Exploring Bastendorff Beach: A Quick Coastal Escape

My goal is to visit every coastal town in the Pacific Northwest. I fell in love with this region years ago and I never get tired of the sea stacks, the majestic views, and those winding roads that drop from high elevations right down to the surf.

The Road to Coos Bay

Every town has its own vibe. When I found out we were heading to the coast for my daughter’s gymnastics competition, I was all in. We took the scenic route down Highway 42, winding through the back country for a few hours before finally hitting the Coos Bay area.

Arriving at Bastendorff Beach

Since it was the closest spot to our room, we headed straight for Bastendorff Beach. The scene was exactly what I needed after the drive: friendly, quiet, and uncrowded. We saw a few locals and a guy out walking his dog, but otherwise, we had the place to ourselves. I even spotted some great-looking camping spots right along the beach that I’m keeping in mind for a future overnight stay.

While the beach itself was a great place to stretch our legs, the real highlight was at the very end of the coastline. As we walked, my daughter stayed ahead of me, enjoying the open space while I trailed behind with the camera.

Finding the Hidden Sea Cave

Suddenly, the terrain shifted. At the edge of the beach, we hit a massive rock formation and discovered a hidden sea cave tucked into the cliffside. It was the perfect “hidden gem” moment. If you’re short on time or just want to see the cave without the long beach trek, you can actually drive all the way to the end of the access road to hit the rock formations directly.

There is just something about the Oregon coast that makes even a quick trip feel like a true adventure. It was the perfect start to a weekend that would eventually take us through Charleston, Sunset Bay, and down to Bandon.