“The Oldest Town on the Oregon Coast”
The city takes its name from British naval explorer, George Vancouver’s original name for what is now nearby Cape Blanco, He named it for his good friend, George, Earl of Orford. It wasn’t until many years later when the first European settlers, led by Captain William Tichenor, came along in 1851. There was a great and locally famous battle with natives at Battle Rock (a gigantic rock promontory that dominates the waterfront shoreline). Ultimately the settlers prevailed, and the city was formally founded in 1856. In coming years it would serve as a regional receiving port for mercantile goods, a commercial fishing port, and the point of shipment for timber (most notably, Port Orford Cedar). It is the oldest settled city on the Oregon Coast, and one of the westernmost points of land in the lower 48 contiguous United States.
With an Independent Streak…
In October 1941, mayor Gilbert Gable, frustrated with the poor condition of the state roads around Port Orford, suggested that a number of counties along the Oregon and California state border should secede and create the State of Jefferson. This movement came to an end with U.S. involvement in World War II. But it still lives on in memory. Visitors are often surprised to hear locals in the region speak of “”The State of Jefferson.””
Overlooking the Mighty Pacific…
With some of the most amazing views from the Oregon Coast, halfway between Gold Beach and Bandon and 44 miles north to the nearest major city of Coos Bay.Even through Port Orford is small, it provides a wide range of things to see and do for visitors and locals.
Salmon Fishing…
The Elk and Sixes rivers are well known throughout the Pacific Northwest for their fall and winter steelhead and salmon fishing, as well as trout, in season. Located just a few miles north of Port Orford, both rivers have produced record size Chinook salmon. Float trips are available on the Elk and Sixes rivers.
Wind and Wave Action…
Wind surfers have discovered the strong ocean winds at Floras Lake, which has made it a popular windsurfing location. Ocean surfers ride the waves at Hubbard Creek and Battle Rock State Park.
You Have to See the “”Dolly Docks”” and Art too…..
Fishing in Port Orford is a vital part of the community with “”dolly docks”” where boats are lifted in and out of the water by huge cranes. Home to about 30 commercial fishing boats which account for bringing in a lot of fish! The top producing port of live fish is Oregon! Talk about eating fresh fish! Also known for their active artist community, Port Orford has several galleries owned and operated by working artists.
Let There Be More Lighthouses…
Just a few miles north of town is the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, the oldest and most westerly lighthouse in Oregon and, in the same park, the beautifully restored Victorian Hughes House Museum.
Dining and Accommodations
Food certainly tastes better at the coast, but especially in Port Orford! You can count on fresh fish and delicious meals. Although a small town, the food has the big city flare. You won’t want to leave our city once you are settled in your hotel or vacation rental while you are discovering Port Orford.
Coupons
- Port Orford RV Village
Port Orford RV Village
541-332-1041
2855 Port Orford Loop Road
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.portorfordrv.com/We welcome you to Port Orford RV Village. Owners Tim and Cindy live on site to insure a quiet and activity-filled stay. Here, you will meet friendly people, many returning year after year to enjoy this beautiful and laid back atmosphere on the Oregon Coast. We have complimentary coffee and baked goodies each morning in our coffee room. The coffee room also has a computer linked to the internet, a telephone, and complimentary videos and books. We also have free Wi-Fi throughout the park.
10% Off Nightly Stays
- Dana’s Trading Post, Port Orford OR Coupon
Dana’s Trading Post, Port Orford
541-332-0343
267 Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465A fun store filled with miscellaneous art, furniture, one of a kind items. We buy, sell and trade. Always a treasure to be found!
10% Discount OFF Purchase!
- Wildland Properties, Port Orford OR Coupon
Wildland Properties
541-366-2117
356 W. 6th Street Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465Offering a variety of vacation homes from rustic hideaways to river front retreats. You can enjoy an active vacation when you stay.
$10.00 OFF
When you stay with Wildland Properties + Stay 7 Nights and get the last night FREE!
- Camp Blanco RV Park, Port Orford Coupon
Camp Blanco RV Park, Port Orford
541-332-6175
2011 Oregon Street Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465Camp Blanco RV Park offers open and shaded level RV sites (up to 100’ long) with full hookups and FREE high-speed WI-FI. Conveniently located at the north end of Port Orford, we are within walking distance to shopping, dining, and other services. We also feature on-site propane, RV parts & supplies, and much more. We hope you’ll plan a trip to see us and we look forward to seeing you here!
