Five miles of sea stacks, tide pools, and some of the best sunset light on the Oregon coast.
Beach Loop Road runs five miles along the Bandon coastline, passing the sea stacks that give this stretch of the Oregon coast its distinctive silhouette. Face Rock, Table Rock, and Elephant Rock stand offshore in formations that have been shaped by millennia of Pacific erosion, and multiple pulloffs along the road provide beach access points where tide pools form at low water.
The drive itself takes 15 to 20 minutes without stops, but stopping is the point. At low tide, the beach between the sea stacks opens to exploration, and the tide pools host anemones, starfish, and small crabs in rocky pools that are accessible to anyone willing to scramble across the wet rocks. At sunset, the sea stacks become backlit silhouettes against the Pacific, and the light along this section of coast draws photographers from well beyond the local area.
Beach Loop Road is accessible at any time and requires no fee or permit. The best visits coincide with low tide for tide pool access or the hour before sunset for light. Check local tide tables before planning a beach walk. The road connects to Highway 101 at both ends, making it easy to incorporate into a drive to or from the resort.
Face Rock is the most photographed natural feature in the Bandon area, and the Beach Loop provides the most accessible vantage points. As a free activity requiring no planning or reservation, it fills a gap between rounds or provides a worthwhile detour for groups arriving or departing.