Welcome to Coos Bay. This is the largest city on the spectacular Oregon Coast with a population of approximately 16,000. This beautiful port city is located on scenic Highway 101 midway between Seattle and San Francisco on Oregon's largest bay.
Shopping and Dining
Sharkbites Cafe is a popular Coos Bay eatery with brunch served daily. This is the place for local seafood and beef. Restaurant O is known for fine dining. The Bon Appetite Bistro and Catering is another local favorite. Coos Bay also has fast-food franchises and chain restaurants. Black Market Gourmet has you covered for your gourmet catering needs and can help plan and or host your gathering.
If you want to learn how to cook like the local chefs then the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute is the place for you.
Locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables can be purchased at the Farmers Market in downtown Coos Bay on Wednesdays and Sundays from May to October. Homemade candy, jam, jellies and canned albacore tuna are sold at the market from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
The Fisherman's Seafood Market on the waterfront boardwalk is a major part of Coos Bay real estate.
The Coos Bay Blackberry Arts Festival in August is the place to shop for artwork, crafts and food. The Blackberry Jam features local singers and musicians. This event is sponsored by the Coos Bay Downtown Association.
Buy antiques and collectibles at Leaf's Treehouse , Coos Art Connection or Antiques and Collectibles of Coos Bay. Shop for art at the Silverfish Gallery or for toys at Remember When Toys. Checkerberry's Flowers and Gifts has a large selection of handcrafted items. Create your own art at The Pottery Company.
Visit the Coos Bay Boat Building Center and the Coos Historical and Maritime Museum for a look at the craft that helped to build the community.
Parks and Recreation
Coos Bay real estate is located between Cape Arago State Park to the south and Shore Acres and Sunset Bay State Park to the north. These parks are part of Oregon's outstanding state park system with yurts for rent along with campgrounds surrounded by trees and beaches. The parks offer hiking trails and views of Oregon's rocky coastline. A trail connects the three parks. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is located to the north of Coos Bay and neighboring North Bend.
Park visitors are asked not to disturb seals, sea lions and the rare elephant seals they may seen on the beaches during the year. These animals are protected in their natural habitat that includes the beaches and offshore rocky islands.
Fishing is popular in Coos Bay for Chinook and silver salmon in the summer and steelhead in the winter. Charter boats are available for ocean fishing excursions. The South Sloughs Estuarine Reserve is a popular area for canoes and kayaks.
Coos Bay Parks Department maintains Mingus Park in the city with a one mile path around a pond. This park also has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, skate park and softball field along with Choshi Garden from Coos Bay's sister city in Japan. John Topits is a 120-acre city park located at Empire Lakes.
Coos Art Museum (CAM) is located in the historic post office building and features over 500 works of art with regular events and the option to host your own event.
Living
Coos Bay real estate in zip code 97420 includes homes in the $100,000 price range. The price of housing depends on the size of the structure and the lot. Many residents prefer to live on larger properties outside of the city. A two-bedroom, two-bath home with 1,200 square-feet will sell in the low $200,000 range. A home with 2900 square feet and views of the ocean can sell for more than $800,000.
There are several manufactured homes in the area on large, treed lots. Vacant lots with trees and views of the ocean are available for building.
The median average income for Coos Bay families is approximately $48,000. Many retired people choose to live in this area. They are attracted by the lower cost of living and the mild, maritime climate. Nevertheless, the latest census statistics showed the average age in the community to be about 42.
Schools, Health, and Transportation
Coos Bay real estate takes in the Coos Bay School District and Southwestern Oregon Community College. The school district has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The Harding Learning Center provides alternative school programs for students with different needs.
Southwestern Oregon Community College offers associate degrees in arts and sciences. The college is home to the Oregon Coast Culinary Institute that trains chefs for the finest restaurants and resorts.
The Oregon Institute for Marine Biology, part of the University of Oregon, is also located in the Coos Bay area.
The Bay Area Hospital, largest hospital on the Oregon coast, is part of Coos Bay real estate. The 172-bed hospital includes a staff of 100 physicians. Other facilities include South Coast Orthopedic Associates and the Bay Clinic.
Public transportation between Coos Bay and neighboring cities is provided by Coos County Area Transit.
Coos Bay is a delightful community on the Oregon Coast that welcomes visitors and new residents.
If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at 541-290-1850 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.
Photos courtesy of Cal Mukumoto