and 80 miles (130 km) north of the California border. Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend serves small aircraft with connections to Portland and San Francisco. Most visitors drive US-101 north or south, or approach from I-5 via OR-42 through Coquille. A car is essential.
β³ Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
World-renowned links golf resort with four oceanfront courses; considered among the finest golf destinations in the world
π Coquille River Lighthouse
1896 lighthouse at the Coquille River mouth in Bullards Beach State Park, accessible by a short walk from the campground
π« Bandon Cranberry Festival
Annual October festival celebrating the region's cranberry harvest β Bandon is Oregon's cranberry capital with bogs along the coast
ποΈ Bandon Old Town
Charming small-town waterfront district with art galleries, seafood restaurants, cheese factory, and the Bandon Farmers Market
Pacific City Beach
200 km north, Cape Kiwanda's sandstone headland and home to Oregon's unique dory fishing fleet
Cannon Beach
300 km north, the iconic Haystack Rock and the finest beach town on the Northern Oregon Coast
Seaside Beach
320 km north, classic Oregon resort beach with its historic promenade and wide sandy shore