Round Trip: Bandon, OR
Make your way along the Oregon coast and you find the most perfect fishing towns – one after another, each with its own flavor but all sharing that barnacle-encrusted character. You'd be forgiven for expecting everyone to wear bright yellow rain slickers and puff on meerschaum pipes as they gaze expectantly at the seas. What you find instead are some of the most friendly folks you'll meet on your travels.
About two hours north of the California border, Bandon, Oregon is exemplary of what every fishing town should be: Small, vintage, and authentic. The seafood is fresh caught and inexpensive, the purveyors are characters all their own, and the town is walkable in 5 minutes.
The Best of Bandon
Where to Eat:
Bandon Fish Market
This small blue building may look unassuming from the outside, but the food is anything but. No more than 7 tables and doubles as a fish market, Bandon Fish Market is famous for its fish and chips. Perfectly fried, fresh, tender cod (you can actually choose from cod, shrimp, salmon) and delivered on a mound of fries, locals come from hours away just for these fish and chips. It's worth stuffing yourself with the homemade New England Clam Chowder too.
Cranberry Sweets
If you're seeking something sweet after the salty fish and fries, walk across the street to Cranberry Sweets and load up on their ridiculous amount of free samples. They offer just about any combination flavor of popcorn you can imagine - caramel, buffalo chicken wing, white cheddar, peanut butter, etc. If you can think it, they probably have it. Had enough popcorn? They also offer loads of free chocolates and the famous cranberry pate.
Tony's Crab Shack
Tony's is one of those places that as soon as you see it, you have to go. A small shack, decked out with neon lights, a live crab/lobster tank, and other fishing paraphernalia, Tony's is the stop for fresh Dungeness crab and other shellfish in the area.
Bandon Brewery
It wouldn't be a complete town without a brewery. This small brewpub serves up wood-fired pizza and a wide selection of locally brewed beers, brewed right onsite at the entrance to Old-Town Bandon.
The Fudgery
Salt water and fudge seem to have a match made in heaven - no matter what coastal town you find yourself in.
Where to Stay
Bandon RV Park
Walking distance to Old Town Bandon, Bandon RV Park is an easy in, easy out spot. No frills but all the comforts you need. The hosts, John and Shawn, are incredibly friendly and helpful.
Coquille River RV Park
Situated slightly outside of Bandon but close to Bullards Beach, this RV park is well positioned if you want to spend most of your time exploring Bullards Beach. While Bullards has its own campground, Coquille River offers WiFi, which for many RVers is a must when you don’t have cell service.
What to Do
Bullards Beach
One of the most beautiful stretches of beach in Oregon – let alone the country – this is a great place to see the dramatic transition from land to sea. It's also one of the best places to take your dogs for a beach run.
Washed Ashore
The battle with plastic in the ocean is no stranger to Bandon. Fortunately, some creative locals have been collecting plastic along the shoreline and using it to create beautifully intricate structures and putting them on display downtown.
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As Airstream travels the country in search of unique Round Trip destinations, we keep our eye out for dedicated craftspeople who are passionate about manufacturing quality products. Like like the hundreds of production associates who hand-make Airstream travel trailers and touring coaches in our Jackson Center, Ohio manufacturing facility, they are committed to their craft – and to living their dreams. These are their stories.
Don't Stop Here
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