Beautiful stretches of beach, breath-taking sunsets, and the oldest continuously operating lighthouse beckon visitors to Port Orford, Oregon. On the north edge of Port Orford, is the turnoff for Cape Blanco Lighthouse. Visitors who follow the signs for the six mile drive out to the westernmost point in Oregon are greeted at the end of the drive with the spectacular view of Cape Blanco and its tall, elegant lighthouse.

Originally named Cape Blanco de Aguilar by a Spanish sea captain who spotted the area in 1603 and was awed by its "white" appearance, this gorgeous cape draws visitors with its breath-taking coastline and spectucular views surrounding the lighthouse in every direction. Many visitors to this area enjoy simply going to the west side of the lighthouse so they can say they've stood as far west as they can in the state of Oregon.

Standing this close to the lighthouse, visitors can truly appreciate how huge this lighthouse actually is. Most of the materials used for construction of the lighthouse were shipped in while the bricks were actually made locally. However, a gentleman named Liutenant Colonel R.S. Williamson was the engineer of record on the construction, and he watched carefully over the construction of this southernmost Oregon lighthouse. It's reported that he rejected nearly 20,000 of the 200,000 bricks used to build the tower as inferior, refusing to let this station be anything less than superb. Finally, on December 20, 1870, the lens was lit for the first time and has been in constant operation ever since. Tours are available in the lighthouse and some of the surrounding buildings all year around, Thursday through Monday each week.

As if the lighthouse wasn't enough to draw visitors to the small coastal community of Port Orford, a walk along the beach downtown is enough to bring visitors back time and time again. If they're lucky enough, they may even catch the spectacular sight of fog settling in along the edge of the hillside. However, no matter the time of day or night, a walk along Port Orford's beaches will always be time well spent.

Known for its mild climate, Port Orford boasts very dynamic sandy beaches with headlands of sandstone and metamorphic rock. These provide shelter and homes for many types of plant and animal life. Scuba diving is also a very popular activity, especially when the whales are traveling through the area. A large array of driftwood also gets regularly deposited along the plentiful beaches making beach-combing yet another favorite activity among community members and visitors alike. In Port Orford, there's something on the beach for everyone.

Finally, visitors are strongly encouraged to plan their trip to include a sunset in Port Orford. With the hillsides, the calming beaches, and the surrounding peaceful areas, sunset in Port Orford is not to be missed. Visitors are encouraged to head just south of town to one of the many roadside viewpoints between Port Orford and Brookings to just sit and enjoy one of nature's most spectacular gifts. The picture here simply doesn't do this experience justice. It's a must for visitors to Port Orford. Don't miss it.

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