Bullards Beach State Park

During our recent three night stay at Bullards Beach State Park Mother Nature graced us with two dull drizzly days, and one spectacular sunny day. We took advantage of the sunny day to get out and explore the beach.

Bullards Beach

Bullards Beach is another of Oregon’s awesome coastal state parks with tons of walking trails and a beach less than a mile from the campsites. We’re constantly amazed by how deserted these beautiful beaches are. It’s like having your own private piece of paradise!

Birds in flight

Tim on a driftwood island

The beach was scattered with shiny polished stones

After our walk we drove a few miles down the road to check out the quaint little town of Bandon. The night before we had enjoyed dinner in town at The Loft Restaurant & Bar, but it was dark and all the stores were closed so we didn’t get to see much of the town. Dinner was fantastic though. Seriously….fantastic. We both agreed that it was the best meal out we’ve had since the start of our travels. I had roasted butterfish (a highly sustainable Pacific Ocean fish also known as sablefish or black cod. You can read about this tasty fish here) over barely sauteed spinach with a porcini mushroom sauce that was so good I wanted to lick my plate! Tim had the special which was some sort of beef dish served with melt in your mouth potato and goat cheese croquettes. The fish is purchased everyday off the docks, the beef is raised right down the road, and everything was amazing. If you ever find yourself hungry in Bandon Oregon, The Loft is the place to go.

During the day Bandon was a charming seaside town with a small main street lined with cute gift shops, candy stores, and antique shops. Since we had blown our budget at the restaurant the night before (deliciousness like that is not cheap) we skipped the shops and headed down to the town docks for a stroll by the water. It was a sunny Saturday and the public crabbing dock was teaming with activity.

Public crabbing dock

A friendly bird atop the fish cleaning station. He knows where the good stuff is!

The next day was cloudy, drizzly and windy….but we went out exploring anyway. First we drove over to the Coquille River Lighthouse which is located inside the state park. We seem to have bad luck when it comes to lighthouses. The last time we tried for a tour at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse we arrived just as it was closing for the day. This time we arrived four days too late. It turns out the lighthouse closes for the season on the 16th of October. Oh well, I guess once again we’ll be viewing this one from the outside only.

Coquille River Lighthouse

The beach near the lighthouse was cold and cloudy

Phineas enjoyed himself anyway

Since our lighthouse tour was a bust we drove over to check out the south jetty beach where giant ominous sea stacks dominate the landscape. By this time is was drizzly and windy, but we set out for a short walk anyway.

Sea stacks

After exploring miles and miles of coastline dominated by wide open spaces and sand dunes this area reminded us more of our visits to Rialto and Ruby Beach in Washington than the Oregon we had come to know.

More sea stacks

sand & rocks

Bullards Beach S.P. was a great stop along the southern Oregon coast. As the weather is falling apart around us the length of time we spend at each park is shortening, but we’re still determined to explore the rest of the coast. Next up- Cape Blanco State Park and another attempt at a lighthouse tour (this one’s open till the end of October, I checked).