Bandon by the Sea

A quirky festival-focused town with galleries, fine dining, art and theatre, world class recreational opportunities and beaches unlike any you will find anyplace in the world; Bandon has rebuilt itself from the ashes of disaster to a place of style and grace that is famous worldwide as a vacation destination.

In 1936 a devastating fire wiped out the small coastal logging and fishing community of Bandon, Oregon. My mother remembers that fire and talks about the unusually dry summer and the strange sound of the east wind that kept the normally moisturizing affect of the coastal fog offshore. The wind, hot and dry, brought disaster and spread the flames. The town burned and so did some of the residents. Bandon residents rebuilt their town and the Old Town area dates back to the time just after the fire. 

The largest part of Bandon is the no nonsense support town for a very busy rural area. But the Old Town section is an appealing collection of galleries, shops, restaurants and historical remnants. Tourists from around the world come to stroll along the waterfront and search for the marvelous creations of local artist Holly Armstrong and other local artists in the galleries. 

Artists and crafts people work throughout the Old Town area. Look for the 2nd Street Gallery 210 2nd St; It has a collection of art pottery and blown glass creations as well as paintings and sculptures. (541) 347-4133 Open daily from 10:00AM to 5:30 PM. If jewelry or fine arts in wood is more to your liking check out the items in the New Gallery on 155 Baltimore St. (541) 347-8221 .

Local teachers, actors and artists frequent Winter River Books and Gallery 170 2nd St.; (541)347-4111; Amongst the rich selection of travel titles, photo essays, fiction and coffee table books are tapes and crystals, and an eclectic collection of art objects.