Though quite close to Florence, Baker Beach is a wild stretch of grassy dunes and bird-friendly estuary mostly known only to horseback riders. Hikers can explore the area on a network of short loop trails. If you can arrange a car shuttle, you can trek the length of Baker Beach, wade Sutton Creek, and continue south along Heceta Beach all the way to the Siuslaw River’s North Jetty.

Drive Highway 101 north . . .

If you have time to explore the dunescape first, however, turn right at . . .

For a longer trip, take . . .

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Oregon Coast