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Its backdrop is the Siuslaw National Forest, one of the nation's most productive tree growing areas.
 Florence is also a river town. From more than one hundred miles deep within the Coastal Range, the Siuslaw River begins a meandering trip to the sea. About half a mile west of Florence, new jetties have extended the river´s mouth. Two walls of massive stones extend a quarter mile into the Pacific Ocean. This $30 million project was done to enhance river navigation.
More and more often the traffic whistle blows, the center of the Siuslaw Bridge raises and another fishing boat or lumber barge passes the historic riverfront district.
There are over a dozen fresh water lakes, which serve anglers, boaters and swimmers. All of these features add up to a whole lot of tourism. Whether one's recreational needs call for sand, surf, golfing, lakeshores or a deep forest, Florence has all of it close at hand. Recently half a million dollars was spent improving a lighted 3,000 foot runway at the airport. And right down the street an Industrial and Business Park is booming.
The young and the old find Florence to be a perfect town to live in. About 1/3 of its 8,600+ residents have chosen it as a home for their senior years. Most of these residents are active seniors, participating in community singing, travel clubs, nature study groups and volunteer work in government and social services.
The young also find Florence to be an excellent place to grow up in. Florence and the nearby community of Mapleton provide schooling for 2,000+ students. Kids have strong groups of friends and have a myriad of activities that surround them daily.
Florence is also neighbors with some other quickly growing towns. Dunes City is a few miles south of Florence; its 1,100+ residents have established homes between two of the largest coastal lakes, Woahink and Siltcoos. For them, it's only a walk to recreational opportunities, whether the choice is water skiing, hunting or access to dunes and ocean beaches.
East of Florence, farther up into the Coastal Range is Mapleton. This unincorporated community at the junction of Hwy 126 and Hwy 36, is the gateway to water sports on the upper Siuslaw and Lake Creek. Mapleton has a small, but enthusiastic business community, offering a surprising number of services to locals and tourists. Many of the storefronts reflect a quaint reminder of earlier days along the river. Thoroughly modern, on the other hand, is an indoor Olympic-size swimming and diving facility.
Legend has it that Florence Oregon was named after debris from a grounded French sailing vessel. A plank was hung above the local hotel and the town became known as Florence. Play in the dunes, visit Oregon's most scenic beaches, explore Old Town, the activities are endless in this peaceful coastal village.
The center of community events as well as first-class entertainment, The Florence Events Center has an amazing variety of productions in store for you. Past performances in Florence have run the gamut from local community theater to Helen Reddy as "Shirley Valentine".
"Come now and enter through a door that leads to yesteryear..." and experience our coastal heritage at the Pioneer Museum Included are an old Indian Dugout canoe in the center of the main floor, an old kitchen cook stove, blacksmith's bellows, and steam engine. Old Town Maple & 2nd Open 12:00 - 4:00, Tuesday - Sunday $3.00 fee
The Guinness Book of World Records has recently confirmed Sea Lion Caves as the largest sea caves in the world. It is the only known remaining home of wild Steller Sea Lions on the North American mainland. 11 miles north of Florence, open 9:00 am to dusk, (541) 547-3111
Heceta Lighthouse at Devil's Elbow State Park is a popular beach and picnic area north of Florence. A trail leads to the lighthouse and keeper's house with daily tours during the summer and on weekends the rest of the year.
Florence is at the northern most tip of the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area and located near some of the highest dunes. Many areas are open to ATV's, bring your own or rent a vehicle or take a tour at Sandland Adventures.
Siuslaw River provides anglers with some very challenging and productive Chinook salmon, Steelhead and Sturgeon fishing throughout the year.
Dungeness crab can be found on the Siuslaw river floor just about anywhere from the mouth of the jetty to Old Town Florence. Also, clammers will love the bed just east of town on 126 for delicious razor clams. | 
