Overview
Brookings-Harbor is the southernmost city on the Oregon Coast. Five miles (8 km) south of the city limits on Highway 101 is California.
8 sights · 7 things to do · 9 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 10 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Brookings-Harbor
Alfred A. Loeb State Park
Crissey Beach
Crissey Field State Park is located at the mouth of the Winchuck River. It has a state-of-the-art visitors center and miles of beach.
Harris Beach
Possibly the most well-known beach in Brookings, it is a very popular spot for camping and flying kites. It's also a place where you can witness one of the most gorgeous sunsets in Oregon.
Lone Ranch Beach
A very secluded beach, it is mainly used for nice long walks or a warm camp fire in the evening.
Pelican Bay Lighthouse
Pelican Bay Lighthouse is privately owned and tours are rarely offered, but it is clearly visible from Sporthaven Beach or the commercial boat basin.
St. George Reef Lighthouse
The St. George Reef Lighthouse is visible (during clear weather) on the ocean horizon from many high points in Brookings and Harbor. It is accessible only by boat or by helicopter.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 32°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Medford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CEC Jack Mc Namara Field Airport, Crescent City — 19 mi away. Directions
- ACV California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, Arcata/Eureka — 75 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 258 mi away (major hub). Directions
There is one road into Brookings, Highway 101, which is the town's main street. In town it is also known as Chetco Avenue.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Crissey Beach, Chetco Valley Museum, Pelican Bay Lighthouse
- Lunch Mattie's Pancake & Omelette
- Afternoon Sporthaven Beach, Chetco Community Public Library
- Dinner Fat Cat Pizza
- Evening Chetco Brewing Company
Day 2
- Morning Lone Ranch Beach, Whaleshead Beach
- Lunch Rice Bowl
- Afternoon Camping
- Dinner Rancho Viejo
Day 3
- Morning Alfred A. Loeb State Park
- Lunch Wild River Pizza
- Afternoon Hiking Trails
- Dinner Chan's Restaurant
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
There is one road into Brookings, Highway 101, which is the town's main street. In town it is also known as Chetco Avenue.
By bus
Place SouthWest Point (Operated by Pacific Crest Bus Lines)
Inter-city bus service serving southwestern Oregon and Del Norte County, California. The bus runs to Brookings from Smith River, Crescent City, Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, and Klamath Falls. Connections to Greyhound and Flixbus is in Medford and connections to Amtrak is in Klamath Falls
Get around
The main strip in Brookings is Highway 101, aka Chetco Avenue. Other common roads in town are Railroad Street, Easy Street, and Ransom Street which will navigate you around the library, school, community pool, and community fields and parks. From there you can get pretty much anywhere in town.
See
Beaches
The main attractions in Brookings and Harbor are the beautiful clean beaches.
See Sporthaven Beach
South Jetty Beach is popular for surfing, enjoying the scenery, trailer camping, and you can also see commercial fishing vessels come in and out of the jetty. Below is a great picture of a local boat trying to cross the bar in hazardous conditions.
See Lone Ranch Beach
A very secluded beach, it is mainly used for nice long walks or a warm camp fire in the evening.
See Whaleshead Beach
Whaleshead beach has a beautiful resort right next to it. This provides a great place for vacationers to take a stroll on the beach or build a sand castle.
Lighthouses
Two lighthouses are visible from or in the Brookings Harbor area.
See Pelican Bay Lighthouse
Pelican Bay Lighthouse is privately owned and tours are rarely offered, but it is clearly visible from Sporthaven Beach or the commercial boat basin.
See St. George Reef Lighthouse
The St. George Reef Lighthouse is visible (during clear weather) on the ocean horizon from many high points in Brookings and Harbor. It is accessible only by boat or by helicopter.
Do
- Salmon Fishing Fishing is a fun activity while you are in Brookings. Whether it is on the Pacific Ocean or the Chetco River, you always have a good chance of catching a salmon when the season is open. If you don't know much about salmon fishing there are many guides around town that will be more than happy to take you out and catch a big one, for a price.
- Bruin Sports If you are new to the area or just looking for something to do, attend a Brookings-Harbor High School sports game and witness the strong support the community has for its local teams. Check for game listings in the local newspaper, the Curry Coastal Pilot.
- Chetco River The river is a beautiful place to camp, fish, have a camp fire, picnic, and swim during the summer. Just take the North Bank Road off of Highway 101 just north of the Chetco River Bridge and you will run into many river bars and camp sites such as Loeb Park, Miller Bar, Little Redwood, and South Fork.
Do Hiking Trails
There are several easy hiking trails in the area, including the Bomb Site Trail, where in 1942 a Japanese bomber firebombed the area in hopes of starting a forest fire, and Chetco Point Park, where your choice of trails can lead to a tiny, sheltered beach or a spectacular bluff overlooking Pelican Bay and the Pacific Ocean.
Do Azalea Park
Azalea Park is known as the "Jewel of Brookings." It features a large playground known as "KidTown," sand volleyball courts, soccer and baseball fields, horseshoe pits, the "Octopus Tree," the "Capella by the Sea," and several miles of walking trails. Look for free concerts on Sundays in the summer, and a holiday light show.
Do Camping
Brookings has several campgrounds, including Harris Beach State Park and Loeb State Park.
Do Whale-watching
Whale-watching is a popular activity in the Brookings area, especially during the autumn and spring gray whale migrations. Humpback whales, bowfin whales, and occasionally blue whales or orcas are often seen from Harris Beach State Park and Cape Ferello overlooks.
Buy
There are several classic gift shops in Brookings.
Shop Beachfront Gifts
Beachfront Gifts is in Harbor, between the commercial boat basin and Sporthaven Beach. It features classic travel gifts, including sweatshirts and t-shirts. Pelican Bay Lighthouse is clearly visible from the store's parking lot.
Eat
Eat Mattie's Pancake & Omelette
Excellent omelettes. Great, friendly service.
Eat Hungry Clam
Low-key counter serve dishing fried-fish platters & sandwiches, plus burgers, chowder & hot dogs.
Eat La Flor De Mexico
Excellent and affordable Mexican buffet.
Eat Rancho Viejo
A great Mexican restaurant
Eat Zola's on the Water
Family-owned and operated pizzeria; all of their ingredients are fresh and baked in their brick oven.
Drink
Drink Chetco Brewing Company
16 taps of beer with hops, herbs, and fruit grown on the property. They also make their own root beer and kombucha tea. Dog friendly.
Sleep
Stay Whaleshead Beach Resort & Restaurant
Restaurant and resort. Great at customer service and delicious food.
Go next
- Bandon- Here you can enjoy year-round fishing, cycling, golf, hiking and beach going.
- Port Orford- The oldest town on the Oregon Coast and the most westerly in the 48 states
- Coos Bay- Great place to live, work and play surrounded by a beautiful protected bay, lush emerald forests and the mighty Pacific Ocean.
- Myrtle Point- Lies in the south-central portion of Coos County, Oregon in the foothills of the Coast Range
- North Bend- It is surrounded on three sides by Coos Bay, an S-shaped water inlet and estuary where the Coos River enters Coos Bay and borders the city of Coos Bay to the south
Nearby
Crescent City
City / town · 9 listings · 21 mi away
Gold Beach
City / town · 47 listings · 25 mi away
Cave Junction
City / town · 9 listings · 34 mi away
Klamath
City / town · 8 listings · 39 mi away
Oregon Caves National Monument
Park · 16 listings · 45 mi away
Redwood National Park
Park · 20 listings · 46 mi away
Port Orford
City / town · 8 listings · 49 mi away
Merlin
City / town · 3 listings · 54 mi away
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