10% OFF Nightly Stay
Lodging
- Port Orford, WildSpring Guest Habitat
WildSpring Guest Habitat, Port Orford
866-333-9453
92978 Cemetery Loop
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.wildspring.com/WildSpring is a small, ecofriendly resort in Port Orford. On 5 secluded acres, it offers luxury accommodations in a naturally beautiful environment. Elegant cabin suites built like small homes, filled with art and antiques. Guest Hall, sculpture garden and open-air slate spa overlook the ocean. Free wifi and breakfast buffet.
- Port Orford, Wildland Properties
Wildland Properties
541-366-2117
356 W. 6th Street Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.wildland-properties.com/Offering a variety of vacation homes from rustic hideaways to river front retreats. You can enjoy an active vacation when you stay.
- Port Orford, The Redfish Loft
The Red Fish Loft
541-366-2200
517 Jefferson Street
Port Orford, OR 97465
www.redfishportorford.comAccommodations in the LOFT include a luxurious Royal-Pedic California King pillowtop bed with organic cotton linens, soaking tub with spectacular ocean views, plush leather sectional, gas fireplace, hi-speed wireless internet, and a slate balcony overlooking Battle Rock and the Pacific ocean.
- Port Orford, The Compass Rose B&B
The Compass Rose B&B
541-332-7076
42497 Gull Road
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.compassroseportorford.com/Take yourself away from the stress of a busy life. Enjoy a hearty, freshly cooked breakfast in our dining room, or take your coffee out on the porch when the weather is fine. Bring your binoculars and walk out on our birding trails, where you will see birds that live in the forest, marsh, and on the beach. Relax and enjoy the view of Garrison Lake and Mt. Humbug, or walk down to the beach to hunt for agates or enjoy one of our spectacular sunsets. The rest of the world will seem miles away.
- Port Orford RV Village
Port Orford RV Village
541-332-1041
2855 Port Orford Loop Road
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.portorfordrv.com/We welcome you to Port Orford RV Village. Owners Tim and Cindy live on site to insure a quiet and activity-filled stay. Here, you will meet friendly people, many returning year after year to enjoy this beautiful and laid back atmosphere on the Oregon Coast. We have complimentary coffee and baked goodies each morning in our coffee room. The coffee room also has a computer linked to the internet, a telephone, and complimentary videos and books. We also have free Wi-Fi throughout the park.
10% Off Nightly Stays
- Port Orford Property Management and Vacation Rentals
Port Orford Property Management and Vacation Rentals
541-253-6107
http://www.rentportorford.com/If you are looking for a great Vacation Rental, Beach House, Cabin or Lodge in Port Orford, Elk River, Garrison Lake or Sixes, We have exactly what you are looking for to stay & play in beautiful Port Orford.
- Port Orford, Castaway By The Sea
Castaway By The Sea, Port Orford
541-332-4502
545 West 5th Street
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.castawaybythesea.com/Castaway by the Sea Motel the beach lover’s home away from home! A pet friendly lodging establishment on the Southern Oregon Coast offering rooms, suites, and condo suites with cable, WiFi and spectacular ocean views from every room.
- Port Orford, Camp Blanco RV Park
Camp Blanco RV Park, Port Orford
541-332-6175
2011 Oregon Street Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://campblanco.com/Camp Blanco RV Park offers open and shaded level RV sites (up to 100’ long) with full hookups and FREE high-speed WI-FI. Conveniently located at the north end of Port Orford, we are within walking distance to shopping, dining, and other services. We also feature on-site propane, RV parts & supplies, and much more. We hope you’ll plan a trip to see us and we look forward to seeing you here!
- Port Orford, Arizona Beach Lodge
Arizona Beach Lodge
541-332-1001
37015 Arizona Ranch Road
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://arizonabeachlodge.com/index.htmArizona Beach Lodge is a perfect vacation destination and is ideally situated between Port Orford and Gold Beach – on Oregon’s southern Wild Rivers Coast.Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat or exciting adventures, Arizona Beach Lodge offers beautiful scenery, diverse wildlife, easy access to fun, predictable weather, clean air, and cozy accommodations, tent camping and RV hook-ups.
