Oregon Coast - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 632

Paula's Bistro FRENCH$$$ $$$

( 541-322-9378; www.paulasbistro.com ; 236 6th St; mains $24-30; 5-9pm Wed-Sat)
The limited but quality menu at this excellent French restaurant includes dishes like lamb
chops with duck savory, chicken gorgonzola pasta and cassoulet royal (a baked bean cas-
serole). Don't miss the crème brûlée if it's on the menu.

Information
The visitor center ( 541-332-4106; www.portorford.org/visitorcenter.html ; 520 Jefferson St;
9am-4pm) is at Battle Rock Park (in the center of town).

Getting There & Around

Curry Public Transit's Coastal Express ( 800-921-2871; www.currypublictransit.org )
shuttles connect Port Orford with Coos Bay/North Bend, Bandon, Gold Beach and
Brookings.

TOP OF CHAPTER

Gold Beach
POP 2300
At the mouth of the Rogue River, Gold Beach got its start when the precious ore was dis-
covered here in 1853. The mines didn't strike it rich compared to other places, but the
town remained. Then in the early 20th century, salmon-rich waters caught the fancy of
gentleman anglers such as Jack London and Zane Grey. Still a place for fishing vaca-
tions, Gold Beach's other big attraction is jet-boat excursions up the Rogue River, one of
Oregon's wildest and most remote. Wildlife-viewing is good, with deer, elk, otters,
beavers, eagles and osprey.

Sights & Activities

Cape Sebastian State Park PARK
The coast around Gold Beach is spectacular. Take a break at Cape Sebastian State Park, a
rocky headland 7 miles south, for a panorama stretching from California to Cape Blanco.
Flex your legs on a 1.5-mile walking trail to the cape; from December to April, keep
your eyes peeled for whales.