America is reawakening to the fun of “Oregon’s Coastal Playground”
Florence — the highly acclaimed destination where coastal beauty meets small-town charm—is again on the national radar for outdoor adventure, romantic getaways, family vacations, arts and culture, and ways to connect with nature. In their June 23 online article by Caitlin Morton, Conde’ Nast Traveler ranked their “13 Best Beach Towns on the West Coast.”
UPDATED FEBRUARY 26, 2026
Come discover Florence — the highly acclaimed destination where coastal beauty meets small-town charm—and your best place for outdoor adventure, romantic getaways, family vacations, arts and culture, to connect with nature, or for scouting your next business opportunity. The invigorating air is fresh off the ocean, the beaches uncrowded, the people friendly, the food diversity outstanding, and the adventures memory-making!
And with all the glowing accolades that follow in this informative blog, you’ll also find many reasons people in (or approaching) retirement age are moving to Florence.
Florence is loved worldwide, and with these glowing reviews, you know you’ll have a great time here—whether you’re a visitor or a resident!
Florence has captured the hearts of travelers and travel writers alike. Over the last few years, Florence has been recognized as Oregon’s Coastal Playground and named to many top vacation destination lists; and now, it’s calling your name!
With national recognition and glowing reviews, it's no wonder so many people fall in love with this remarkable destination.
HERE'S WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY:
These are some of the most recent accolades:
Oregon's Coastal Playground: Recreational Hub With Incredible Beaches, Landscapes (MSN.com)
Florence: Underrated Town With All The Best Of A PNW Getaway Islands.com
9 Unassuming Oregon Towns Locals Are Quietly Obsessed With MSN.com
8 Best Lakeside Towns In Oregon WorldAtlas.com
11 Pacific Coast Cities Perfect For Escaping California Prices
9 Towns In The Pacific Northwest With Vibrant Downtown Areas 2026 WorldAtlas.com
These are a bunch of our other favorite accolades that cover a multitude of reasons to visit Florence (links provided if available):
- One of the Top 25 U.S. Family Weekend Getaways TripAdvisor
- #1 Best Small Town in the Northwest, #2 in America for Adventure USA Today
- #1 Most Beautiful Town in the U.S., Expedia.com
- #5 Best Place to “Pop the Question” Expedia.com
- Reader’s Digest Featured in their article “The Best Summer Vacation Ever!”
- #6 Most Scenic River Town in the Northwest MSN.com
- TheTravel.com: (Search Florence, Oregon)
- #2 Most Charming Small Town in Oregon
- #6 Most Beautiful Town in America
- #3 Most Underrated U.S. Beach Town
- One of the “8 Coolest Cities You Must Experience Yourself” Flights.com
- #2 Most Beautiful Town in America FastCompany.com
- One of the 14 Most Beautiful West Coast Beach Towns Yardbarker.com
- WorldAtlas.com (Search Florence, Oregon)
- Best Oregon Towns for a Weekend Trip
- Most Relaxing Oregon Towns
- Best Main Streets in the Pacific Northwest
- Most Storybook-Like Towns in Oregon
- Coziest Small Towns in Oregon
- One of the Best Beach Towns in Oregon Stacker.com
- Top Oregon Coast Photography Spot WeDreamOfTravel.com
- Readers’ Favorite Coastal Getaway The Oregonian/OregonLive.com
We couldn’t agree more.
Now, experience the area yourself, and make Florence your coastal playground! Whether you’re seeking tranquility, adventure, or a mix of both, Florence, Oregon, is the place to be. Embrace the cool, clean air, relish open beaches, explore scenic trails, indulge in diverse dining options (international and fresh seafood options abound) or Old Town shopping. Stay a few days, or longer, at one of many great lodging options and treat yourself to the ultimate coastal getaway.
Why So Many Accolades?
