Of course, anyone else with info is welcome to post as well! I have been reading through the posts, and have found so much helpful info regarding the coast. However, I'm still at a loss as to what type of timetable I should be working with for our upcoming coastal trip.

We'll be in Portland from 5/30-6/11 with our 3 kids, ages 9,12, and 14. (staying with family) I am a photography nut and want to spend photo time on the coast without boring the kids to death. As it stands, I have reservations in Yachats at the Overleaf lodge for 6/5-6/6, with a Dune Buggy tour on the 6th. I thought we might also try for a night in Cannon Beach... the SurfSand looks great... but I'm not sure about driving times between Cannon and Yachats, and am not sure whether to tack it on before or after Yachats. (Or, just go there separately on another day)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- I didn't realize how fast this trip was creeping up on me!

I'm not Beachbum or Scarlett, but I do live here

Driving time will all depend on how often you stop, and traffic of course. The coastal routes are pretty slow going anyway. It is roughly 120 miles between the two, but will take much more than 2 hours like it would on a freeway.

Beachbum is definitely the one to ask about photography!

Surfsand is a perfect place to stay, especially with a family. We have stayed there quite a bit and love it. Definitely make reservations as soon as possible, as it sells out quickly! They normally have a 2 night minimum on the weekends. If you only want one night, ask and they may be able to. Two nights there though would be good and you would not run out of things to do. The SurfSand has two bedroom suites that would work well for you. They have a master bedroom with its own bath, then another bedroom, another bath, and two bed/couches in the main living area. It also has a small kitchen. If you stay here, ask for an oceanview room vs the parking lot.

Our kids are near your kids ages, and we love to rent the funcycles to ride in the sand. There is a place right by the Surfsand for that, and it is $10 for 90 minutes. At low tide, check out the tidepools at the base of Haystack Rock. Ecola State Park is on the north edge of town and is beautiful and has some nice, but easy, hiking trails.

Thanks! Actually, I just got off the phone with my mother-in-law, and she's going to let my husband and I stay the night in Cannon Beach by ourselves on Friday the 2nd, then meet us there with the kids on the 3rd. So would SurfSand still be appropriate for a romantic night for 2?

The funcycles sound great- I'm looking forward to the tidepools with my nature loving daughters as well!

Thanks again- I can't wait!

What a nice MIL!

The SurfSand would be fine for the two of you, but you might also consider its sister property, the Stephanie Inn. It is geared towards couples. Beachbum has stayed there (I have not)so could give you the details.

I am not sure if this would work, to stay a night at each place, with the minimum stays, but since they are sister properties they might work with you on that. The SurfSand is an easy walk into the main downtown area, whereas the Stephanie Inn is a bit further down and without sidewalks to walk, if that matters to you at all.

BTW, there is a fun candy store in Cannon Beach called Bruce's that I am sure your kids will find right away!

Hi there! You will love the Cannon Beach area for your photography. Go to Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, you can get some excellent shots of Haystack Rock from the trails there. Indian Beach is also very scenic, we were there almost daily last summer when my family learned to surf in the area!

Right next to the Surfsand is Gower St. Bistro where we were regulars last summer. (We have a beach cottage in Seaside, about ten minutes from CB.) Very good food and excellent chocolate pot de creme!

Your kids might enjoy going to Seaside to check out the prom, beach shops, small aquarium and there are a couple of rides there. (Tilt-a-whirl and bumper cars.) There is also a place to rent kayaks or paddle boats on the Necanicum River. Take your kids to Mo's for some great seafood, it's a great place to feed a family. We have traveled with as many as eight teens at once and this is an excellent place for a larger group!

Fort Stevens State Park is also worth a visit and you could get some great shots there of the Peter Iredale. I have several photos posted of Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, and Ecola State Park on the Review Section on Tripadvisor of you're interested! As well as several photos of Portland. (Zoo, Chinese Classical Gardens, Rose Gardens, etc.) Have a great time! ***kim***

You're in for a treat, kkraczek. Yachats south to the dunes has some of the more spectacular of Oregon's coastal scenery.

We stayed at Overleaf last summer. If feels and sounds like the waves are crashing right outside your door, but maybe that's because they are! Low tide is also a great time with a camera there.

If it fits within your budget, Stephanie Inn is definitely the more romantic spot. Heck, they don't even allow kids under 12 to stay there. ;-)

Stephanie Inn is also south of Haystack Rock, which is the best direction from which to approach it for your sunrise photo shoot. When you're done there, if the light's still nice, hop in the car and head to Ecola State Park. Some great shots there too.

