California’s northern coastal county — Del Norte — and Oregon’s southern coastal county, Curry — share a common lifestyle. Both counties contain miles of unspoiled beaches and rivers famous for salmon and steelhead. On the other hand, Southern Oregon’s Josephine and Jackson Counties, which are east of Curry County, offer warmer summertime temperatures, winter skiing, whitewater excitement, wineries and Shakespearean performances at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

California’s Del Norte County is located roughly halfway between San Francisco and Portland, Oregon. One of the many attractions of this county are the coastal redwood forests, particularly the Redwoods National and State Parks. Trees of Mystery, located off Hwy 101 in Klamath, the southernmost town in Del Norte County, offers visitors the opportunity to ride the SkyTrail through towering treetops. Exciting Jet Boat tours on the Klamath River are also available near there.

Crescent City is the county seat and Del Norte’s largest city. Here visitors can enjoy parks and sandy beaches, restaurants, museums, art galleries and other attractions. One favorite of tourists is the always exciting and educational Ocean World, one of America’s best privately owned small aquariums. Nearby the majestic Smith River flows to the ocean and offers an array of recreational activities, including rafting, inner-tubing, kayaking and fishing. Just north of Crescent City is the quaint agricultural community of Smith River, where the river of that name enters the Pacific.

The Southern Oregon coast offers visitors dazzling ocean vistas and lush green forests, sand dunes and sea lions, water sports and sailing adventures. Brookings, the southernmost town in Oregon’s Curry County, offers spectacular coastal parks, such as Harris Beach and Samuel H. Boardman State Parks. Still further north, Gold Beach and charming Wedderburn flank the mouth of the Rogue River. Gold Beach hosts the Curry County Fair in the summer and the Whale of a Wine Festival in May.

At the crossroads of Hwy 101 and County Road 595 in Gold Beach, many travelers don’t realize what making that turnoff could do for them. County 595 becomes Agness Rd. after about 20 miles, and leads to the small town of its namesake, Agness. The world famous Rogue River runs right through the center of town. The Historic Lucas Pioneer Ranch, Singing Springs Resort, and Cougar Lane Lodge, all in Agness, offer Rogue River visitors hospitality, fine food, casual overnight accommodations and an escape from the hustle of everyday life.

Inland Southern Oregon offers warmer summertime temperatures, wintertime skiing, whitewater excitement, wineries and Shakespeare performances. From beautiful coastal communities like Gold Beach, Brookings Harbor and Florence, to the inland cities of Grant’s Pass, Ashland and Medford, to the gorgeous Willamette Valley and everything in between, Oregon is a natural paradise.