of the northern section and aren't to be missed. But don't stop there. Head down south on the 101 and check out the Newport Air Museum (largest wooden building in the world) and the OU and OSU oceanic research extensions (each is nearly due west from their respective main campuses) that both have great science-based exhibits and museums. Do skip the Sea Lion Caves in summer (huge tourist trap--animals aren't even in the cave, yet they still charge you entrance--LOL) Go to the sand dunes and take a ride on a souped-up sand rail in Florence and then take the jet boat tour up the Rogue River (almost 100 miles!) at Gold Beach. Black bear, osprey, salmon, deer, cranes and eagles will fill up your camera there in a hurry. Great lunch too. Dress water-resistant as the drivers will spin you silly. Your elementary-aged and up kids will LOVE this.

Seriously, you could take an entire week on the OR coast and still not see it all. Way better than the WA coast (and I'm a Washingtonian) and rivaled only by the Monterey CA area coastline for sheer beauty. It's wilder than the CA coast. Much less crowded and far more pristine. Put it on your bucket list.