Get Some Fun PCH Gifts Here

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Gold Beach, Oregon

Gold Beach is a small town on the Oregon coast at the mouth of the Rogue River with the Pacific Coast Highway, here called the Oregon Coast Highway, running right through it.

Gold Beach in OregonGold Beach in Oregon

Despite its name and the fact that it does have some wonderful beaches, Gold Beach is as much a place for those who like activity holidays and the outdoors. There's great hiking, biking, and fishing.

Sunset at Gold Beach in OregonSunset at Gold Beach

Talking of the name, Gold Beach has more right than most to call itself that. The name comes not from the golden sands (even though they are) but from the fact that during the gold rush days gold was found on the beach. The town was originally called Ellensburg, but changed its name to Gold Beach in 1890 as that's what everyone was calling it.

The Lee Paterson Bridge crosses the Rogue River in Gold Beach in OregonThe Lee Paterson Bridge crosses the Rogue River in Gold Beach

What to Do in Gold Beach

Curry Historical Museum

Located at 29419 Ellensburg Avenue, this is only a small museum but if you're spending a day or two in Gold Beach then you need to pay a visit and learn about the interesting story of Gold Beach and southern Oregon, including that story of gold being found on the beach.

The Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach in Oregon

Fishing

There's year-round fishing along the Rogue River, a very popular place with anglers who come to catch salmon, steelhead, cod, tuna, and other fishes. There are four other rivers within an hour's drive of Gold Beach, and you can also go surf fishing and ocean fishing.

An osprey carrying a fish at Gold Beach in OregonIt's Not Only People Who Enjoy Fishing at Gold Beach!

Hiking

There's a hiking trail to suit all tastes and all levels of fitness in and around Gold Beach. You can walk coastal paths, hike along the Rogue River, see the largest myrtle tree in Oregon on the Myrtle Tree Trail, and see the giant trees of Oregon's Old-Growth Forests on the Shrader Old-Growth Trail.

Boat trip on the Rogue River from Gold BeachBoat Trip on the Rogue River

Rogue River Museum

Located in Jerry's Rogue Jets (29985 Harbor Way), this obviously tells the story of the Rogue River. The river runs for about 215 miles (346 km), all the way from the Cascade Mountains, to reach the Pacific at Gold Beach. If you're interested in the river, Jerry's does a range of river trips, including whitewater rafting, and a full-day excursion where you can watch for wildlife in the Rogue River Canyon.

A heron on the Rogue River near Gold Beach in OregonA Heron on the Rogue River

When to Visit Gold Beach

Although Oregon is noted for its rain, it is a little drier here along the southern coast. After all, it's only about 35 miles (56 kms) to the California border. Average rainfall is about 80 inches (2032 mm), and there is some measurable rainfall on about one day in three. Most of those days are in the winter, and some days may only get a sprinkling. June-September are the driest months with just a few days of rain on average.

Dramatic skies at Gold Beach in OregonDramatic Skies at Gold Beach

From May to October the average high temperatures are in the 60s/upper 60s (16-20C roughly), while in winter it doesn't normally drop below freezing but there can be some dramatic winter storms.

Dramatic skies at Gold Beach in Oregon

Where to Stay in Gold Beach

We stayed in a wonderful hotel, the Tu Tu' Tun Lodge, which is along the Rogue River. It's about a 15-minute drive to the north east of Gold Beach. You can read our review here. 

Bald Eagles on the Rogue River near Gold Beach in OregonBald Eagles on the Rogue River

More Information

You can find out more on the very thorough Visit Gold Beach website, the City of Gold Beach website, or when you get to town go to the Gold Beach Visitor Center. This stands right by the Pacific Coast Highway at 94080 Shirley Lane.

Other Oregon pages

  • The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park in North Bend and Coos Bay on the Pacific Coast Highway is Native-American owned and with waterfront views.

    North Bend Casino Hotel

    The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park in North Bend and Coos Bay on the Pacific Coast Highway is Native-American owned and with waterfront views.

  • The Florence Sea Lion Caves are one of the best wildlife attractions along the Pacific Coast Highway, north of Florence and south of Yachats.

    Florence Sea Lion Caves

    The Florence Sea Lion Caves are one of the best wildlife attractions along the Pacific Coast Highway, north of Florence and south of Yachats.