Dining
- Port Orford, The Crazy Norwegian’s Fish & Chips
The Crazy Norwegian’s Fish & Chips259 6th Street
Port Orford, OR 97465
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Crazy-Norwegians-Fish-Chips/139674942743895Seafood, burgers, Fish & Chips! Open Mon-Sun 11:30 to 8:00 PM. - Port Orford, Siren’s Cove
Siren’s Cove Cafe, Port Orford541-332-2970
1320 Oregon Street Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR
https://www.facebook.com/pages/funbeachfuncom/481083705235991?ref=hl#!/pages/Sirens-Cove-Cafe/401437375358Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Group,Good For Kid, Take Out, Catering. The Old Standby- Hand carved turkey breast, provolone cheese, basil mayonnaise, tomato, red onion, and green leaf lettuce on toasted rosemary focaccia bread.
- Port Orford, RedfishRedfish
541-366-2200
517 Jefferson Street
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.redfishportorford.com/When you see Redfish you can’t believe it’s in Port Orford! You step in and feel like you are in a posh restaurant on the California coast. The decor is modern and inviting. The view is like no other. Brunch and dinner are both 5 star! If you are in the mood for bacon, you must try the applewood smoked bacon with a classic bacon and egg breakfast. Dinner at Redfish with all the courses is an experience. The warm home make bread wrapped in linen, the specialty wines, and delicious French influenced Pacific Northwest food will bring you back for more!
- Port Orford, Griff’s On The Dock
Griff’s On The Dock541-332-8985
490 Dock Road
Port Orford, OR 97465
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Griffs-On-The-Dock/173346272724649Seafood Restaurant!
- Port Orford, Bonnie’s Homestyle Seafood Grill
Bonnie’s Homestyle Seafood & Grill, Port Orford541-332-3707
190 6th Street
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.enjoyportorford.com/dining.htmlDaily, 11am – 9pm. Homemade seafood & grill, including soups, salads, breads & pies. “Good food the way grandma used to make.”
Shopping
- Port Orford, Dana’s Trading PostDana’s Trading Post, Port Orford
541-332-0343
267 Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465A fun store filled with miscellaneous art, furniture, one of a kind items. We buy, sell and trade. Always a treasure to be found!
Exploring
- Port Orford, Visit Battle Rock
Visit Battle Rockhttp://www.enjoyportorford.com/battlerockpark.htmlThe Battle
Visit the site on this spectacular portion of Oregon’s beach, where the historic battle between the first landing party of white settlers (Captain Tichenor’s crew of nine men) and a local Qua-to-mah band of Athapascan speaking natives. The event of June 9, 1851 was the beginning of the settling of Port Orford. Tichenor dreamed of Port Orford being a supply town, with a road to the mines in the Rogue River Valley and the Upper Klamath River in California. His dream of a supply town never materialized, however he did operate the first sawmill on the south coast, and built the ship Alaska in 1857.Anchor from the Cottoneva wreck of 1937
The S.S. Cottoneva was caught in a surprise storm, with winds to 75 miles per hour. She had been docked, partially loaded when the storm hit. The skipper did his best to get her out to sea, but she struck a submerged object, doing severe damage. The skipper had no choice but to beach the vessel. The men from the lifesaving station, using a breeches buoy, rescued the crew. The Cottoneva had been loaded with lumber from the Trans-Pacific Lumber Mill. Lumber from the mill had been pilling up on the vacant lots and streets in Port Orford due to a shipping strike. - Port Orford, Prehistoric Gardens
Prehistoric Gardens541-332-4463
36848 US Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.prehistoricgardens.com/Self Guided tours allow visitors to wind along a graveled path, crossing across 6 beautifully constructed wooden bridges, as they discover the prehistoric animals and natural rainforest.
- Port Orford Lifeboat Station
Port Orford Lifeboat Station541-332-0521
9th Street up Coast Guard Hill
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.capeblancoheritagesociety.com/port-orford-lifeboat-station/From 1934 into the 1960s U.S. Coast Guard surf men lived here, ever alert for ships in distress. When a call came they risked their lives to save others. See the 36-foot self-righting motor lifeboat number 36498 on the grounds. Visit the museum in the former barracks/office building. Four other historic buildings also remain at this 101.29-acre site. This is the only Forge River-type station left on the West Coast.
Playing
- Port Orford, Hubbard Creek Surfing
Hubbard Creek Surfing541-332-8055
Off Hwy 101
Port Orford, OR 97465
http://www.enjoyportorford.com/surfing.htmlHubbard Creek: Coming from the south along Hwy 101, is mellow Hubbard Creek, a small beach covered with sand dunes and pine trees with rocks to the south. It’s a scenic spot that’s particularly good in the spring.
Right now in Port Orford, OR | More Webcams
