Find Your Inner Zen on an Oregon’s Adventure Coast Girlfriend’s Getaway

Gather Your Girlfriends for Three Days of Adventure & Zen on Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston

After two years of living through what can only be described as unprecedented times, we could all use a hard reset and time to reconnect with good friends. Many women, in particular, are feeling exhausted and living with more stress than ever before - which means the time for self care and a Zen-filled Girlfriend’s Getaway is now. Experiencing the peaceful vibe on Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston is the perfect way to restore calm and enjoy new and inspiring experiences with your best girlfriends. To help you plan a much-needed getaway, we created this itinerary inspired by this Girlfriend’s Getaway trip idea to help you find your inner zen and restore connections with yourself and your besties.

Girlfriend’s Getaway Itinerary Day One

LATE MORNING: OREGON DUNES NATIONAL RECREATION AREA & LUNCH

After a beautiful, relaxing drive (or flight) to Oregon’s South Coast, your first stop is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area , the largest expansion of coastal sand dunes in North America. It is here where you will jump start your getaway and experience the joy that can only come with an exhilarating ATV ride up and down towering sand dunes. With more than 32,186 acres of dunes, forest, streams and lakes, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure. We recommend booking your Oregon Dunes ride in advance, and read Wanted: First Time ATV Riders on the Oregon Dunes to learn how to get started!

After your adrenaline pumping “joy ride”, head over to Clausen Oysters Bistro in North Bend for what will probably be the freshest oysters you’ve ever had. If weather permits, be sure to sit on their patio overlooking the water.

If you and your squad prefer something other than oysters for lunch, you can make the quick drive into downtown Coos Bay and treat yourself to a tasty lunch. There are plenty of options to choose from, but some local favorites include Shark Bites Seafood Café , Fisherman’s Seafood Market , Coney Station , and Blue Heron Bistro , just to name a few. Download our Local Restaurant Guide to keep with you, or visit Oregonsadventurecoast.com/dining to see all our local restaurants.

EARLY AFTERNOON: COOS BAY & A LUXURIOUS SPA TREATMENT

After lunch, drop by the Coos Bay Visitor Information Center, where our friendly staff and volunteers will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and give you local tips! While you’re here, ask us about the Southern Oregon Coast Charm Trail , a fun-filled adventure where you explore local destinations and collect individual charms for a one-of-a-kind charm bracelet. Maps are available at the visitor center, or you can download a map here .

While you are in downtown Coos Bay, take some time to explore the unique shops and/or stroll along the Coos Bay Boardwalk, before indulging in a relaxing afternoon massage and/or spa mani/pedi at The Hair Co. Etc. Salon & Day Spa (we recommend booking ahead of time).

LATE AFTERNOON: EXPLORE ONE OF OUR MUSEUMS

If there’s time, your next stop should be the Coos Art Museum (check the website for current days/times), the cornerstone of visual arts on Oregon’s Southern Coast (be sure to check out the rare personal items of champion runner Steve Prefontaine). If history is more your thing, the Coos History Museum (check the website for current days/times), Oregon’s oldest continuously operated historical society, has amazing exhibits and features more than 250,000 historic photographs.

EVENING: DINNER & COSMIC BOWLING

Once you’ve had your cultural fill, it’s time to head to your hotel and rest up before heading out for drinks and dinner at the 7 Devils Waterfront Alehouse (reservations are recommended). Later in the evening, let the good times roll as you take in some Bowling at North Bend Lanes . Tip- The patio at the Back Alley Pub & Grill is the best kept secret in town! Enjoy a late night snack and/or nightcap with the ladies.

Girlfriend’s Getaway Itinerary Day Two:

MORNING: BREAKFAST & CAPE ARAGO BEACH LOOP

Rise & shine, you’ve got a big day of exploration and relaxation ahead, and will need a hearty breakfast to fuel up! You won’t regret a heaping plate of Swedish Pancakes and Lingonberry or Strawberry Croissant French Toast at the Pancake Mill Restaurant & Pie Shoppe . Warning - this place is wildly popular with locals! Get there EARLY or be prepared to wait for a table. You can also enjoy a fresh, hot breakfast at the Stockpot Restaurant in Coos Bay, The Original Cape Cafe in the Charleston Marina, and Mom’s Kitchen in North Bend.

After breakfast, plan to spend a few hours experiencing peace and natural beauty on undeveloped beaches, while exploring some of Oregon’s best state parks along the Cape Arago Beach Loop . Download this guide to help you on your route and create your own Zen experience. Please do not touch the wildlife under any circumstances! Some of our favorite zen-like activities include

• Taking a meditative walk and watching the surfers on Bastendorff Beach
• Searching for natural treasures in tide pools in the protected beach in Sunset Bay State Park . (Remember: do not touch these natural treasures!)
• Watching the seals and sea lions on Simpson Reef and Shell Island , part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
• Taking in vast ocean views and strolling through the gardens at Shore Acres State Park , the crown jewel of the Oregon Coast.
• Trekking through zen-like coastal forests on one of the many trails along the Cape Arago Beach Loop . You might even discover the perfect place to stop and do a few yoga poses.

