Situated just an hour west of the larger city of Eugene, Florence is home to miles of rolling sand dunes, beautiful beaches, and charming boutiques making it an incredible small-town getaway. We had the privilege to spend one day exploring this adorable coastal town, and even though the weather didn’t cooperate enough for us to experience the incredible Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area that Florence is known for, we still had a wonderful time and were able to put together what we think is the perfect one day in Florence itinerary!
*Be sure to watch our "One Day in Florence" travel vlog for a closer look at our time in Florence*
8:30am: Coffee/Breakfast
River Roasters (1240 Bay St)
Located in historic Old Town, this riverfront outboard motor repair shop turned coffee shop is serving up the best locally roasted cup-o-joe in town alongside delicious, house made baked goods. With decor and remnants from what used to call this building home, River Roaster’s provides an incredible ambiance that will have you feeling like a local before your coffee can get cold. And if that’s not enough to entice a visit out of you, there’s a wonderful outdoor seating area with excellent views of the Siuslaw River and the Siuslaw River Bridge.
Old Town Coffee Roasters (125 1/2 Nopal St)
Big Dog Donuts and Deli (1136 US-101)
9:30am: Sea Lion Caves (91560 US-101)
This system of sea caves and caverns located about 10 miles north of Florence is the largest sea cave in the United States and is where Steller sea lions and their cubs take shelter each year. The caves are privately owned and operated and at the time of writing this will cost you $16/adult to get in. Be sure to call ahead of time and see if the sea lions are in the caves during your visit though… Otherwise you might be quite disappointed and $16 poorer.
11:30am: Heceta Head Lighthouse (97439 US-101)
Built in 1892 and located just 13 miles north of Florence, this working lighthouse set on a rocky cliff 205 feet above the Pacific Ocean is a must-see when visiting Florence. Once you get to the parking area at the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint (which will cost you $5), it's an easy half-mile hike up to the lighthouse. There’s also a small gift shop and beautiful bed & breakfast along your hike. If you plan far enough in advance (unlike us) you might be fortunate enough to find an open room at the Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast which is housed in one of the last remaining Lightkeeper’s cottages on the Pacific Coast! It’s also worth noting that sightseeing tours of the lighthouse are available throughout the year.
If you have a little more time after your adventure around the lighthouse, check out the Hobbit Trail… It’s a half-mile path leading down to a secluded beach on the north side of Heceta Head. We didn’t get a chance to explore this area, but from what we’ve seen, it looks awesome!