Have fun.

You posted as I was writing, kimamom. When was the last time you were in Seaside? Did they open up a Mo's there recently? And by the way, I'm still waiting to see your vacation snapshots of the cows in the pasture at Blue Heron in Tillamook. ;-)

Wow- thanks to all for your responses! I'm going to look into the Stephanie Inn as well as the SurfSand this afternoon.

We'll definitely hit Ecola State park as well- I do hope that we can fit it all in, since I don't think we can manage 2 nights.

I'm thrilled that there are so many opportunities for the entire family- I was worried that I was going to make my kids crazy with all the photography stuff- but it looks like we'll all have a great time there!

Any other recommendations are welcome...(especially photo tips! ) I'm just getting more excited by the minute! Thanks again!

Picture taking opportunities:
I love the River meeting the Ocean at Yachats.
http://www.yachats.org
Both north and south sides are really cool, including the rocks filled with Starfish along the north side.
Cape Perpetua-drive to the top. Wonderful.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recr...ua/index.shtml

One of our favorite things to do is drive up the Alsea River about 10 miles or so from Waldport.
Very visual.
Walk the outdoor sections around the Aquarium.
I'm a big 3 Capes loop fan too. Netarts Bay etc.
This is where 101 cuts inland and is not so filled with people.
Don't forget the Rose Festival is happening too.
http://www.rosefestival.org/

More photo stops: Haceta Head Lighthouse, the beach below it, and the roadside viewpoint a half-mile or so south of it. And Cape Perpetua, all south of Yachats. Newport, north of Yachats, is a good place to have a camera along too, and the kids will enjoy the wharf area, where you can have a meal at the original Mo's.

Best photo tip: a wide-angle lens, especially for the morning on Cannon Beach.

As mms wrote, you might bump into minimum stay requirements at Stephanie Inn and SurfSand, especially on a weekend. So, if you have trouble, report back. Failing all else, you could probably get a room in the motel where my wife, daughter and friends stayed a few weeks ago. Nothing fancy, but it had two bedrooms, and a murphy bed in the living room. Great location too.

Oh yes, Heceta Head is defintely on the top of my list. Plus- I should be receiving my new fisheye lens via UPS any minute-

I made a one-night reservation online at SurfSand without any problem... but now, I'm conflicted. I can't decide whether to take the romantic night alone and drive back and forth from Portland twice, OR, to drive everyone there on Sunday, stay with the family, and leave from there on Monday morning for Yachats. What to do, what to do? The weenie roast and bonfire on Sunday night sounds like fun, but so does a romatic night with no kids! hmmmm... I'm so indecisive...

I guess I'll be the grinch today. Mo's has quite a reputation, but we were not impressed. If you like deepfried seafood, have at it...or maybe we just made bad choices.

We like Girtle's Seafood in Seaside.

The little hut on the right side south of the Newport Bay Bridge is a much better experience. Le Serre in Yachats-nice. Blue whale-OK. The little place in Depoe Bay with the Binoculars chained to the tables so you can look out to sea.
Rosanna's in Oceanside on the 3 capes route.

http://www.sandlakecountryinn.com/act.html

I agree with you both, bbqboy and Bobmrg, especially about Roseanna's in Oceanside. But I don't know if kkraczek will make it to that part of the coast. I mentioned the original Mo's because kimamom had recommended the Seaside(?) location in her post.

Probably won't make it to Seaside- but thanks anyway!

Well, They Should! For gawking and taking pictures, it's the best, mainly because everyone else on the whole route is doing the same thing.
Plus you've got the Pelican Pub Brewery at Pacific City. Much better chowder than Mo's.
http://www.pelicanbrewery.com/

I guess I'm a vote for taking the kids and staying. You'll get over there and wish you'd brought 'em.
You can roam about a hundred miles a day and come back to home base still full of energy. Any more and it's just driving.

That's a great idea bgbay- maybe I should start a poll! Either way, the kids will be coming to Cannon Beach, I just can't decide whether to take two trips to the coast (one without kids, one with) or just one big trip.

BTW, what kind of chowder are we talking about? I'm from S. Florida, so I'm pretty picky about my chowder.

oops, meant bgboy. Sorry!

Mo's is best known for its New England style clam chowder, what most of us mean when we say "chowder". If you're willing to try some variations, order the chowder at Gower St. Bistro in Cannon Beach. It's served with clams in their shells. Maybe the best chowder of any kind I've had anywhere was also at Gower St: corn and chili with shrimp in a milk/cream base. Yum!