You may have gone on the Crescent City/Redwoods excursion on the ABC day off, but did you know you could also visit the beautiful southern Oregon coast and still experience the majesty of Stout Grove en route? That’s what I did over spring break.

I began by heading north on I-5 to Grants Pass, then heading southwest on Hwy 199. I stopped for a snack and rest stop at Taylor’s Sausage in Cave Junction, which would also make a great stop for a late breakfast. Then I continued on 199 to Stout Grove (a couple of miles off the highway) in the Jedediah Smith Redwoods, where I spent some time on the smoothly groomed hiking loop trail. This leg could just as easily come on the way home from the beach.

Next I headed back to Hwy 199 for a few miles to Hwy 101 and north to the Oregon border. Just beyond the border is a welcome center at Crissey Field State Recreation Site. I missed the turn, but it would make a great spot for a first walk on the beach. I continued a few miles and had lunch at The Hungry Clam, one of several restaurants in Harbor overlooking the Port of Brookings.

Finally I ended up at Harris Beach State Park, which sits on a bluff overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean on the north end of Brookings. The day use area has a large parking lot, picnic area, restroom facilities, and even a foot wash to rinse the sand off. Beach access includes a wheelchair/stroller-friendly ramp to a smooth, sandy beach and a rustic hiking trail to a driftwood-strewn beach.

On my last return trip from the Redwoods we stopped at Wild River Pizza, which has several locations along the return route from Brookings.