25 FREE Things to Do in the Florence Area

1. Go kayaking or canoeing on Cleawox Lake at Honeyman State Park. The lake has a long narrow finger that's great to explore. Look and listen for lots of interesting birds.
2. Hike the Siltcoos Lake trail through old growth Douglas Fir, hemlock and Western Red Cedar. The loop is a couple of miles round trip and the rewards are many, not the least of which, depending on the season, are brown newts and banana slugs crossing your path.
3. Take a walk on Heceta Beach from the North Jetty to Driftwood Shores. Be on the lookout for seals playing in the near shore waves.
4. Stroll Saturday & Sunday Market along the boardwalk in Old Town and chat with artisans about their work.
5. Check out the fabulous beads at The Brown Dog in the Highway 101 Antique District.
6. Go swimming at Woahink Lake. You'll love the little sandy beach and refreshing clear water.
7. Ask to see Boris Karloff's room at The Lighthouse Inn on Highway 101, a 1930's treasure.
8. See Cobra Lilies at Darlingtonia State Natural Site. No, they don't bite.
9. Listen to the ukeles play at the Old Town gazebo. You'll think you're in Hawaii.
10. Dance to Curtis Delgagdo at Traveler's Cove.
11. Look for Sea Stars and anemones at Stawberry Hill.
12. Watch the salmon make their run up the Upper North Fork River in the fall.
13. Agate hunt just about anywhere.
14. Tube down the Siuslaw above the Mapleton Bridge, and on down the river.
15. Check out the art work at Backstreet Gallery, an artist's cooperative.
16. Bike the Munsel Creek Bicycle Trail.
17. Attend the Pioneer Museum's Storytellers event.
18. See Lemon yellow Gorse in bloom in February on the rocks at Southview.
19. Eat sun-warmed blackberries you pick yourself in August. Yum!
20. Skate at the skateboard park in Miller Park.
21. Watch the Rhododendron Parade, 102 years old, in May.
22. Paint a picture of the Conde McCullough bridge over the Siuslaw from the beach on Bay Street.
23. Hunt for wild iris in the late spring.
24. View Sweet Creek falls any time of year. Enjoy the swimming holes in the summer.
25. Read The Siuslaw News online.

Hawaii Arrives in Florence Oregon

Just as I was closing the Home Finders Service Real Estate office Saturday evening, in walked a gentleman clutching papers. Thinking that he might be looking for directions or a recommendation on a place to eat, much to my surprise he told me that he'd just bought the food trailer parked in the parking lot near the Florence harbor. AND that this week, he would be opening "A Taste of Hawaii," the very first foods from Hawaii in Paradise on the Pacific. The new owner is Christian "Kane Haole" Jakobsen. He was raised on Maui since a little keiki, as he puts it on his menu brochure. His father was a state known Hawaiian cuisine chef and restaurateur. Christian has been preparing Hawaiian food ever since he was born. The menu has a bit of everything and it all sounds fabulous, from fried coconut shrimp with pineapple ginger and orange marmalade to the pulehu style kalua pig and cabbage. He also offers sushi, including a veggie roll. Prices range from $3.95 to $6.95 and he'll deliver in the Old Town district. So mahalo and aloha from Christian and A Taste of Hawaii. Another reason to come to Old Town Florence, stroll the boardwalk and eat fabulous food. Contact me for all your culinary and real estate needs! www.oregonflorencerealestate.com