It's beautiful.
I suppose I should write more. It's the Oregon Coast, but it's still remarkable even when compared to the other numerous state parks along the coast. It is one of the most beautiful areas on the coast. While it is popular, you still feel isolated from the rest of the world. Even with the 50 or so other people there when we sat on the beach to watch the sunset, I still felt like we were the only ones there. There's something about the frame the rocky points on either side of the beach create that focuses your attention on the ocean and not on the people around you. Of course there's a reason they call it Sunset Bay - that frame works perfectly to give a frequently amazing sunset some substance. Every picture you take will be a good one. Look around at sites that have any pictures of Oregon and I bet you find quite a few of Sunset Bay.
Okay, so we were there five nights and were only able to view a sunset once. The first four days and nights were almost completely socked in with fog that Cape Arago just refused to let go of. A drive of not more than 10 minutes would take us to temperatures in the 70s and 80s, but the damp Sunset Bay didn't get out of the 50s . . . maybe the low 60s. I honestly can't say if this is common or if it was just our luck, but if you get to the beach with any glimpse of the sunset, it will be a good one. Our sunset was not the most colorful the bay has ever seen, but it was still well worth it.
The highlight of the area was not, however, the sunset. The tide pools were what made this trip most worth it for me. I went out to climb on the rocks and look at the tide pools three times. The best viewing for me was in the morning with the tide at about a +2 and fog thick enough to not be able to see the beach from the rocky point we climbed out to on the north side of the bay. The amount of sea life in these pools made the trek out well worth it. We also went out after dark (don't tell the rangers - this day use area closes at 9pm. Don't get me started on this. You close a place called "Sunset Bay" at 9pm??). During this visit, we were able to see more of the crabs and other non-vegetation life. The crabs were not so quick to scurry away from our flashlights as they were from seeing us walk up to them in the daylight. The rocks are treacherous to walk on in the best of conditions, however, and doing so at night did not prove easy. Tim fell in the water and the rest of us got muddy in one way or another. We also went out at the lowest tide when we were there, about -2. This tide was actually too low, however. The best tide pools are up higher and with the water as low as it was, we tended to stay closer to the water's edge. There wasn't much here, but getting up early in the morning and seeing the birds hunting for food, the fishermen beginning their morning trip and the people start to come out to see the sights was well worth it. We climbed out to the north point and watched the ocean beat against the rocks for at least a half hour. I could have done it all day, but there was plenty more to be done and the tide wouldn't have allowed for us to stay out there all day.
We saw pelicans, of course plenty of seagulls and other birds I couldn't begin to name. Big Creek pours into the ocean at Sunset Bay, which makes for an even better setting. I recommend a walk out to the edge of the sand, or for the more adventurous explorers, a climb on any accessible rocks. Of course, be careful. I would have ventured further, but I didn't want to not be able to find a way back down. I definitely do not ever want to be able to say I have been saved by a Coast Guard helicopter. One day, however, I will find a way out to the sand spit that goes out to what would be an island in high tide so I can get a good look at that Cape Arago Lighthouse (more on that later).
Here are the specifics:
Fee: No fee for the day use area
Pets: Pets are welcome on leash
Facilities: Flush toilets, picnic tables, areas for group events (weddings, etc.), volleyball courts, horseshoe pits available
Camping: Yes (see camping entry, to come)
Season: Year round
Coordinates: 43.332861, -124.373558 (Unverified)
Governmental Agency Land: Oregon State Parks & Recreation
Nearest town: Charleston, Oregon (2.7 miles)
Nearest 10,000+ city: Coos Bay, Oregon (7.8 miles)
County: Coos County, Oregon
My rating (out of 6): 5.5
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