There's more to the Coast than the Coast

A table full of succulent Oregon Dungeness crab is a Northwest winter tradition. Sometimes Oregon’s commercial crab season opens as early as the beginning of December, which makes the sweet, delectable crustacean an easy choice for festive meals. In recent years, starting dates have often delayed into the new year — and the 2023 season is no exception. Don’t worry. Crab this good is worth the wait. Read on to learn why crab-season openers change and how to support local crabbers by buying from local seafood markets on the South Coast.

If you’ve ever been to Shore Acres State Park on a stormy afternoon, it’s likely you’ve crossed paths with Coos Bay-based photographer Steven Michael. High winds, sea spray and driving rain might keep others at home, but to Steven, it’s all in a day’s work capturing the raw power of winter on the Oregon Coast.

Take Your Sweetie on an Epic Adventure Dinner and a movie are nice for Valentine’s Day, but we have a hunch that what your sweetie really wants is a romantic adventure, with no planning required. From its wild, secluded beaches...

Who uses paper maps anymore? If you squint your eyes as you hold map up, you can kind of smell fish tacos coming off the griddle and sea air rolling in. Your hands are tired and there are little flecks of bark on your right shoulder from that near miss on your early morning ride. Brush those off before you go up to the bar, or they’ll start to worry about you.

Across the state, Oregon is no stranger to scenic drives, but there’s something undeniably different about road-tripping Highway 101 along the South Coast.

Whether you're coming from north or south, the wild and dramatic stretch of the Oregon Coast near its southern border is one of the most spectacular drives in the state. Known as Oregon’s Banana Belt due to its warmer weather than other spots on the Coast, it’s a scenic wonderland of wide-open spaces, thick forests and stunningly beautiful beaches. Because it’s a leisurely road trip from any major city, there’s another perk: It always feels like you’ve got the place to yourself.