CONVENTIONS & TOURS
Surrounded by the Pacific shoreline with its dunes and beaches, Oregon’s Bay Area is located between the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on the north and Shore Acres State Park on the south. So whether you’re coming to the Bay Area for a convention, group tour, reunion, wedding, or other event, you will find diverse accommodations including 700+ guest rooms, meeting rooms available for groups up to 500, and if you’re looking for outdoor adventure tours the Bay Area offers plenty of excitement for everyone.
CONVENTION FACILITIES
The Mill Casino-Hotel (541) 756-8800. Meeting rooms and banquet facilities for 25-300 people. On-site catering available.
North Bend Community Center (541) 756-8500. Meeting & banquet facility for up to 780 people. Full kitchen available. Catering allowed. Small conference room available with theater seating for up to 50 and conference seating up to 30.
* Additional convention information available at the Coos Bay/North Bend Visitor’s and Conventions Bureau
CHARTER FISHING TOURS
Betty Kay Charters – Bill & Margery Whitmer – 1-(800) 752-6303 operates out of Charleston harbor providing ocean fishing opportunities. Contact them directly for costs and further information.
DRIVING TOURS
Charleston to Bandon Tour Route Beginning in Charleston, this 40.5 mile route with several optional spurs takes you from Charleston’s Marina, past several beaches, along ridge tops, past local commercial and agricultural ventures and ends in Bandon. The Charleston to Bandon Tour Route is nationally significant because it links two of the state’s most important coastal rivers (the Coos and the Coquille) and accesses the nation’s first National Estuarine Research Reserve, two National Wildlife Refuges, and six state parks. Further, this Tour Route gives travelers views of the southern end of the Dunes National Recreation Area, Cape Arago, Coquille River Lighthouse, and the three lead natural resource industries in Coos County: commercial fishing, timber and cranberries. The forty miles of this Tour Route are exceptionally diverse, giving an excellent introduction to the entire area.
Gray Ghost “Wine” Tours, LLC. Gray Ghost “Wine” Tours include customized tours that offer a unique experience and insights into the business of grape growing, the process that turns grapes into wine, the history of these unique terrior’s and other interesting aspects that will entice new as well as experienced wine enthusiasts. Our wine stops may include behind the scene tours, barrel tastings, food pairings, vineyard tours, historical stories and stunning views. Contact Doug & Sherrill Gray at (541) 260-8687 or grayghosttours@gmail.com
FACTORY TOURS
The Oregon Connection (formerly The House of Myrtlewood) offers a FREE Myrtlewood Factory Tour showing you how the rough logs are fashioned into a wide variety of beautiful finished products. Myrtlewood, America’s most beautiful hardwood, is found primarily in a small area on the Pacific Coast. Come and visit the 4500 square foot gift shop that also features Oregon wines, clothing, 12 varieties of fudge, gourmet foods, books and Wooden Touch Golf Putters. Write or call for a complimentary catalog. 1-(800) 255-5318 E-mail: orcon@uci.net
The Myrtlewood Factory Located five miles north of North Bend, this factory was established in 1911. FREE personalized tours let you see the process that goes from raw logs to beautiful gifts, furniture and household items — and all the steps in between. Contact them at (541) 756-2220.
HISTORICAL TOURS
Historical Markers Oregon’s Historical Markers have a history of their own. Explore Oregon’s heritage with a self-guided tour through its Historical Markers and Heritage Trees. The Visitor Information Center, 50 Central Avenue, Coos Bay has a brochure available featuring detailed information and a map.
Historical Downtown Walking Tour brochures are available at the Visitors Information Center, 50 Central Avenue, Coos Bay for self-guided walking tours of downtown Coos Bay and North Bend. The brochures feature pictures and historical information on some of the older homes and business buildings in the area as well as a map identifying locations.
Mill Slough (pronounced “sloo”) Self-guided walk through the watershed from Coos Bay to Blossom Gulch. Mill Slough collects water from the hills and funnels it to the bay, providing a route for migrating salmon. Stop by the Visitor Information Center, 50 Central Avenue, Coos Bay to pick up a brochure filled with information and a map about Mill Slough.
LIGHTHOUSE TOURS
Oregon’s surviving coastal lighthouses serve as visible, accessible links to the past — monuments to Oregon’s maritime heritage. The Oregon Coast is home to nine lighthouses, some of which are still working. Stop at the Visitors Information Center, 50 Central Avenue, Coos Bay and pick up an Oregon Coast Lighthouse brochure featuring history on all nine lighthouses, which ones are open for tours, contact numbers, etc.
NATURE TOURS
Menasha Forestry Tour Explore Coos County’s first guided tour through a working forest conducted by a professional forester. Bring your kids and your questions. FREE ADMISSION. Tours are offered in July, August and September. Seating is limited, so call the Visitors Center at (541) 269-0215 or (800) 824-8486 for further information and to reserve your spot.
South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve 5 miles S. of Charleston on Seven Devils Rd. First estuarine reserve in the nation. 4,700 acres of freshwater streams, upland forest, salt marshes, mudflats, open water channel, nature trails, boardwalk and tide flats. Many species of plants and animals. Interpretive center, educational presentations, bookstore, restrooms, phone, wheelchair access. 541-888-5558
Jerry’s Rogue Jets PO Box 1011, Gold Beach, OR. A nature-based river adventure (“Mild to Wild”) for all ages. Open daily May 2 through October 15. 64, 80 or 104 mile trips. Fun, informative & exciting. 541-247-4571 E-mail: jerrys@roguejets.com
Wavecrest Discoveries Special tour guide services for people who want to add extra value to their visit. These unique excursions are a deeply rewarding way to explore the exciting southern Oregon Coast and connect you with the region’s fascinating natural and cultural history of the dunes, beaches, lakes, bay, marshes, estuaries, and inter-tidal areas. Call Marty Giles at (541) 267-4027 E-mail: mgiles@wavecrestdiscoveries.com
Clausen’s Silverpoint Oysters, 66234 North Bay Road, North Bend. Offers tours of the oyster processing facilities. Call 541-756-3600 for more information.
SAND DUNE TOURS
Spinreel Dune Buggy Rentals 67045 Spinreel Road, North Bend or Far West 4-Wheel Rentals Inc., 68694 Sandy Way North Bend, OR. Rent ATV’s to drive in the dunes. 541-756-3419. Tours available. Large groups or families. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area features enormous, rolling dunes of sand rising to heights of more than 250 feet. Their contours are continually changing, with the wind acting as a tireless sculptor. 541-759-3313
SELF GUIDED TOURS
Please visit the Visitor Information Centers in Coos Bay or North Bend for detailed information and maps on area hiking and biking trails.