Located on the breathtaking central Oregon Coast, a beautiful one-hour drive west from Eugene, Florence offers 20 miles of uncrowded beaches, winding forest trails, and endless ways to relax or play. You’ll love the numerous and unique outdoor recreational opportunities, the world-class entertainment at the incredible Florence Events Center, the quaint-but-not-commercial Historic Old Town, the wide variety of cultural foods and delicious restaurants, multiple and varied attractions, and scores of thriving businesses all around town to meet your travel or move-in needs.
Thrill Seekers Always Satisfied…
Adventure-seekers also love the thrilling dune buggy rides, WWII biplane flights, and helicopter tours over the scenic shoreline. For indoor fun, Three Rivers Casino Resort offers top-notch gaming, restaurants, and entertainment. Kayaking and other paddle sports are outstanding in Florence!
…As Are the Tame-hearted
If arts and culture are your thing, spend time in our many galleries, our historic Pioneer or Military history museums, local playhouses, our art-house movie theater, or the spectacular 450-seat Florence Events Center that regularly hosts world-class entertainers. Florence is also home to a vibrant visual arts community and offers year-round events that bring locals and visitors together in celebration.
Beaches, Forests, and Dunes…Oh My!
We’ve got 20 miles of uncrowded beaches for picnics and sandcastles, beachcombing, tidepooling, kite flying, or romantic sunset strolls.
If you’re into hiking ancient forests, mushroom foraging, geocaching, or trail riding on bikes or horses, we’ve got that too. There are miles of well-marked (and unmarked) trails and back roads surrounding Florence among the state and county parks, US Forest Service lands, and the Siuslaw National Forest. Check out horseback riding and the many thrills of the Oregon Dunes info here.
What About Golf?
Tee off in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most scenic destinations—Florence, Oregon, where golfing blends world-class play with breathtaking coastal views. Golfers flock to this charming coastal town to enjoy two top-tier courses: Florence Golf Links and Ocean Dunes Golf Links.
Nearby, the iconic Sea Lion Caves is nothing short of wild! Nothing can prepare you for the grandeur of America’s largest sea cave and its hundreds of resident Stellar sea lions, all part of a privately owned wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary. Descend more than 200 feet through solid basalt rock via elevator and emerge into the 12-story tall cathedral of these raucous residents. Up top, you can view the historic Heceta Head Lighthouse and miles of spectacular ocean views. You might even spot one of the year-round resident whales or a passing pod of dolphins or orcas.
The highest viewpoint on the Oregon Coast is a gorgeously thrilling 20-mile drive north at Cape Perpetua, where you can spot whales and see all the way back to Florence from the top of the cape (a paved backwoods kind of drive); below you will find trails, tide pools, and an interpretive center. Be sure to see Thor’s Well and the Spouting Horn.
As you can see, this picturesque town has something for everyone, making it a must-visit for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience.
Tell me more about retirement in Florence
It’s fabulous. The volunteer opportunities are endless with an active senior center, library, arts and culture groups, social benefits agencies, activities groups, and endless reasons to get out into nature. There’s a great hospital, senior activity clubs, a popular gym, and miles of nature paths. Here are some national posts about the beauty and affordability of Florence as a retirement destination:
https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/10-of-the-best-affordable-towns-to-retire-in-oregon.html
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/11-pacific-coast-cities-perfect-192525364.html
https://www.islands.com/2017947/most-budget-friendly-retirement-towns-pacific-coast/
https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/7-cost-effective-retirement-towns-in-oregon.html
https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/7-most-hospitable-retirement-towns-in-oregon.html
Plan Your Coastal Escape Today
For more information, to receive a Florence Visitor’s Guide and Business Directory, or to receive a Future Resident Relocation Packet, visit FlorenceFun.com, call 541-997-3128, email us at info@FlorenceChamber.com, follow us on Facebook: Florence Oregon Coast, request our free newsletter with events, travel tips, and moneysaving deals, or visit our visitors’ center and art gallery at 290 Highway 101 in Florence.
