Brookings is a delightful Curry County city located on the banks of the majestic Chetco River, founded as part of the Brookings Lumber and Box Company logging operation in 1908. Today, it has become a popular destination for Northern California retirees and outdoor adventure seekers, home to gorgeous state park areas showcasing some of Oregon's most beautiful old-growth redwood trees. Each year, the city hosts the Southern Oregon Kite Festival, which brings some of the nation's top kite flyers and makers to display their creations. Other annual special events include the holiday Nature's Coast Light Show and the city's Azalea Festival, which features a lively carnival, pageant, parade, and street fair.
1. Harris Beach State Park
Harris Beach State Park is a lovely Oregon state park just north of the city of Brookings, named in honor of 19th-century area Scottish pioneer George Scott Harris. The lovely state park protects a National Wildlife Refuge within its boundaries on picturesque Bird Island, the largest island off the Oregon state coastline, which serves as a significant breeding ground for rare bird species like the tufted puffin. Lovely rocky outcroppings and sea stacks dot the park's gorgeous shoreline, which is open to the public for year-round recreational fun, including chances for kite flying, swimming, and wildlife watching. Day-use picnic sites offer restrooms and waterfront views, while camping areas feature tent and RV hookups and pet-friendly yurts.
U.S. 101, Brookings, OR 97415, Phone: 800-551-6949
2. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is a stunning linear waterfront state park stretching 15 miles north of the city of Brookings along Oregon's Pacific Ocean coastline. The park is named in honor of former Oregon Parks superintendent Samuel H. Boardman, featuring beautiful sandy beaches and rugged coastline panoramas. The beautiful Oregon Coast Trail rambles for more than two dozen miles throughout the corridor, passing scenic wonders like natural bridges, arch rocks, sand dunes, and panoramic viewpoints. Visitors can also explore the park's natural wonders and make use of day-use picnic sites from several parking area access points leading to public beachfronts.
U.S. 101, Brookings, OR 97415, Phone: 800-551-6949
3. Alfred A. Loeb State Park, Brookings, Oregon
Alfred A. Loeb State Park is a gorgeous Oregon state park located along the banks of the picturesque Chetco River, offering excellent opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation. The park, which is commonly referred to as "Loeb" by regional residents, is tucked away into a beautiful grove of centuries-old Myrtlewood trees within the United States' northernmost coastal redwood grove. Visitors can enjoy chances for fishing, swimming, and whitewater rafting throughout the year along the river's banks or explore hiking areas like the park's self-guided Riverview Nature Trail, which offers chances for wildlife watching. More than 50 electric hookup campsites are available for overnight stay, along with three rustic, pet-friendly rental cabins.
N Bank Chetco River Rd, Brookings, OR 97415, Phone: 800-551-6949
4. The Oregon Redwood Trail
The Oregon Redwood Trail is a gorgeous loop trail meandering through stunning mixed upland forest habitats in Brookings, offering chances to see some of the area's amazing old-growth redwood trees. The trail embarks from within the city and is tucked within one of the state's two old-growth redwood groves, offering a less-crowded alternative to its neighboring grove habitat. A wheelchair-accessible ridgetop section of the trail lets visitors of all mobility levels view stunning mid-sized redwood stands on a gorgeous hillside. All trail sections are well-maintained, perfect for easy hiking experiences for novice hikers and families.
Brookings, OR 97444, Phone: 541-247-3600
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5. Chetco Brewing Company
Chetco Brewing Company is a delightful local craft microbrewery in Brookings, helmed by brewmaster Michael Frederick. The charming brewery specializes in all-vegan beers clarified with Irish moss and crafted without the addition of additives, extracts, or ingredients exposed to pesticides and chemicals. 16 taps feature rotating flagship, seasonal, and one-off brews, including favorites like the company's Chetco Effect Summer Ale, Save For Ted Robust Porter, Kodiak Pilsner, and Elmorado IPA. Housemade root beers and kombuchas are also served up, along with local Oregon wines available by the glass and taps of guest alcoholic ciders. Food trucks feature the best of the region's artisanal cuisine, parked onsite during events like trivia nights, live music performances, and Hoppy Hour events.
830 Railroad St, Brookings, OR 97415, Phone: 541-661-5347
6. Port of Brookings Harbor, Brookings
Port of Brookings Harbor is the Oregon Coast's busiest recreational port, serving over 95,000 annual recreational users and 5,000 commercial fishing operations. The lovely shallow-draft harbor is tucked into a banana belt at the mouth of the Chetco River, offering the safest bar along the Southern Oregon coastline for commercial and recreational fishing experiences. Snapper, halibut, salmon, and cod abound in its waters, along with Dungeness crab and several varieties of shrimp. Visitors can make use of the port's full-service marina or embark on guided fishing charters throughout the year, hosted by experienced area touring companies. Retail stores, restaurants, and businesses line the port's harbor district, including some of the region's best seafood dining destinations.
16330 Lower Harbor Rd, Brookings, OR 97415, Phone: 541-469-2218
7. The Chetco River
The Chetco River is a gorgeous rugged river stretching 56 miles throughout southwestern Oregon, flowing throughout the lands of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. It begins its course near Chetco Peak within the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, descending more than 3,000 feet to sea level at its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. Along the way, large undeveloped portions of the river have been designated as a Wild and Scenic River. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of recreational opportunities on the river throughout the year, including chances for salmon and trout fishing, swimming, and boating. Nearby, redwood forest areas offer excellent opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and camping at aras like Alfred A. Loeb State Park.
