Florence is 173 miles or a almost 4 hours from Portland, OR via I-5 and OR-126. Florence is 194 miles south of Astoria via US-101 and 177 miles north of the California State Line on the same 2-lane highway.

About Florence

Florence probably got its name from the French ship that went aground in the Siuslaw River in 1875 but the political answer is that it was named in honor of A.B. Florence, a State Representative that served the people of Lane County in the mid-1800’s. We like the second version.

Florence has a population of over 6,000 people. It lies at the outlet of the Siuslaw (si-oos-law) River where it empties into the Pacific Ocean.

As with most cities, Florence began when water was used for transportation and roads for trucks didn’t exist. Not only were goods brought from farm to market by water, public transportation was by ship and river boat.

Because water was the form of transportation of the time the original buildings in Florence were riverfront. Several of those original buildings still stand in “Old Town” Florence and have been renovated into interesting restaurants and shops.

“Old Town” is located on the north bank of the Siuslaw River just up river (east) of the Historic Bridge over the river that carries the traffic on US Highway-101.

Sand Dunes

Florence is the northern gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. You can look right across the river to see the beginning of the dunes. It seems that some time ago someone was going to build houses across the river and the community got together to save their sand dunes.

The world’s first sand board park is located on the northern edge of Florence. Sand boarding is similar to snowboarding.

Golf

Florence is the only city on the Oregon Coast that has two 18-hole golf courses in its city limits. Sandpines Golf Course, the newest one, won Best New Public Course in America in 1993.

Some of the Buildings in “Old Town”

Florence has a population of just over 6,000. It serves an area wide population of about 22,000 according to the Chamber of Commerce. Florence was rated the number one place to retire in the United States by Retirement Places Rated.

Attractions to Florence

Florence is on Oregon’s Pacific Coast so it’s all about the ocean. That is true, the Pacific Ocean and the sand dunes caused by the relentless pounding of the waves and ocean winds and here in all their glory but Florence’s attractions don’t stop at the coast.

There are more than a dozen fresh water lakes in the area that also serve fishermen, boaters, and swimmers. Florence is also adjacent to the Siuslaw National Forest and the Coastal Mountain Range with all of the outdoor activities available in the forests.

About 6 miles south of Florence is Siltcoos Lake. It is the largest lake on the Oregon Coast and has a public boat ramp and fishing dock.

11-miles north of Florence you will find the Sea Lion Caves. They have a gift shop and sell tickets in the gift shop for access to the walkways and elevator down to the largest sea cave in the world. If you are lucky the sea lions will be in residence when you visit.

South of Florence you will find Sandland Adventures which has dune buggy tours, ATV rentals, go-carts, bumper boats, and miniature golf. North of Florence, about 8 miles, you will find C&M Stables. They offer horseback rides both on the beach and in a meadow with stands of alder trees. See listings below for more information.

Fly Eating Plants

Don’t miss the Darlingtonia Botanical Wayside 6 miles north of Florence on US-101. These carnivorous plants eat insects.

A Restaurant in “Old Town”

The Darlingtonia

This insect eating plant attracts insects to enter into the bottom of the bulbous top and get stuck and a sweet sticky surface and consumed.

Recommended Attractions in Florence, Oregon

Antiques
See listings
Gift Shops	State Parks
See listings
Visitor Information	Museums
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce 290 Highway-101, Florence, OR 97439 Visit their website. Open 9am-5pm M-F / 10am-2pm Sat May thru September. Closed Sunday	Siuslaw Pioneer Museum 85928 US Highway-101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7884 Open May 1 to Labor Day Noon – 4PM Tuesday – Sunday. Displays of Indian artifacts, pioneer life, and early logging.

Listed Attractions in Florence, OR

We have not necessarily visited or recommend listed businesses.

Antiques

Antiques

Antiques

Antiques

Antiques

Visitor information about Florence, OR. Florence, Oregon is located on the Central Oregon Coast at the junction of US Highway-101 and Oregon Highway-126.

The easiest access to Florence is via OR-126 from Eugene at Interstate-5 Exit 194. This route will take you from the I-5 corridor in the Willamette Valley over the Coastal Mountain Range to the Pacific Coast at Florence.

As with most cities, Florence began when water was used for transportation and roads for trucks didn’t exist. Not only were goods brought from farm to market by water, public transportation was by ship and river boat.

Sand Dunes

Florence is the northern gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. You can look right across the river to see the beginning of the dunes. It seems that some time ago someone was going to build houses across the river and the community got together to save their sand dunes.

Golf

Attractions to Florence

Fly Eating Plants

Florence Area

Chamber of Commerce

290 Highway-101, Florence, OR 97439

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

Listed Attractions in Florence, OR