Where to stay on Bandon trip

[exgolfpro]

My wife and I are going to Bandon next June (2022) and planning on staying in an Airbnb/Vrbo since the resort is booked already for 2022.  We have found several nice places we are willing to rent, but was needing some advice.  The three locations we have found rentals are Port Orford, Bandon and Coos Bay.  I have already google mapped each location and know how far it is to Bandon Dunes from each rental, but I was wondering if there is anything else I should be considering?  One note, my wife does not golf, but will likely walk the course with me provided the weather is decent.  

 

The fact that Bandon is so close makes this choice seem like the obvious one, but is there anything we should consider about the other towns?  How is the drive from Port Orford or from Coos Bay?  We would probably be travelling to the resort 3-4 days out of the week we are staying.  The rest of the days, we will probably just explore the beaches, walk the towns, etc.  Is the bigger town of Coos Bay worthy of considering for restaurants, sights, etc?

[Seamus_MacDuff]

No, the larger town of Coos Bay (20 - 30 minutes from the resort) is not really worth consideration. It has its roots as a mill town, and it's still relatively gritty. There's really no beach/ocean access in Coos Bay either, though Shore Acres State Park in nearby Charleston is absolutely worth a visit. The only real attraction would be The Mill Casino, as you've got a little nightlife there and a decent hotel.

 

Bandon would easily be my first choice, as it's really becoming a charming coastal town, with easy access to one of the most scenic beaches on the west coast. The 'Old Town' district down by the harbor has some quaint shops and restaurants. The presence of nearby Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and the influx of visitor money it brings to town, has brought more upscale dining to Bandon than what you'll find in Coos Bay/North Bend.  You'll also find better AirBNB/VRBO/Vacasa options, as much of that caters to resort visitors.

 

Port Orford (40 minutes from the resort) is small, only about 1/3 the size of Bandon.  Cute town, but I couldn't envision staying there unless everything in Bandon was booked solid already. One advantage Port Orford has is closer access to the incredibly scenic stretch of Hwy 101 between Port Orford and the California border.  Not much in the way of civilization down that way, but one of the most spectacular drives you'll ever see and some 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Seamus_MacDuff
corrected state park name near Coos Bay

[exgolfpro]

20 hours ago, Seamus_MacDuff said:

No, the larger town of Coos Bay (20 - 30 minutes from the resort) is not really worth consideration. It has its roots as a mill town, and it's still relatively gritty. There's really no beach/ocean access in Coos Bay either, though Samuel Boardman State Park in nearby Charleston is absolutely worth a visit. The only real attraction would be The Mill Casino, as you've got a little nightlife there and a decent hotel.

 

Bandon would easily be my first choice, as it's really becoming a charming coastal town, with easy access to one of the most scenic beaches on the west coast. The 'Old Town' district down by the harbor has some quaint shops and restaurants. The presence of nearby Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, and the influx of visitor money it brings to town, has brought more upscale dining to Bandon than what you'll find in Coos Bay/North Bend.  You'll also find better AirBNB/VRBO/Vacasa options, as much of that caters to resort visitors.

 

Port Orford (40 minutes from the resort) is small, only about 1/3 the size of Bandon.  Cute town, but I couldn't envision staying there unless everything in Bandon was booked solid already. One advantage Port Orford has is closer access to the incredibly scenic stretch of Hwy 101 between Port Orford and the California border.  Not much in the way of civilization down that way, but one of the most spectacular drives you'll ever see and some 

Thank you, this is just the sort of thing I was hoping for.  Anyone else?

[dlow206]

Check out Baypoint Landing, i am literally posting from there right now and i played at bandon a few days ago. Its in Coos Bay but not the main part of Coos Bay.

[spud3]

+1 on Seamus' comments.  Stay in Bandon, 10/10 times.

[4Eyes]

Several years ago I rented from this company in Bandon: https://www.visitbandon.com/

I would use them again.

 

Hint: Bandon has a 30 day cancellation policy. Sometimes 29 days out from your trip rooms may open up, particularly if you are only staying for a few days. Put your name on Bandon's wait list.

[exgolfpro]

19 hours ago, dlow206 said:

Check out Baypoint Landing, i am literally posting from there right now and i played at bandon a few days ago. Its in Coos Bay but not the main part of Coos Bay.

I will check this out....thanks.

[exgolfpro]

15 hours ago, 4Eyes said:

Several years ago I rented from this company in Bandon: https://www.visitbandon.com/

I would use them again.

 

Hint: Bandon has a 30 day cancellation policy. Sometimes 29 days out from your trip rooms may open up, particularly if you are only staying for a few days. Put your name on Bandon's wait list.

We are on the waiting list, thanks.

[rooski]

On 8/31/2021 at 3:22 PM, Seamus_MacDuff said:

There's really no beach/ocean access in Coos Bay either

 

This is patently, completely, and brutally untrue. I grew up in Coos Bay and lived there for 15 years and there are like 4 or 5 separate beaches you can directly walk on, at most a 15 minute drive from the Mill Casino you mention.

 

Not sure what town you were in

 

To the OP @exgolfpro: If you are going to Bandon Dunes I would highly recommend you stay in the town of Bandon or on the resort if you can manage to snag a spot. Anything else would be too far to complete the experience I think. You'll want to jet out to the range or play the Shorty's par 3 course once or twice while you're there I bet (if only to just be on the resort drinking a beer). Coos Bay and especially Port Orford are going to be way too far to make that happen.

 

Like I mentioned I grew up in the area from elementary school and had my home base there until the end of college so if you have any questions at all I can answer them for ya

Edited September 9, 2021 by rooski

[Seamus_MacDuff]

21 hours ago, rooski said:

 

This is patently, completely, and brutally untrue. I grew up in Coos Bay and lived there for 15 years and there are like 4 or 5 separate beaches you can directly walk on, at most a 15 minute drive from the Mill Casino you mention.

 

Not sure what town you were in

 

You’re correct, of course. What I was intending to convey was that unlike Bandon or even Port Orford, the town, lodging and restaurants in Coos Bay/North Bend are a bit inland enough to really have no direct access or views of the beach and ocean. 

[rooski]

1 minute ago, Seamus_MacDuff said:

You’re correct, of course. What I was intending to convey was that unlike Bandon or even Port Orford, the town, lodging and restaurants in Coos Bay/North Bend are a bit inland enough to really have no direct access or views of the beach and ocean. 

 

Sure that's fair. If you were feeling particularly ocean-y you could stay somewhere in Charleston and take Seven Devils up to Bandon and would have tons of beach/ocean/bay scenery.

 

You are definitely correct that if you are in "downtown" Coos Bay you will not see a beach unless you drive 10-15 minutes. Still plenty of inlet and bay views though it's all frickin water over there