Brookings - Harbor, Oregon’s Banana Belt

Just about a mile south of Harris Beach is the town of Brookings and its next door neighbor, Harbor.  Most everyone just calls the whole area Brookings but it is two separate towns.  This area has the reputation as having the best weather on the Oregon coast, and we enjoyed some sunny days – and a bit of fog on some days as well.  

We got kicked out of Harris Beach campground just because someone else had the foresight to reserve our site ahead of time.  The NERVE!!  Before we leave Harris Beach, enjoy some of the pictures we took of the area.  Thankfully we had a sunny day and the fog bank hovered way off shore.

One of the nice things about the day use area is its easy accessibility.  There is a concrete walkway that is wheelchair accessible and this picnic table that overlooks the wonderful beach.


It’s all about the rocks here.  So many beautiful and interesting formations.




No matter which direction you look, there is another picture to snap.


Russ got some good ones too.







There are no shortages of private places to park your RV in town, which is what we ended up doing.  Not quite like the Harris Beach campground, but clean convenient and close to everything.  We stayed at Driftwood RV Park.  It was nice enough as a place to park, the people were terrific, and we even had a tiny view of the ocean from our spot.  I forgot to take any pictures but you can visit their website for more info.  I would stay here again if I couldn’t get into the state park.

The ocean is within walking distance as is a great restaurant, Sebastian's.  They are a bit spendy for lunch and dinner but they have a terrific senior breakfast deal.  I had 2 bacon and 1 egg, hash browns and 1 piece of toast, PLUS coffee and a small juice – all for $7.00.  There are several entrees to chose from on this special, including hash and egg, or Russ’s favorite diced ham and scrambled eggs.  It was a generous serving and delicious AND it comes with an ocean view.  Highly recommended.  But stay out of the gift shop right next door.  Their fudge is nearly irresistible.

Brookings-Harbor is a working fishing village.  In the two-basin harbor, are over 400 commercial boats and 80 recreational boats that set off each day in search of albacore tuna, crab, and bottom fish – or whatever happens to be in season.  We ate lunch sitting outdoors on the deck of the Sporthaven Marina Bar and Grill and had a wonderful view of the boats, plus a delicious lunch.

Russ got some colorful shots of the boats in the basin.



I don’t know what it is about this picture, but I love the colors and the water, and the boats, and even the pilings!!






It seems there is no end to the scenic beauty of this area.  If you get tired of the beach, you can drive inland along the Chetco River.  Upriver is Loeb State Park, about 8 miles in, but the access road is somewhat dicey.  It’s a nice park if you’re willing to do the drive.  They are closing for the winter soon to upgrade the water and electric.  They also have cabins there and the scenery is unbeatable.  It is right on the Chetco River.

My next blog will take us to Chetco Point, a Brookings City Park.  We were somewhat taken aback when we saw the path was adjacent to the wastewater treatment plant!  Not to worry though, if you look out to sea and not behind you, you never know the treatment plant is there.  Definitely worth seeing.