Pastoral sheep ranches, cranberry bogs, berry fields, and Christmas tree farms dominate the 25-mile stretch south of Bandon, but as you pull into Port Orford (pop. 1,025), you’ll notice a huge volcanic plug abutting the crescent-shaped shoreline. Known as Battle Rock, it’s where early settlers fought off a party of hostile Indians; the rock is most impressive from the harbor below. Due to the southwest orientation, which subjects the harbor to turbulent winds and constant waves, fishing boats have to be lowered into the water by crane.

  A nice place to stay in Port Orford is the Home by the Sea B&B ($90–120; 541/332-2855 or 800/480-2144), at 444 Jackson Street, within walking distance to town along a stunning stretch of coastline.

  Six miles south of Port Orford you’ll come to Humbug Mountain, whose 1,756-foot elevation flanks the west side of the highway. It’s the coast’s highest peak rising directly off the beach, and its steep contours and tree-covered slopes impart an eerily beautiful quality to the light on this section of US-101. The mountain’s name was bestowed by prospectors who found that tales of gold deposits here were just “humbug.”