Whether it's lighthouses, gambling, waterfalls, or just gorgeous beaches, Coos Bay has what visitors want. Well known as the location of The Mill Casino & Resort, this popular coastal town boasts both natural and man-made beauty. Between Cape Arago, Bastendorf Beach (pictured), and Sunset Bay, it's no wonder visitors and business owners alike adore this coastal town. Coos Bay currently serves as the largest deep-draft coastal harbor between San Francisco and Puget Sound, moving an estimated 120 deep-draft vessels and another 120 cargo barges through its harbor annually. That adds up to an average of three million tons of goods each year.

While the business needs may have expanded over the years, the area has always been popular with shippers, which lead to the creation of the first Cape Arago Lighthouse in 1866, shortly after Oregon's first lighthouse, the Umpqua River Light in Reedsport collapsed. Soon severe weather and the natural movement of the ocean forced the first, and then the second lighthouse (in 1909) at this location to be dismantled. The current forty feet tall concrete tower was constructed in 1934 and continues to stand on the islet that's been battered by the elements over the years.

Cape Arago Lighthouse is not open to the public, due to its dangerous surroundings. However, a decent view of the lighthouse is available just outside of Charleston (a few miles west of Coos Bay - follow the signs for Cape Arago), from Sunset Bay Park (pictured). Visitors can get another nice view of the lighthouse at a small roadside viewpoint just a little further west of Sunset Bay Park. Again, watch for the signs - it can sneak up on drivers as they're taking in the rest of the gorgeous scenery.

One such similar spot to stop along this same road out to Cape Arago is at Shell Island where visitors can use telescopes to get a great view of the sea lions that make Shell Island their home. These telescopes are provided courtesy of the Shoreline Education for Awareness. Given the right weather, visitors can enjoy quite a show as the animals frolick in the water or just lay out for a tan. Donations are accepted at this location for use of the telescopes. (It's more than worth it!)

Finally at the end of the road, visitors reach Cape Arago. Gorgeous in its own right and, alone, worth the drive out into the country, Cape Arago provides visitors with a great place to picnic, hike down to the beach, or just sit and enjoy the spectacular Pacific Ocean as it has carved its way into the land. When visiting Cape Arago, it's recommended visitors allow some time to just sit and enjoy. They'll be very glad they did!

If visitors get their fill of Cape Arago, back in Coos Bay, they can enjoy a quick stop at the Mill Casino, stroll along the boardwalk, or just enjoy the coastal life. However, if the city itself doesn't hold their interest, there is one more place that comes highly recommended: Golden and Silver Falls, south of Coos Bay, off of Highway 101. Signs are plentiful so visitors shouldn't have a hard time finding them, but before taking off, they need to be prepared for a long and tedious drive.

From Highway 101, there's approximately 20 miles on a single lane, curvy highway, followed by another 5 miles or so of "country road" (without center or outside guide lines). Then, visitors switch to a very bumpy, often single lane (one way) road that can best be described as a very, long driveway. This trip is best taken with a larger vehicle that doesn't sit low to the ground as stones and gravel have built up over the years in the center of this drive and smaller vehicles may "drag bottom" as they approach the falls. All together in time, visitors should allow at least 2 hours for this trip from Highway 101 and back to the highway again.

All this driving shouldn't discourage those who love waterfalls though, or even those who just like them. Once visitors arrive at the parking lot for the falls, there's just a short, very mild hike into the woods - one each direction - to Golden Falls (above) and Silver Falls (right). Even in the midst of summer, these falls are constantly going strong and are magnificent sights to see. They are well worth the time and trouble to get there. Go enjoy - just be ready to drive!

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