The only true clipper ship ever constructed on the West Coast of the US was built here. The Western Shore, also called the Oregon Clipper, was the fastest of her time, and set speed records like Astoria to Liverpool in 97 days and San Francisco to Liverpool in 110 days.
Asa Simpson was the sea captain and lumber man who launched the Western Shore from his shipyard in the North Bend of the horseshoe-shaped Coos Bay in 1874
The only true clipper ship ever constructed on the West Coast of the US was built here. The Western Shore, also called the Oregon Clipper, was the fastest of her time, and set speed records like Astoria to Liverpool in 97 days and San Francisco to Liverpool in 110 days.
Asa Simpson was the sea captain and lumber man who launched the Western Shore from his shipyard in the North Bend of the horseshoe-shaped Coos Bay in 1874. The Oregon Clipper was so fast that she beat a steamship by more than two hours in a race from San Francisco to Astoria. Her short-lived glory came to an end in 1878 when her captain of the time, reportedly drunk, ran her aground and sank her. That's the fun kind of lore North Bend is built on. Times have changed and tourism is more a part of the economy than ship building or logging. Located at the south end of the 40-mile-long Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area means there's a lot of people who come here for fun and relaxation. The city of nearly 10,000 sits just north of its larger neighbor Coos Bay on Highway 101, the famous coastal road that spans the West Coast from Canada to Mexico. The 5,888-foot-long Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge, built during the Great Depression as a WPA project, is a landmark on the highway and located just outside of North Bend.
Living on the Oregon Coast has its challenges but there are few places more beautiful. Typically, finding an apartment to rent in North Bend is a little harder than in much of the country because they are in high demand. To be successful in your search, get a plan and start putting it into action as soon as you know you want to make the move. Be prepared for a full credit check and to put down first, last, and security deposit. There are a limited number of luxury apartments to be had, so if you are looking for all the top amenities, getting started early is even more important. Begin with a list of your favorite locales and start narrowing it down based on your own desires and what's available.
North Bend is divided into three main sections, each with their own advantages. Make sure to scour these neighborhoods ahead of time if you can in order to get your top pick of great rental properties.
Waterfront: On the Coos Bay side, expect a mix of industrial space and residential blocks. Part working harbor and part neighborhood, it's good place to start your search for home rentals. On the Pacific side, the waterfront area is a collection of properties that are occupied year-round and some vacation homes that can be rented on a month-to-month basis.
Downtown: As Highway 101 goes down along the east side of town and intersects Virginia Avenue, the downtown core takes shape. It's classic small coastal town, with curio shops, small stores, and eateries, including North Bend Bar and Grill and Twede's Cafe. You can search for studio apartments here.
Lakeshore / Newmark: This residential neighborhood along Lakeshore Drive loops around the top of the three bodies of water that make up the Empire Lakes. Along Newmark Avenue on the south side of the lakes, you can find an apartment in one of the mid-size complexes here.
The lifestyle along the Oregon Coast can vary widely over the seasons. Bustling with tourist activity in the summer, then quiet and less populated in the winter. The Pacific storms that bring the region its famous rain are fun to watch and can help you get accustomed to the gray skies of winter. Just across the bridge to the north, impressive sand dunes meet crashing surf on one side and forested hills on the other. Riding ATVs, horses, and dune buggies are popular activities. The summers can still be cool, which might surprise you at first, especially when it's hot a few miles inland.
