3 days on Oregon Coast in August
 

My husband and I will be flying in to Seattle August 1st and plan to spend 3 nights driving along the Oregon coast before heading back to Seattle. I can't wait as I've heard the coastline is absolutely gorgeous! As we don't have that much time, I'm looking for a good area to spend at least 2 nights. Ideally - I'd like it to be close for day trips.

We'd like to do walks on the beach, some short hikes (I'll be 7 months pregnant!) and enjoy the scenery. I've heard great things about Yachats or Cannon Beach as potentially good places to stay. Any suggestions on towns or places to stay would be much appreciated. Thanks!

It is awkward to fly into Seattle for traveling along the Oregon coast. It would be better to fly into Portland. In any event, in three days you can explore the stretch of coast from Florence to Cannon Beach.

It would be ideal to spend one night in Cannot Beach and two nights in Yachats or Newport.

I did check into flying into Portland and then out of Seattle but it was unfortunately too expensive. While it's not ideal, I was thinking that we'd probably not drive all the way to Portland but just stay somewhere in the middle on the coast.

Are there any places you would recommend in Cannon Beach or Yachats?

I'm still not clear about your reason for flying in and out of Seattle. There is no place on the Oregon coast "in the middle" between Portland and Seattle.

The issue with Cannon Beach is that most places have 2+ night minimum stay requirements during the summer. There are lots of places to recommend there, but it would be a stroke of luck that any of them would accept a reservation for only one night.

How many nights on the coast are you planning? If 3, consider spending them all in the same location, maybe driving a section of the coast on your way from/to Seattle/Portland. And I'm with you; either Cannon Beach or Yachats would be my choice. In Yachats it's an easy choice: Overleaf Lodge - http://www.overleaflodge.com/. In Cannon Beach, it depends on your budget. Stephanie Inn is wonderful if you're willing to pay $400-$500 per night.

We prefer to drive to Cannon Beach via Raymond, WA. From SeaTac it is about 190 miles and a 3-3/4 hour drive. (The routing on OR-30 is far less scenic than it appears on a map.)

Lodging in Cannon Beach is expensive. We like Schooner's Cove, which is often fully booked.

If you are arriving in the afternoon, you may want to book a room in Astoria for the first night. The Holiday Inn Express there is a new, very good place with rooms that have great views of the Columbia River and Astoria Bridge.

The next day you could explore the Cannon Beach area and the stretch of coast down to Yachats.

In Yachats, the Overleaf Lodge is the preferred lodging for most, but we like the less pricy sister property--Fireside Motel, where most rooms have great ocean views.

HTTY

Yes, why not just fly in and out of Portland and skip Seattle if you're mainly doing this trip to see the Oregon coast?

As noted, there's nothing on the OR coast "in between", as Portland is just over the OR border from WA, so the OR coast is going to be at the same latitude or further south.

I'm meeting some friends in Seattle from Wed-Sun so have to eventually drive to Seattle. I did check into flying into Portland and out of Seattle but it was too expensive unfortunately.

It sounds like it's a long drive to Yachats from Seattle and back (6 hrs each way) so would it be better to just stay in the Cannon Beach area for the 3 nights? Would appreciate any recommendations.

"....so would it be better to just stay in the Cannon Beach area for the 3 nights?"

That would be my recommendation. Plenty of beautiful scenery in the surrounding area, or just relax on the beach. Either way, it's a great place to spend 3 days.

But I suggest you make reservations ASAP. What's your budget?

I'm flexible. Ideally I'd like to have a nice location on or very close to the beach.

I like the Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach. It's nice but not overly pricey--a better value IMO than the Stephanie next door. The Surfsand is also nice but very popular with families (the Ocean Lodge takes kids but it's not quite as family focused as the Surfsand can be in the summer). The Stephanie only takes kids over 12 I think so if you want a more adults only environment, that may be your best bet.

Both the Ocean Lodge and Stephanie are a bit south of downtown so you either need to do a longish walk along the beach to town (about 30 minutes or so) or a short drive whereas the Surfsand is more centrally located.

Everything mentioned so far in Cannon Beach is on the beach. Besides those there are the Hallmark Resort and Lands End Motel, which is the least expensive. And I agree; if you can swing it, stay on the beach. If not, my choice would be Cannon Beach Hotel, a small, European-style place, next to the SurfSand Resort, and less than a block from the beach. Its sister property, The Courtyard, is also a good option.

Once you've locked up a reservation, we can help with things to see and do, restaurants...

Thanks for all the lodging suggestions.

I was able to reserve a room at the Surfsand but unfortunately it's on the first level so very limited view. Would you recommend this? I've heard mixed reviews about this type of room.

I know the Oregon coast gets all the raves, but I really like the Washington coast (been to both). Why not look into that? There's lots to do in Washington - I'd save Oregon for next time.

I'd definitely be open to the Washington coast as well. Let me know if you have any specific recommedations. I'd be flying in and out of Seattle. Thanks.

blue06--We have stayed in those rooms many times. The views are not that limited actually. The only problem you might come across is that the window is at the deck height, so if your room is near the stairs you will have more traffic going past. Ask for a room further from the stairs and there shouldn't be any issue at all:)

Try this and maybe start a new thread. I loved the Washington coast and the towns are quaint - at least they were 10 years ago. It just seems easier than going to Oregon and just as rewarding.

http://nwcoast.com/washington/

One of the pleasures of a beachfront room for me is sitting on its outside deck enjoying the scenery. You can't do that from those first level rooms at Surfsand, which I expect is why they get mixed reviews. Did you try all the others (including Schooner's Cove)?

I guess I have to admit to a bias, but except for the Olympic Peninsula, I don't think WA's coastline is nearly as dramatic as OR's. And it's hard to find a more perfect beach town than Cannon Beach. So, if you can handle the extra 2 hours of driving each way, you still might consider Yachats.

We love the Cannon Beach/Seaside area of the northern coast. What is your budget for lodging? Ecola Creek Lodge is a nice place in Cannon Beach that is reasonably priced. In Seaside, check out Inn of the Four Winds, Best Western Oceaview Resort, Seaside Inn, Lanai @ the Cove or Tides by the Sea. ***kim*** ((#))

Stephanie Inn looks gorgeous but it's above my price range. However, it looks like I'll be able to get a room at either Ocean Lodge or Surfsand. They are both ocean front studios either on the 3rd or 4th floors so the view should be great.

Any preferences on either property? Price is very comparable.

Blue06--Either one would be fine. I haven't stayed at the Ocean Lodge so can't comment on those rooms though. As for location, it depends on what you want. The Surfsand is an easy walk to the heart of downtown, either along the beach or along sidewalks. The Ocean Lodge is further from town, but is doable from the beach. The road from downtown to the Ocean Lodge though does not have any sidewalks and has a twisty/windy area that I would not walk along.

Kimamom--From your other posts, you have not stayed in any hotel in these areas. Did you tour them?