Oregon Coast Vacation, Tips Local Advice, Where to Go

I love the Oregon coast. I've lived in Oregon since I was about 6 and still adore it. Kind of bummed that the husband wants to go to Seattle for this summer vacation, but anyway...

Cannon Beach is nice, but not great for beachcombing usually. (Which is our favorite beach activity besides sandcastles and dams!) Very busy tourist town, which is cute and nice but busy. Going down the coastline, Seaside is also very touristy; Lincoln City is popular and does end up having a lot of traffic, though.

If you are looking for tidepools, the beach around Seal Rock is great. Seal Rock is about 15 minutes or so south of Newport. Newport itself has a cute waterfront area on Yaquina Bay; also has Nye Beach for a little more upscale shopping/food. There are lots of hotels in the area, a great aquarium and Rogue Brewpub, which is very family friendly. (make dinner reservations, though, we learned!) Newport also has some good beaches in the northern part of town as well as two historic lighthouses. Seal Rock State Park: it's a bit of a walk out to the tidepools, but very nice when you get there.

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp...

You might look around and see where the best rates are for lodging. Seal Rock (the town) is just a bit north of Waldport and the more rugged beaches of Yachats are a bit more south of that. It's a nice stretch of coastline. When we go, we stay at in Seal Rock and drive up to Newport.

I hope someone else can give you more information on southern Oregon Beaches.

Someone I know posted this recently, not sure IF it's close to where you might go in Oregon, but check it out
www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20140126/OUTDOORS/301260...

Otherwise, I've been to Multnomah Falls, which was really pretty and straight up hike, but in my opinion do-able. even for younger kids..
walked around Portland, and ate a lot :):) Lardos was a yummy spot and of course, many food trucks... Oregon is so pretty...
Not sure if you;re into it, but they day rafting trips on various river, I've been down the Rogue and thought it was so pretty.. LOVE LOVE Oregon.. :)

Before we got married my husband and I did a camping road trip all the way up the coast of CA and Oregon. I loved it. As far as trips, it was right up there with my honeymoon. Course, I don't go many places, but still :)

I remember Cannon Beach well, it was quite quaint. The beach was cool, but fyi water was freeeezing in the middle of summer. We were there a day or two and that was enough.

I actually enjoyed a lot of the non-coastal landmarks, the oregon caves are pretty cool- I could see boys being impressed with that. Multnomah Falls was pretty memorable, and easily accessible. We also went all the way up the coast and along the Columbia River Gorge, lots of waterfalls there.

Another town I thought was cool I wish I could remember the name, it had a neat bridge, seals, a wax museum... very touristy...anyone??? I'll look it up maybe tomorrow and add it in.

And the Tillamook cheese factory was a great stop! Most delicious ice cream.

Nervy Girl hit all the places I was going to list! FYI, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is in Newport. Your kids might enjoy that. Also, there is a little beach called Neskowin that is beautiful and secluded. Astoria is nice too.

Good luck and have fun! I am Oregon born and raised. We Oregonians are just so proud of our state!

I'm laughing out loud at the idea of playing in the water on the Oregon coast. It's COLD! I grew up in Washington State and going to the beach was always good for a laugh. Run into the water....freeze...run out and get warm in the sun as your teeth chatter through blue lips. :)

If you're good with that, yes, go for it. We always went to Seaside.

We love the Oregon Coast!

Definitely go to the Newport Aquarium. If you can, rent a small boat and crab pots do some crabbing in one of the small bays. How old are your boys? Can you do some deep sea fishing (bottom fishing for rock fish, ling cod, etc) with them? Salmon fishing? Both of those are fun day trips. Buy a couple kites and fly them on the beach. Tillamook Cheese Factory is a fun place to go. A day at the sand dunes is a blast, but I can't remember exactly where we went but I am sure you can google that.