Our first stop on this summer’s big family road trip was Florence, Oregon. Although we’ve driven the Oregon Coast before, neither Mike or I had spent any time in Florence. We stayed for three nights at a great campground right on the edge of town and really enjoyed our time there! I can’t wait to share all about visiting Florence, Oregon with kids. I’ve included plenty of tips and our favorite spots, so make sure you read to the end!

where is Florence, Oregon?

Florence is located on the Oregon Coast right at the mouth of the Siuslaw River. It is also home to the world-renowned Sea Lion Caves and a short drive south from the famous Heceta Head Lighthouse. Founded in 1893, the area is rich in fishing and logging history and offers an eclectic variety of modern small shops and historic buildings. One could just as easily have a romantic weekend for two, or have fun exploring Florence, Oregon with kids!

what to do in Florence, Oregon with kids

We spent three nights at a campground in Florence right near the beach. One day we stayed local and explored the town and the beach. The other day of our stay we ventured a little further up the coast and had a great time seeing what he Oregon Coast has to offer. Florence is the perfect spot to serve as a homebase for several adventures that are available in the area!

| Read: Things to do on the Oregon Coast with Kids |

visit the beach

During our stay in Florence, Oregon with kids we drove about five minutes to the day use parking for South Jetty Beach. South Jetty Beach is co-managed by the National Forest Service, which means our 4th Grade Every Kid Outdoors pass worked for parking here! There are sand dunes you’ll have to climb up and over from each of the parking lots to gain beach access, but it wasn’t too bad. The water is shallow pretty far out so it’s easy for kids to play in safely. This is also the perfect breezy beach for kite flying! Vault toilets are available at the parking lots.

walk around Old Town

The historic Old Town District is a fun place to explore in Florence, Oregon with kids. There are a lot of small shops with fun and unique finds that the whole family will love! With a wall full of wands and other magic memorabilia, Rivals Hollow is a must for any Harry Potter fan. There are also several traditional tourists shops that are really fun to walk through and grab a t-shirt or postcard from. The owner of Books ‘n’ Bears is ready to help you pick a new book for your trip. Then, when you’re ready to fuel up, make sure you walk off the main drag to Sweet Magnolia Bakery & Cafe where you’ll find delicious eats in a secret garden setting.

drive up the coast

Just a short drive north out of town with open up the wonder of the Oregon Coast! On our first Oregon Coast road trip in 2020 we drove past the Sea Lion Caves and knew we wanted to stop someday so we made it happen on this trip! The Sea Lion Caves are the largest sea cave in America and home to–you guessed it–lots of sea lions! With an impressive view of sea lions both in and out of the caves, as well as some interesting history of the area, we definitely felt like this was worth a stop.

Just a short drive north of the caves is Heceta Head Lighthouse and Cape Cove. This is a perfect place to spend some time, both on the protected beach free from the waves that pound most of the Oregon coast, as well as the historic lighthouse. Parking is affordable at only $5 and bathrooms are available at the parking lot. It’s just a short walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse and reportedly haunted lightkeeper’s home.

where to stay in Florence, Oregon with kids

We stayed at Thousand Trails South Jetty while we were in Florence, Oregon with kids. Not only was this campground an idyllic forested getaway, but it was perfectly situated. Just a short drive to South Jetty Beach, as well as the historic Old Town District of Florence. Even though it’s conveniently located right off Highway 101, we did not notice any road noise during our stay.

| Read: All About Thousand Trails Campgrounds & Membership! |

Thousand Trails South Jetty features RV sites, tent sites, and vacation rentals. It’s a sprawling campground, with campsites nestled in between trees creating little camping cocoons. This was truly the prettiest campground we stayed at during our two week summer road trip! The campground has a clubhouse, playground, swimming pool with hot tubs, and a dump station for your convenience.

Have you ever been to Florence, Oregon before?

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