  • If you’re looking for good Gold Beach Oregon lodging check out the Tu Tu Tun Lodge a few miles inland along the Rogue River on the Southern Oregon coast.

    Gold Beach Oregon Lodging

    If you’re looking for good Gold Beach Oregon lodging check out the Tu Tu Tun Lodge a few miles inland along the Rogue River on the Southern Oregon coast.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to Yachats in Oregon, with a brief history of the town, what to do and see, where to stay, and how to pronounce Yachats!

    Yachats

    The Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to Yachats in Oregon, with a brief history of the town, what to do and see, where to stay, and how to pronounce Yachats!

  • Brookings in Oregon stands on the Pacific Coast Highway at the southern end of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

    Brookings

    Brookings in Oregon stands on the Pacific Coast Highway at the southern end of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

  • The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a romantic ocean front accommodation near the Pacific Coast Highway that is pet-friendly and family-friendly too.

    Ocean Lodge Cannon Beach Oregon

    The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a romantic ocean front accommodation near the Pacific Coast Highway that is pet-friendly and family-friendly too.

  • The Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to where to eat in Yachats, Oregon, focussing mainly on places with local organic produce, and mostly along Highway 101.

    Where to Eat in Yachats

    The Pacific Coast Highway Travel guide to where to eat in Yachats, Oregon, focussing mainly on places with local organic produce, and mostly along Highway 101.

  • The Frommer's Guide to Oregon has good information on hotels, restaurants and what to see in Portland, and along the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Frommers Guide to Oregon

    The Frommer's Guide to Oregon has good information on hotels, restaurants and what to see in Portland, and along the Pacific Coast Highway.

  • Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews five Astoria hotels in the budget, moderate and expensive categories and all taken from their guide to PCH accommodation.

    Astoria Hotels near the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon

    Pacific Coast Highway Travel reviews five Astoria hotels in the budget, moderate and expensive categories and all taken from their guide to PCH accommodation.

  • The Oregon Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks, and camping.

    Oregon Coast Hotels and Inns

    The Oregon Coast's hotels, inns, guesthouses, b&bs and other places to stay include 5-star luxury hotels and resorts, motel chains, RV parks, and camping.

  • The Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, Oregon, is an oceanside hotel accommodation, right by the ocean, just off the Pacific Coast Highway and with spacious rooms.

    Overleaf Lodge Yachats

    The Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, Oregon, is an oceanside hotel accommodation, right by the ocean, just off the Pacific Coast Highway and with spacious rooms.

  • Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway

    Unique Inns on the Pacific Coast Highway include some of the best independently-owned boutique hotels, spas, and lodges in California, Oregon and Washington.

  • Florence is a small city on the Oregon coast, famous for its sand dunes and sea lion caves, and with the Pacific Coast Highway going right through the centre.

    Florence in Oregon

    Florence is a small city on the Oregon coast, famous for its sand dunes and sea lion caves, and with the Pacific Coast Highway going right through the centre.

  • Depoe Bay is on the Oregon coast, a little village that's noted for whale-watching, for its spouting horns and has the smallest navigable harbor in the world.

    Depoe Bay

    Depoe Bay is on the Oregon coast, a little village that's noted for whale-watching, for its spouting horns and has the smallest navigable harbor in the world.

  • Cannon Beach is a small town on the Oregon coast on the Pacific Coast Highway and with its coastline, state parks and beaches among its attractions.

    Cannon Beach

    Cannon Beach is a small town on the Oregon coast on the Pacific Coast Highway and with its coastline, state parks and beaches among its attractions.

  • The small port of Astoria in Oregon sits right on Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, at the mouth of the Columbia River.

    Astoria in Oregon

    The small port of Astoria in Oregon sits right on Highway 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, at the mouth of the Columbia River.

  • Tillamook in Oregon is prime cheese and dairy country with the County Creamery and Blue Heron French Cheese Company among the visitor attractions.

    Tillamook

    Tillamook in Oregon is prime cheese and dairy country with the County Creamery and Blue Heron French Cheese Company among the visitor attractions.

  • The small town of Bandon on the Oregon coast is big in what it can offer visitors, including some of the finest golf along the Pacific Coast Highway.

    Bandon

    The small town of Bandon on the Oregon coast is big in what it can offer visitors, including some of the finest golf along the Pacific Coast Highway.

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