Bandon is teeming with life, natural beauty, and wonderful pastimes both old and new. The internationally acclaimed golf courses bring in visitors from all over the world. Fall is a great time for golf, and you have six courses at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort to choose from. When it’s time to pick the next activity, grab your putter, stop by the Punchbowl, and let the winner decide. 

There are coastal sand dunes to explore, sandboarding lessons to schedule, horseback rides on the beach, and a multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities at the wildlife refuge in Bandon. You might even get inspired to build a gigantic marine sculpture, or lend a hand to the collective effort, after visiting a very unique and colorful local gallery! Here are some fun things to do in Bandon, Oregon this fall in greater detail. 

Sandboarding: No surf? No snow? No Problem. Just pick up your favorite sandboard and head out to the sand dunes. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation is a unique area of coastal sand dunes running 40 miles from North Bend to Florence. In addition to hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping recreational opportunities there is a sandboarding park. It’s just a short 75+ mile day trip away to the Sand Master Park in Florence when you find your perfect home in Bandon, Oregon. The sandboarding park has 40 acres of private sand dunes to ride. If you don’t have a sandboard, you can rent one when you get there (rentals start at $10). Instruction is available for first-timers. Once you start riding, you’ll keep riding. Master your ride, perfect your tricks and mark your calendar. The annual Sand Master Jam competition is held in July. Ride on! 

Beach Horseback Riding: Take a leisurely ride on horseback along the Pacific coast with the Bandon Beach Riding Stables. The experienced guides at the stables have received high marks for service and for keeping their riding groups happy and engaged. They understand how to mitigate the risks of riding along the coast. The best way to ride is on a horse that is already comfortable with the ocean, and these horses know the way. The ride includes a short section of trail leading to a 2½ mile beach ride on the Oregon coast. Children aged 6 and older can ride, and beginners are welcome. 

Washed Ashore Gallery: The mission statement of the Washed Ashore project is simple: “To build and exhibit aesthetically powerful art to educate a global audience about plastic pollution in the ocean and waterways and to spark positive changes in consumer habits.” The result is beautiful. 

The project is the brainchild of artist and educator Angela Haseltine Pozzi. It was started in 2010 and has since repurposed over 17 tons of ocean plastic and garbage into more than 66 giant sculptures. The sculptures travel to locations all across the country, including an ongoing exhibition at the Smithsonian. There are two local galleries in Oregon; one in Bandon and one in Coos Bay. The sculptures are colorful and beautiful. You might be inspired to join in the effort when visiting the gallery, and you will be welcomed. There are volunteer opportunities to help build and construct new sculptures.

West Coast Game Park Safari: There are over 75 species of animals at the zoo in Bandon. Many are allowed to roam free, including goats, sheep, deer, and peacocks. Visitors can also interact with young tigers, young lions, and young bears as part of the zoo’s interactive learning presentations. The presentations vary depending on the number of visitors in the park and there aren’t specific times scheduled. But you will be in for an interesting experience every time you visit (adult skunks, adult opossums, and adult bobcats are also on the presentation list). 

Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge: There are several trails to enjoy a short hike with family and friends at the Bandon Marsh NWR. The longest trail is the one mile Myrtlewood Grove Nature Trail. It opened in 2020 and is considered easy and family-friendly. Closed toed shoes are recommended as there are grassy and muddy sections on the walk. Fishing, shellfishing, boating, and wildlife watching are all popular activities at the refuge. There are over 500 acres of tidal marshes open for public duck and goose hunting: mallard and American wigeon are common. 

Bandon Dunes Golf Resort: Proper golf attire is requested, and denim is discouraged. Dress for the occasion, ditch the denim (their shops are great if you forgot golf clothes!), and schedule a tee time at one of six courses at the resort. The courses rank very high globally, some of the best places to play a round of golf in the world. All of the six courses were in the top 11 Best Public Golf Courses in the US rated by Golfweek Magazine in 2023. The resort also features a 100,000 square foot 18- hole putting course known as the Punchbowl. It takes about an hour to play, no tee time is required and it is free for resort guests. It’s a great place for your golf group to gather after your round (or to resolve any outstanding bets). They also have an excellent practice facility, which is open and free to the public.

Bandon is a wonderful place to live. It provides peace, natural beauty, and space to the residents of this extraordinary coastal village. The agents at Coastal Sotheby’s International Realty look forward to helping you discover more about Bandon and find your perfect home. Contact us today!