Turn Your Game Weekend in Eugene Into a Pacific Coast Adventure

Coming to Eugene to watch your favorite college football team take on the Ducks? Why not add a spectacular Oregon Coast adventure to your football weekend?

Just 60–75 minutes west of Eugene, Florence, Oregon, puts you on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by towering dunes, wide-open beaches, dramatic coastal scenery, wildlife, golf, great food, and plenty of places to relax.

And for football fans traveling from states far from the ocean, there’s an added bonus: You can go from Autzen Stadium to the Pacific Ocean in about an hour.

So whether you're a Boise State Bronco, Portland State Viking, Michigan Wolverine, Nebraska Cornhusker, Northwestern Wildcat, UCLA Bruin, or even a Washington Husky, you're welcome in Florence!

Your Three-Day Florence Football Weekend

 

Day 1 — Fly Into Eugene and Head for the Coast

Arrive at Eugene Airport and make the Pacific Coast your first stop.

  • Fly into Eugene Airport (EUG).
  • Pick up your rental car and enjoy the scenic drive west to Florence.
  • Check into your Florence hotel, where fall and winter visitors can often find excellent rates and more availability.
  • Spend the afternoon exploring Historic Old Town Florence, with its riverfront boardwalk, shops and galleries.
  • Enjoy your first coastal dinner featuring fresh Pacific Northwest seafood.
  • Take an optional sunset beach walk or enjoy gaming, dining and entertainment at Three Rivers Casino Resort.

 

Day 2 — Discover the Oregon Coast

This is your big adventure day. Get out and experience the landscape that makes Florence unlike almost anywhere else in the country.

Morning: Explore the Oregon Dunes

Start with the extraordinary Oregon Dunes, part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Choose your adventure:

The dunes are one of those experiences you simply can't duplicate back home.

Afternoon: Cape Perpetua, Heceta Head and the Sea Lions

Head north along the coast for a spectacular string of viewpoints and attractions.

First, visit Cape Perpetua, home to one of the highest drivable viewpoints on the Oregon Coast. On a clear day, the views stretch for more than 20 miles.

Then explore the famous coastal formations, including Thor's Well, before continuing south to the iconic Heceta Head Lighthouse.

Along the way, stop for tide pooling when conditions are right. You may also spot migrating whales from coastal viewpoints.

And don't miss the wild residents of the coast at the Sea Lion Caves.

Evening: Dinner and a Little Coastal Relaxation

After a full day outdoors, enjoy a warm coastal dinner.

Then choose your own ending to the day: stroll the beach, watch the surf, explore Old Town nightlife or simply relax at your hotel.

 

Day 3 — Game Day!

Now it's time for the reason you came to Eugene.

Morning

Start with breakfast overlooking the river or enjoying the coastal atmosphere, then make the scenic drive back to Eugene.

The trip generally takes about 60–75 minutes, depending on traffic and conditions.

Afternoon

If your schedule allows, spend a little time exploring Eugene, including the University of Oregon campus, downtown and riverfront, and local breweries.

Then it's time to tailgate and get ready for the main event.

Evening

Experience the electric atmosphere of Autzen Stadium, one of college football's most exciting venues.

Cheer for your team, or ours, and enjoy the game.

Afterward, fly home the next morning or stay one more night in Florence and squeeze in another coastal adventure before your trip ends.

 

More Things to Do in Florence

If you have extra time or simply want to replace something in the itinerary, Florence has plenty more to offer.

1. Walk the Beaches and Watch the Pacific

Florence has more than 20 miles of shoreline to explore. Take a long beach walk, go beachcombing and shell hunting, photograph the scenery or simply enjoy the wide-open beaches.

Fall and winter can be especially spectacular, with misty mornings, dramatic surf and colorful sunsets. Storm watching can be an unforgettable experience.

2. Look for Wildlife

Florence is surrounded by wildlife habitat.

Go tide pooling, look for harbor seals and seabirds around the estuaries, visit the Sea Lion Caves or plan a whale-watching excursion.

Gray whales can be spotted year-round, with their southbound migration providing particularly good opportunities in late December and January. Oregon Whale Watch can help you learn more.

3. Play Golf on the Oregon Coast

Don't leave your clubs at home!

Florence's golf courses are built on natural sand, providing excellent drainage and surprisingly good year-round playability. Discover why coastal golf is a year-round attraction in Florence.

Compared with frozen or waterlogged courses in other parts of the country, a winter golf getaway on the Oregon Coast can be pretty appealing.

4. Go Crabbing or Fishing

Fall and winter are excellent seasons for Dungeness crabbing and fishing.

Depending on the season and conditions, you can pursue salmon, crab and other species in the area's rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

5. Eat Your Way Through Florence

One of the best ways to experience the Oregon Coast is at the table.

Explore Florence's restaurants and food scene for Dungeness crab, salmon, halibut, oysters, clam and crab chowders and other Pacific Northwest specialties.

6. Explore Old Town, History and Culture

Spend some time wandering through Historic Old Town Florence, where you'll find riverfront views, shops, galleries and local history.

The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum offers a look at the area's past, while the Oregon Coast Military Museum explores the region's military heritage.

Check the calendar at the Florence Events Center to see what kind of entertainment is happening during your visit.

7. Try Your Luck at Three Rivers Casino Resort

For an indoor break from the coastal weather, Three Rivers Casino Resort offers gaming, dining, entertainment and a comfortable place to unwind.

8. Discover Why Florence Is Different

Florence sits alongside the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the Siuslaw River and the Pacific Ocean, creating a combination of landscapes and adventures you won't find in most college football destinations.

Explore more things to do and attractions while you're here.

Why Football Fans Should Add Florence to Their Trip

The best thing about a Florence football weekend is that you don't have to choose between college football and an Oregon Coast vacation. You can have both.

For visitors from places without an ocean, seeing the Pacific may be a bucket-list experience. For everyone else, the combination of uncrowded beaches, dramatic scenery, outdoor adventures and small-town coastal charm makes Florence a refreshing change of pace.

And fall and winter are especially inviting.

You can often find lower lodging rates, more room choices and fewer crowds, while the cooler months bring a completely different personality to the Oregon Coast. Check Florence lodging for places to stay, from convenient Old Town accommodations to oceanfront resorts such as Driftwood Shores Resort.

You may arrive in Oregon for the football game.

You may leave talking about the coast.

Florence is a stunning coastal town with fall and winter adventures, world-class seafood, hiking, golf, wildlife, shopping and some of the most dramatic scenery on the Pacific Coast.

Ready to Extend Your Football Weekend?

Let the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce help you plan your coastal getaway.

Contact us at 541-997-3128 or info@FlorenceChamber.com, or request a visitor guide.

Come for the football. Stay for the Oregon Coast.

Discover why Florence is known as Oregon’s Coastal Playground.

Florence is more than a destination. It’s an experience.