8. Chetco Community Public Library
Chetco Community Public Library has served the Brookings-Harbor region for nearly a century, originally founded in 1924. Today, the lovely public library circulates a collection of more than 77,00 individual items, ranging from children's books and teen materials to adult fiction, nonfiction, and reference titles of every kind. Multimedia collections include movies, audiobooks, magazines, and digital titles. Free wireless internet service is offered throughout the library for visitors bringing their own laptops and wireless devices, while 11 computer workstations are available for public use at the library's computer lab. Local artists are showcased within the library's meeting room and display area, which can be rented for private special events. The library's meeting room gallery is also a frequent stop on the city's Second Saturday Art Walk gallery crawls.
405 Alder St, Brookings, OR 97415, Phone: 541-469-7738
9. Azalea Park, Brookings, Oregon
Azalea Park covers 33 acres adjacent to several Brookings residential neighborhoods, offering locals a wonderful green space and many recreational facilities. The park is named for the ancient native azaleas which were already well established in the early 1800’s. After being neglected and becoming totally overgrown, the ancient Azaleas have now been pruned and are once again delighting local residents and visitors with their stunning floral displays. The park has good paved paths for walking/running and there are picnic tables, restrooms, water fountains and a volley-ball court. Younger visitors love the children’s playground.
Azalea Park, 640 Old Country Road, Brookings, OR 97415
10. Chetco Point Park
Chetco Point Park is a popular outdoor recreational area right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The park offers direct access to the beach where you can soak up some sun, enjoy some tide pooling or just sit back and enjoy the great views. The park also has a lawn area with picnic tables. You can follow the oceanfront trails all the way to the lookout point on the bluff which offers amazing views of the harbor. Most of the park has been maintained as a natural area and there is lush foliage and abundant wild flowers can be admired from April to October.
Chetco Point Park, 905 Wharf Street, Brookings, OR 97415, 541 469 1103
11. Things to Do in Brookings, OR: Lone Ranch Beach
Forming part of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, Lone Ranch Beach is located just 4.5 miles from Brookings. The beach is long and wide, forming a crescent of soft sand along the edge of the water and offering excellent views of several sea stacks. If you visit during the low tide you will find many easily-accessible tidal pools filled with interesting aquatic creatures – children can look out for hermit crabs, shore crabs and spiny urchins. You can bring along a picnic to enjoy at one of the picnic tables which are perfectly positioned right alongside the beach. There is a parking area and a paved accessible pathway to the beach.
12. Crissey Field State Park
You will find the Crissey Field State Park tucked in between the California border and the Winchuck River in southern Oregon. The 40-acre park comprises a pleasant sandy beach, some mature trees and a wetland area. You can start your visit at the accessible Welcome Center which offers great views of the ocean and clean restrooms, as well as exhibits about the local birds and wildlife. There are a handful of pleasant trails which will lead you to the beach or through the wetland habitat. The beach area is relatively quiet and you can certainly escape the crowds and enjoy some serenity. Fishing is allowed off the beach.
Crissey Field State Park, 1650 Highway 101 N, Brookings, OR 97415, 541 469 0224
13. Oregon’s Largest Monterey Cypress (aka Monty)
Visitors to Brookings can seize the opportunity to admire one of the largest trees in the world. Located on Museum Road, next door to the Chetco County Historical Society Museum, the enormous Blake Monterey Cypress was planted back in 1857 by Harrison Blake. Over the decades the tree has grown and grown and it now has a circumference of more than 34 feet and has reached a height of 130 feet. Local legend has it that the spirit of Mr. Blake lives in the tree. For many years the Blake Cypress held the distinction of being the largest Monterey Cypress tree in the world, until it was overtaken by an even larger Monterey Cypress in California.
The Blake Cypress, Museum Road, Brookings, OR 97415
14. Whaleshead Viewpoint
Located along the 12-mile Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, which forms part of Highway 101 in southern Oregon, Whaleshead Viewpoint is tucked between Brookings and Gold Beach. This picturesque beach is one of several which are found along the Scenic Corridor. You can park off the highway and follow a flat easy path directly to the beach. This very protected beach benefits from weather conditions which allow flowers and vegetation to thrive all year round. The beach is named for an off-shore sea stack which looks a bit like a whale’s head. During winter and spring you may be lucky enough to spot migrating whales from the beach. There are great walking/hiking trails which follow the beautiful coastline for miles.
Whaleshead Viewpoint, Highway 101, Brookings, OR 97415
15. Things to Do in Brookings, OR: Black Trumpet Bistro
Capturing the true essence of a bistro dining experience, the Black Trumpet Bistro serves up delicious, reasonably priced food that will ensure a memorable night out. Equally perfect for a quick after-work supper, a night out with friends or a romantic date night, Black Trumpet Bistro will not disappoint. The food is fresh and seasonal, prepared on site from local produce wherever possible – examples include foraged wild mushrooms, house-baked bread and mouth-watering Oregon beef steaks. The menu has something for everyone – tasty appetizers, fresh salads, soups, sandwiches and fabulous entrees including their Slow Braised Pork Shank, Cranberry Glazed Duck and a perfectly-cooked Angus Sirloin.
Black Trumpet Bistro, 625 Chetco Avenue, Brookings, OR 97415, 541 887 0860
