Brookings Harbor, OR - Brookings Harbor is one road, Lower Harbor Drive. This road runs west from US101 a short distance, then becomes a 6 % grade for about 500 feet. Once at the base you are in Brookings Harbor.

There is a concrete retaining wall along the side of the grade that has a sidewalk that runs along the bottom of it. It is common to see folks, using sidewalk chalk, adding their own personal artwork to the wall. Sometimes, teams of folks devise a plan and chalk the entire wall as a giant mural, just for a fun thing to do on a Saturday. The community art wall is a fun and unique welcome to this town within a town called Harbor by the locals.

A sharp left after coming down the ramp takes you to a parking area right on the Pacific Coast. An easy climb over some barrier rocks and you are on the beach. This is beach that is still in progress because where there should be sand there are pebbles.

These pebbles range from grain sized to fist sized. All have rounded edges and odd shapes from the surf tumbling them. The wave action here is astounding, the waves crest close to the shore and build from there. Then they pound the pebbles with a crescending boom as they break. The surf then travels up the rocky shore and covers the rocks, only to drain back down. This makes a noise such as you have never heard, like pebbles raining on to a bed of glass. Quite unique.

During low tide, the coast line here is open for walking for about a mile to the south. To the north you can walk about a half mile ending where a short jetty begins. This jetty makes up one side of the Port of Brookings Harbor entrance channel.

A coastal cliff, about 100 feet tall, dominants the inland side of the beach. Upscale homes that offer a surreal view as a daily ritual are well placed along the top of the bluff.

You learn about sneaker waves from the many signs posted about them as you approach the beach. Sneaker Waves or Rogue waves are large waves that appear, even on calm days. Some have swept unsuspecting people out to sea. You stay back from the shore line, but remain completely enthralled by the beauty it presents. The slight potential for danger perhaps even enhancing the experience.

Driving back to Lower Harbor Drive and taking a left leads you to the Port of Brookings. This is a large Port with direct access to the Pacific. A fleet of crab vessels calls this port home.

Several ships sell Dungeness crab from the ship, at dockside. One, Bounders, will cook it as well as clean it. Then give you tasty lessons on how to eat them while you wait. It was the best 30 minutes spent on a floating dock in my lifetime.

After you've loaded up on fresh crab, it's back to the car. Then another short ride to downtown Brookings Harbor. This area is a large parking area converted into a mall of shops. The shops offer mailing services, fishing supplies, coffee houses. There are several restaurants and a harbor side boardwalk.

The boardwalk fronts the public side of the harbor. The harbor offers moorings for large sailing ships as well as smaller pleasure craft. There is a large public boat ramp available. There are many wonderful places to sit and watch the sunsets.

The Chamber of Commerce is also located here as well as the local ATM.

Brookings Harbor, OR offers a unique coastal experience. If the opportunity to visit presents itself, you would be well served to take it.