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Pack your pup and head to the South Coast for crowd-free beaches, laid-back patios and many miles of trails.
Wide-open beaches, temperate spring and summer weather thanks to the unique “Chetco Effect” microclimate and fewer crowds make Brookings an ideal destination for a quiet getaway on the Southern Oregon Coast. If you have a four-legged friend in tow, you’ll also find many pet-friendly options for play, dining and lodging. Here are the top spots to earmark for your next trip to Oregon’s southernmost coastal town.
See Tide Pools and Panoramic Views
You don’t have to travel far from downtown Brookings to feel immersed in the rugged beauty of the Southern Oregon Coast. Chetco Point Park rewards visitors with stunning panoramic views that stretch for miles up and down the Coast. Nature is everywhere you look, from waves crashing onto the rocky outcroppings to seals lolling in the sun. Depending on the season, you may even spy whales migrating offshore. On a clear day, you can see all the way to St. George Reef Lighthouse in Crescent City. There’s a picnic area and an off-leash dog park with areas for small and large dogs, plus a restroom.
Whether you prefer relaxing in the sand and listening to the waves or admiring off-shore rock formations, Harris Beach State Park offers plenty of ways to bask in nature. Bring your binoculars to watch pelicans, gulls, cormorants and tufted puffins on Goat Island, Oregon’s largest coastal island. And don’t miss Key Hole Rock, one of the park’s most photographed sea stacks. It’s delightful to watch the waves and light burst through its keyhole opening, and at low tide the rocks surrounding it are brimming with sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs and more. If you fancy a hike, Harris Butte Trail and Sunset Point Trail give elevated views of the park.
Experience Awe-Inspiring Redwoods and Coastal Trails
You don’t need to leave Brookings to experience the grandeur of coastal redwoods. The popular Redwood Nature Trail just north of Alfred A. Loeb State Park is a moderate, pet-friendly, 1.2-mile loop winding through ferns and native rhododendrons. You’ll cross bridges over streams flowing over mossy rocks with Douglas fir and the northernmost stand of coastal redwoods towering overhead. On the quieter Riverview Nature Trail, you can experience the fragrant, moss-draped myrtle wood trees along the Chetco River.
It’s one beautiful vista after another along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, a narrow park with numerous viewpoints, sandy coves and a vast network of trails along this breathtaking 12-mile stretch of rugged Oregon coastline. Featuring dramatic cliffs, forested sea stacks, hidden sandy beaches and natural arch bridges, it’s considered one of the most scenic drives in the country. It’s also a great spot to hike a segment of the Oregon Coast Trail. If you’re looking for something less strenuous and off the beaten path, head to Lone Ranch Beach, a secluded, serene spot perfect for beachcombing, wildlife watching and tide pooling among the rocks at either end of the beach.
Enjoy Happy Hour, Tamales and Cozy Stays
After exploring the natural beauty of Brookings, you’ll find plenty of pet-friendly patios where you and your pup can relax and refuel for your next adventure. Locals enjoy RH Pub & Grill for delicious burgers, traditional pub fare and seafood specialties. Arrive in midafternoon for daily happy hour with food and drink specials. At Chetco Brewing Company, sip award-winning brews and seasonal releases like the summery Chetco Effect ale, house-made root beer or kombucha. The casual menu offers wraps and sandwiches, and leashed dogs are welcome inside and out. Traditional Mexican favorites like homemade tamales and chile rellenos tempt diners at Pancho’s, along with a picturesque, dog-friendly patio.
Whether you are looking for something rustic or refined, you’ll find the perfect spot to hang your hat in Brookings. If you’re traveling with a furry friend, there are plenty of options that will make you both feel right at home. Tent and RV camping is plentiful and nestled under the trees at Harris Beach State Park, but it fills up fast so book early. Go for a dip or paddle along the Chetco River while camping at Alfred A. Loeb State Park, which also has three river-facing rustic log cabins, one of which is pet-friendly.
For all the creature comforts, check out cozy, pet-friendly vacation rentals in the Brookings area like Tanbark Shores Guest House, which has several bright and comfortably furnished suites as well as ocean views and a communal fire pit. The Porch of Brookings is a charming 1940s home that sleeps nine, with a front porch and deck where you can admire a backyard redwood. For a quirky artist vibe, Adele’s Oceanside Retreat has a nautical-inspired loft kids will love and stairs down to a private beach.