AFTERNOON: FRESH SEAFOOD, A WATER ADVENTURE & ICE CREAM

Next thing you know, it will be time to grab some fish-n-chips and/or clam chowder from Monkey Business in Charleston (many say it’s the best clam chowder on the Oregon Coast). Other popular Charleston, Oregon lunch spots include Fisherman’s Grotto , and Miller’s at the Cove .

After lunch, you will unplug and reconnect with nature while exploring the peaceful waterways on a guided kayak tour or a stand-up paddleboarding (SUP ) adventure. Need equipment? No problem! Bahama Boards in Coos Bay is a fantastic place to purchase or rent kayaks and paddle boards, in addition to gear, clothing, and accessories. Waxer’s Surf Shop also offers rentals, surf, kayak and SUP lessons, while Canoas Bay Bridge Rentals in North Bend offers kayak rentals and other fishing necessities.

If you’re interested in a Guided Paddling Tour, we recommend booking a South Slough Wildlife Viewing Kayak Tour in advance with South Coast Tours (typically lasts about 2.5 hours) or booking a half-day paddling tour on the Coos Estuary, on the lower Coquille River or on Eel Lake with Wavecrest Discoveries .

Be sure to hit the ice cream parlor inside the relatively new Face Rock Creamery in Coos Bay , before heading back to your hotel to clean up and rest.

EVENING: DINNER & CASINO GAMING

Wind down and enjoy a slightly more upscale restaurant experience at the Hilltop House Restaurant & Lounge , Coach House Restaurant & Lounge or Restaurant O, (reservations recommended) before hitting our two casinos . The Mill Casino and Three Rivers Casino Coos Bay are sure to give you a thrilling experience! Enjoy a nightcap at Warehouse 101 inside The Mill Casino.

Girlfriend’s Getaway Itinerary Day Three:

MORNING: BREAKFAST & GOLDEN AND SILVER FALLS

It’s your final day on Oregon’s Adventure Coast, so make it count! Before heading home, grab a fresh, hot cup of coffee and a delicious pastry at a local coffee shop like Bayside Coffee & Tea (download our Coffee Shops, Bakeries, & Specialty Shops Guide for other ideas) and drive to the Golden & Silver Falls State Natural Area where you and your girlfriends will embark on a blissful hike through scenic canyons and lush coastal forests to two magnificent waterfalls. The drive to the falls is part of the adventure (about an hour off Highway 101, on Highway 241), with winding roads that narrow in places - but it’s 100% worth it!

If you’re short on time, the trails at South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (SSNERR) will have a similar zen-like effect. This glorious nature preserve covers 19,000 acres and offers miles of beautiful hiking trails and waterways to explore for all ability levels. SSNERR is also home to various marine life, plant and bird species - so be sure to bring binoculars with you! Click here for the Estuary Study Trails map (pdf).

We can’t think of a better way to wrap up a blissful, peaceful, zen-filled Girlfriend’s Getaway on Oregon’s Adventure Coast: Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston. For more travel inspiration, see our Adventures page and our Trip Ideas page to see all there is to do on Oregon’s Adventure Coast, and/or contact the Coos Bay – North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau . Or request a visitor’s packet today .

You can also follow Oregon’s Adventure Coast Facebook , @travelcoosbay on Instagram , Twitter and TikTok to find inspiration on the best spots to visit, eat, stay and explore any time of the year. Request your FREE visitor’s packet today !

More Travel Ideas & Itineraries

• One-Day Travel Itinerary: A Perfect Adventure in North Bend, Oregon.
• 22 Things to Do this Fall on Oregon’s Adventure Coast!
• A Two-Day Getaway in Charleston, Oregon
• Winter Fun On Oregon’s Adventure Coast
• Sand, Seafood and Surf in Coos Bay
• 11 Dog-Friendly Activities to Do this Fall on Oregon’s Adventure Coast
• Where & How to Explore the Amazing Tide-Pools on Oregon’s Adventure Coast
• Where to Find Local Tour Guides & Charters on Oregon’s Adventure Coast
• How to Plan the Perfect Hiking Adventure on Oregon’s Adventure Coast
• Whiskey Run Mountain Bike Trails!
• Things You Should Definitely Do Before & During Your Visit to Oregon’s Adventure Coast!
• Paddle Your Way Through Beauty and Adventure on Oregon’s Adventure Coast

As the developments with COVID-19 continue to unfold, please follow the direction of our public health authorities, including the CDC, Oregon Health Authority, and Coos Health & Wellness, to protect yourself, our community and our visitors. Face coverings are mandatory for all when inside a public space, AND outdoors when 6 ft distancing cannot be maintained. If you are ready to travel, we are ready to welcome you back to Oregon’s Adventure Coast. However, if you are feeling ill or not comfortable traveling right now, we encourage you to stay home and stay healthy. Let’s all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Visit the state’s **Safe+Strong Oregon ** page for more information.