After driving approximately 174 miles south, we arrived in Newport, Oregon. We had made a reservation at Pacific Shores RV Motorcoach Resort. Pacific Shores Motorcoach Resort is a beautifully landscaped resort with full hook-ups 30/50 amps on concrete pads with 2 swimming pools and easy access to the beach. We enjoyed the indoor swimming pool for morning exercise and the pie social with the full-time residents.
One of the items on our bucket list was the Sea Lions Caves tour. The Sea Lion Caves is located 11 miles north of Florence, Oregon, and Florence is located 49 miles outside of Newport, Oregon on Highway 101.
Sea Lion Caves were discovered in 1880 by a local seaman, Captain William Cox, who entered the grotto through the western channel in a small boat on a calm day. He reportedly returned to explore the caves several times and on one occasion was marooned for several days because of stormy weather and rough ocean. He reportedly sustained himself by shooting a young sea lion and eating the meat of its flippers. Regardless of the incident’s authenticity, it is established that Captain Cox purchased the land in 1887 from the State of Oregon. His family owned the property until 1926.
Sea Lion Caves is one of the great sea caves of the world and currently ranks 10th among the world’s longest sea caves. With a measured length of 1315 feet, it is the longest in the United States. A comparable cave is the undeveloped Painted Cave on Santa Cruz Island, California, which is 1227 feet long.
Sea lions resting on the rocks
It was a windy day, the day we visited, but we did enjoy our time. Next time you’re traveling highway 101 on the Oregon coast it’s worth the stop.
We want to thank Noreen and Larry Chamberland for their hospitality, the fun conversations, the invite to the pie social, and for the care package that they gave us when we left. We hope all is well with you both.
Time to hit the road, next stop Gold Beach, Oregon