BROOKINGS, OREGON AREA INFORMATION
BROOKINGS-OREGON WEATHER
With the mildest climate on the coast, Brookings Harbor Oregon has earned its name a Oregon's Banana Belt." The coastal climate is mild all year, with temperatures usually between 50-70 degrees. Brookings is blessed with a south-facing location that warms the town and keeps away westerly winds. According to the Oregon Coast Magazine's article, "Basking in Brookings:"
Brookings Oregon Summers are generally warm and clear, although coastal fog can be common when inland temperatures reach over 100 degrees. Warm days with temperatures of 60-70 degrees can occur even in the winter, although rainy winter storms are common.
'The Brookings Effect,' the term meteorologists use for the phenomenon that keeps Brookings-Harbor weather so pleasant here in Brookings-Harbor Oregon, has to do with shifts in high pressure regions in the Pacific Northwest that encourage hot air from California's interior valleys to migrate into the Brookings area in the summer. In the winter, a "down slope" movement of air from higher elevations, warmed and compressed as it moves toward sea level, collects around Brookings and sometimes pushes temperatures as high as 8o degrees on a winter day.(Larry Bacon, "Basking in Brookings" Oregon Coast, Dec. 2005)
The city of Brookings is separated by the Chetco Bridge which leads to Harbor just south. Harbor has its own zip code and its own port commission. Pot docking is still some of the cheapest moorage in the nation for 50 ft slips with power around a 100.00.
BROOKINGS-HARBOR SCENERY AND PARKS
Brookings is located along an outstandingly beautiful section of the Pacific Coast. Rock outcrops dot the ocean shore. Beautiful, clean, healthy rivers support some of the last great runs of salmon and steelhead. This picturesque setting is perfect for summer coastal photography, exploring, fishing, hiking, rafting, and much more.
Loeb State
Park is about 8 miles up the north bank of the Chetco River. This park has 320
acres of myrtle wood (a local species found only in Oregon
Four miles
north of Brookings Oregon, Samuel H. Boardman State Park encompasses 11 miles
of Oregon's most spectacular and scenic coastline. The seven mile Oregon Coast
Trail is the best way to experience one of the world's finest coastline stretches.
There are many viewpoints along the trail, including House Rock Viewpoint and
Whalehead Viewpoint. Boardman Park is also known as being a great tide pooling
area during low tide, where visitors can scramble out among the rocks and see
starfish, sea urchins, crabs, sea anemones and other ocean creatures.
Brookings-Harbor
is also famous for growing nearly 90% of America's Easter lilies, and an early
summer drive between Brookings Oregon and Crescent City takes you through breathtaking
views of fields of blooming lilies.
THE BROOKINGS-HARBOR COMMUNITY
Located
approximately 6 miles north of the California border on Hwy 101, Brookings has
grown at a fast pace over the last 20-30 years. Noted as one of the best places
to retire in several books, the community is home to many retired persons. Investors
have flocked to Brookings Oregon in recent years as housing prices have rapidly
climbed. Many residents are former Californians.
Brookings hosts many activities throughout the year. The Second Saturday Art
Walk invites residents to Brookings galleries to view the works of local artists
every month. The Azalea Festival and parade occurs over Memorial Day weekend.
The summer brings free summer concerts at Azalea Park, the annual kite festival
and the yearly artists fair at the Port of Brookings-Harbor which features over
100 booths. Numerous arts and craft bazaars occur throughout the year.
In December, Azalea Park is transformed into
a winter wonderland with Nature's Coastal Holiday Light Show and Sculpture Display.
Many residents enjoy attending live plays by the Pelican Players.
BROOKINGS DEVELOPMENT
The Brookings community is experiencing many changes associated with growth.
Large housing developments may add thousands of homes in the coming years. A
big player in this growth is US Borax, who has planned a housing development
on their land near Lone Ranch just north of town. In the summer of 2005, Borax
was working on laying water and sewer lines to this property. A new local
campus for the Southwestern Community College is in the works as well, and may
be a part of the Borax development. Other developments in the Harbor Hills have
been discussed. In the winter of 2005-2006, work was started to bury the power
lines downtown. By August of 2006, crews finished up the new paving and sidewalks
and erected new decorative green light posts. This new street lighting, combined
with future plantings of trees and decorative trashcans, will complete the city's
face-lift. Recent newspaper articles have discussed the city's plan for a new
downtown color scheme.
The community already has many new and improved amenities for its residents.
Fred Meyer finished a multi-million dollar remodel in November of 2005. The
enormous store has everything one would expect from a store in a large city,
from a large natural foods section in the grocery store to name-brand clothing
in the upstairs clothing department. The remodel gave Fred Meyer a face-lift,
and added a drive-through pharmacy, a Starbucks, an expanded garden area, and
a new interior look.
In addition, the 17,000 square foot community library is housed in a beautiful
newer building. The library is complete with a computer room and community events
room, which showcases local art during the Second Saturday Art Walk.
The Salmon Run Golf Course located up the South Bank of the Chetco River is
also popular with residents and visitors.
BROOKINGS TRIVIA
Brookings-Harbor is the only spot in the continental
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