A Tour of Port Orford
What is it about our little town that so many people find special? Port Orford has attracted a diverse and fascinating assortment of people to settle here. There are professionals, retirees, fishermen and telecommuters, entrepenuers and many artisits of all types. What is the draw? Some say it is the beauty of the area, for there is truly no place on earth lovelier. Some come for the mild climate, the friendly people, the unhurried atmosphere. Some come to raise their children in a place where there is still no serious crime, where you can still see kids riding their horses in town. But all of us feel another draw to this place that defies description. It is a place that for all its modern conveniences still feels like the unspoiled towns of yesteryear. It is a place that offers us what we need for the body and more importantly, something to feed the soul. So come on a tour of our town! (Click on the map icon to see a larger map of Port Orford. The pictures on the page all have numbers that correspond to numbers on the map, just click on any number to open up the map.)
|
|
A morning walk on Battle Rock Beach (1)
|
Port Orford seen from the south (1)
|
The Visitor Center (2)
|
The Shell Shack (2)
|
| Driving North on highway one, about 60 miles north of the California-Oregon border, just past majestic Humbug mountain, which drops from an elevation of 1,756 feet directly down to the ocean, you will round a bend on the highway and suddenly there in the distance you see a little town. Nestled in a hollow between the wooded hills and the rocky headland, facing south it shines in the sun like a jewel. A few more miles, past Hubbard creek where the local surfers congregate, you drop down into town are greeted by the sight of the Battle Rock Wayside. This is a great place to start exploring Port Orford because not only is it home to one of the most lovely beaches anywhere, it also has the visitor center and a true old-fashioned souvenir shop, The Shell Shack. |
|
Timeworn Treasures features the best coffees, teas, and antiques! (3)
|
The Port Orford Breadworks is the place for fresh baked bread and imported deli items. (4)
|
The Downtown Fun Zone the Uptown Frame Shop and the Seaweed Grocery. (5)
|
| You won't find any fast food chains in Port Orford. Instead you will find businesses that have been established by people who care about the quality of what they sell, and where they live. As a result, just down the road a bit from Battle Rock Beach, you can get wonderful fresh espresso, and specialty teas at Timeworn Treasures, and sip while you browse through their interesting antiques, or sit outside in the gazebo and enjoy the ocean breeze.
Stop by the Port Orford Breadworks for a wonderful Trattoria style lunch or dinner and take home some fresh baked bread, and a selection of imported cheeses, meats and other delicious gourmet food items.
From the wonderful fresh organic foods at the Seaweed Grocery and Cafe to the convenience of The Downtown Fun Zone where you can rent movies, buy computer and office supplies, get printing done, or put an ad in the local advertiser, Port Orford is chock full of interesting and helpful businesses, run by the friendly folks who choose to make this their home.
|
|
The Port of Port Orford at sunrise (6)
|
The Savoy Theatre (7)
|
Port Orford Coast Guard Museum (8)
|
| Port Orford, the oldest town-site on the Oregon Coast, has a rich history. Take a left just past Timeworn Treasures and go down to the Port, where fishermen have plied their trade for over 150 years. You can still get fish fresh off the boat and watch as the boats are lowered and raised from the water to the dock.
Back to the main street, go a few blocks north, you will find the finest little theatre on the Oregon Coast, with state of the art systems, comfortable seats and of course, hot buttered popcorn!
Just past the theatre, turn left at the sign for the Port Orford Heads. You will wind up Coast Guard Hill and at the top you will find the old Coast Guard Station, now a State Park with a fascinating museum, and miles of gorgeous hiking trails that take you out to the headland where incredible views of surf and rocks take your breath away.
|
|
Garrison Lake kayakers at Sunset (9)
|
Buffington Memorial Park (10)
|
The Senior Center (11)
|
| Next stop, Garrison Lake, right in the heart of town. A lake known for it's beauty and also for trophy trout! To get there go back to the main street, continue a few more blocks and turn left on 12th street. You will end up at the public boat launch, also known as the 12th street boat ramp. Here you will also find a public fishing pier and a picnic area.
A few more blocks north, you will encounter Buffington Memorial Park, A green and inviting place with a playground, tennis courts, a ballpark, riding arena, picnic area and a world famous skateboard bowl.
East of the park, across the highway 101 and up one block, you will find the Dewey Senior Center. Large and well equipped, it is a place of much activity for seniors and non-seniors alike. It is often used for meetings, gatherings, and the many great events put on by the active seniors of the town.
|
|
|
|
One of 5 local churches (13)
|
The Driftwood Elementary School (14)
|
| Port Orford is a small town with only 1200 residents, but it has a big heart and all the services and conveniences that make day to day living easy. Rays, the local grocery is part of a chain of independent stores in Northern California and Oregon. There is an elementary school, middle and high school, 5 churches, a library (soon to be expanded to a brand new building) 2 gas stations, 3 building- hardware stores, an auto parts store, auto repair facilities, a liquor store and 8+ restaurants serving everything from fine innovative cuisine to simple pub fare. In addition Port Orford is home to 8 art galleries, and numerous specialty stores. |
|
Curry Family Medical Clinic (15)
|
Fire and ambulance (16)
|
|
| Medical services are right here in town with the Curry Family Medical Clinic. Dr. Tom Pitchford and Nurse Practitioner Carol Milne head up a friendly and effective team of professionals, so you know you are in good hands.
Emergencies are handled by the great 911 team also right in town so help is only moments away when needed!
The City Hall building is command central for all the doings of the town. Here you can order city services, attend city council meetings, vote, get information, check out library books and more.
|
|
Paradise Point beach (17)
|
The Elk River near the mouth (18)
|
Cape Blanco Lighthouse (19)
|
| At the end of our brief tour we approach the north end of town. Though the city limits end here, there is more to see! Take a left just past the bridge onto Paradise Point Road. At the end you will find a place to park and a path down to 7 miles of incredible beach. Once on Paradise Point Beach, you can go south to Agate Beach where beachcombers look for prize agates and jasper on the strip of sand that runs between Garrison Lake and the ocean. Or head north on miles of deserted beach with ragged cliffs, then dunes that separate the last length of the famous Elk River from the Pacific Ocean. All along these beaches is some of the best beachcombing anywhere. Glass floats and fossils, driftwood, agates and jasper. Some even say that gold has been found!
A few miles from Cape Blanco you will come to the mouth of the Elk River, a favorite fishing spot during the Fall Salmon Season, and a place of breathtaking beauty. Looking to the end of the cape the lighthouse stands, sending out its faithful beacon.
You can also get to Cape Blanco by car. Simply drive 5 miles north of town and take a left at the brown sign for Cape Blanco State Park. A few more miles and you can explore the lighthouse, Hughes House - a late Victorian home of one of the early settlers, now open to the public, a pristine campground and beaches stretching both north and south of the point.
We hope you enjoyed your tour. For more information on climate, services (with contact numbers), history, recreation, area attractions and more see our area info page!
|
|
|
|
|
|
