Oregon's Coastal Escape With Sporty Appeal Is A Chic Resort With Golf Greens Overlooking Scenic Beaches

There's something about the Oregon coastline that transforms the Pacific from a sunny expanse into a dramatic force. Sometimes, all you need to do is escape your routine and take in the scenic views. One destination in the Beaver State delivers on several fronts, as the chic Bandon Dunes Golf Resort allows you to disconnect and soak in the Oregon coast, all while playing courses inspired by traditional Scottish links golf. Here, you'll be leaving the golf carts behind and experiencing the resort's sporty appeal on foot. The resort's courses have a walking-only policy, so you can stretch your legs and admire the golf greens without relying on carts.

Boasting seven distinct courses, Bandon Dunes gives you the opportunity to play across a diverse variety of layouts. With holes running along the bluffs overlooking picturesque beaches, the Pacific observes many of the fairways. The vast majority of guests have left glowing reviews of the resort, with one Google review saying: "I have experienced everything here, from beautiful calm days to some of the toughest wind you can imagine, and through it all, the golf courses and overall conditions are consistently outstanding."

Golf enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to at this resort, but active pastimes aren't limited to the rolling greens at Bandon Dunes. Guests can explore 6 miles of paths winding through the native coastal sand dunes ecosystem. You can enjoy casual fishing at designated lakes, pamper yourself at the spa, and squeeze in more workouts at the gym. With a luxury getaway comes upscale dining, and you have multiple options. Getting to the resort isn't too tough; Salem is three and a half hours from Bandon Dunes, while Portland is just over four hours away.

Bandon Dunes is ranked among the best-reviewed golf courses in the U.S. for a good reason. Designed by some of golf's best-known architects and inspired by traditional Scottish links courses, the walk-only courses host major events throughout the year. Out of the seven courses, four are 18-hole courses of championship caliber — Bandon Dunes, Bandon Trails, Old Macdonald, and Pacific Dunes. The namesake course, opened in 1999, is located directly on the rugged coastal sand dunes of Oregon. Scotsman David McLay Kidd's design starts out with a gentle opener and quickly turns into a challenging test of wits. The third hole of the par-72 course is when the beach views join the game.

Pacific Dunes, on the other hand, is a par-71 layout that also opens up to beach panoramas by the third hole. As the resort's second course, Pacific Dunes exposes you to coastal pines and massive sand dunes while upping the ante with every swing. The fourth hole, however, just might take the lead in terms of scenery — it hugs the rugged cliffs with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

Opened just four years later is the Bandon Trails course, planned by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. While the other two have waterfront vistas, this par-71 course takes you inland from the sands toward the meadows and forest. As for the fourth championship course, Old Macdonald lets golfers play a round in the name of Charles Blair Macdonald, the pioneer of American golf course architecture. In fact, Macdonald is the person behind one of the country's very first 18-hole courses in Illinois. When you get to this course's third hole, you'll spot the Ghost Tree, a lone-standing cedar. And before you hit the first tee, there's never a bad time to pick up some golf gear-related gift ideas.

The other courses at Bandon Dunes are the 18-hole Sheep Ranch, the 13-hole Bandon Preserve, and the newest addition to the resort, the 19-hole Shorty's. Though golf is the flagship sporting amenity, guests will find other ways to keep moving. The 6-mile trail system caters to different skill levels. The shortest and easiest is the 1.5-mile Woodland Trail for an out-and-back trip, and this quick trip guides you to spruce woodland covered with ferns.

The Dune Trail offers the hardest hike. Those who are up for the challenge can tackle the 2.4-mile hike, which takes an average of 90 minutes to complete. Along the way, you might come across gray foxes and black-tailed deer, as well as bird life. If you're a recreational angler, you can bring your fishing rod (and license) to cast a line — not in the Pacific, but the private lakes of Bandon Dunes, where you might catch cutthroat trout and largemouth bass. Not to mention, you can access the on-site fitness center any time of the day.

The resort's spa offers a range of treatments, including sports, Swedish, and deep-tissue massages, along with a sauna for post-round relaxation. It isn't quite on the level of the best spa resorts in the U.S., but it is still a delightful way to rejuvenate after 18 challenging holes. As for a peaceful space to meditate, take a quiet stroll by the Labyrinth. Providing both sophisticated leisure and active pursuits, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is "top-notch all around" with "beautiful ocean views," as one guest described on Google. For more idyllic resorts with golf in Oregon, head to Juniper Preserve, located half an hour from Bend.