kkraczek...

Hello and I bow to the superior knowledge of our Portland/Oregon locals when it comes to the beaches.
I only know Cannon Beach and I do love it there!
We are from the East Coast, most recently a year in Fl, Mo's clam chowder is much like the thick creamy chowder we have there..My best lunch there was last Sept when it was so windy and so chilly and that chowder warmed me up while we sat at the window and watched the waves crashing...not fine dining but we enjoyed it.
I follow all suggestions of mms, beachbum and bbqboy-they live here, they have experience here and they have not steered me wrong yet.

[stop reading if you hate self promotion] lol
The Portland Chinese Gardens and Japanese Gardens are both using my photographs for their advertising and brochures. Wherever you go in Portland and out at the beaches, you just cannot stop taking photos! Haystack Rock is amazing but so is the coastline, the trees, you will have a great time!!

***kimamom***
On Monday, you said on Fodors "We have a home in Astoria that we purchased about fifteen years ago
Does that mean you also own a home in Seaside?
I told you that you confuse me and how easy that is..LOL
I am impressed that you are able to get up to Oregon from California so often!

Speaking of children...
The temptation to leave the children with your MIL and go alone would be strong..it can be very romantic at the beach But- the trip back and forth from town is 90 min each way- at least. You will lose so much time going back and forth, I would stay at the SurfSand and take the kids.
Now as to bored kids and photographers...
we dealt with that early on with ours by giving them both, their own cameras. So we are all busy doing the same thing and bonding like crazy over shared hobbies/passions/work.

I hope the weather is half as nice as it is right now for you

Thanks Scarlett, I had already forgotten that my girls have their own cameras- duh! My son is 14, so he's moody no matter what we do.

I'm thinking we'll probably just take the kids. Maybe we can steal away somewhere closer to Portland one night.

As far as the weather, well, I can't complain about the temps, but it's been raining since yesterday- so I hope that the weather there is actually better! (Not very often that one would wish for better weather than what we have here, huh? LOL)

Thanks again Scarlett, I'm looking forward to your beautiful state!

I live in Portland and have for most of my 41 years.

I am always surprised at how many people rave about Cannon beach but I guess it is all in what you are looking for. There is A LOT of shopping there.

I highly recommend a stop at the aquarium in Newport. They have an amazing display of jellyfish and they are fascinating to watch! it is just north of Yachats so it would be an easy place to stop for a couple of hours.

Someone mentioned the Pelican Brewery and I second that place wholeheartedly!

It is located in Cape Kiwanda, between Lincoln City and Pacific City. There is a HUGE dune that the kids (and yourselves) can climb up. To the north of the dune there are often hang gliders. At low tide there are a few tide pools. This would also be a great place to take some photos! There are a few haystack Rocks along the Oregon Coast and one is here at Cape Kiwanda.

Another great place if you like to hike is Cascade Head, north of Lincoln City about 5 miles or so. In my opinion this is one of the most scenic hikes along the Oregon Coast with incredible views at the top. It is easy enough for the kids as well. Great photo ops! You can view a few of my photos from our last hike there at http://www.windjammer.smugmug.com/ga...502/1/65410841

Enjoy!

eurotraveller,
I think the charm of Cannon Beach combined with the nice walk on the beach with Haystack Rock and the homes in the area that remind of of other beaches in my past..all combine to make me like it so much.
Of course, shopping is not a minus in my book either ~lol

A couple nice shots there, eurotraveler. The view from the hillside of Cascade Head truly is one of the best on the coast. It's probably about the same distance north from Yachats as the dunes are south, kkraczek. But because of traffic and congestion, it will take longer.

Wonderful photos!

Wow- great photos! That's what I'm talkin about! (you'll never see hills like that on Florida's beaches! hahaha)

Thanks for the tips... I've heard Cascade Head mentioned several times- I can see why now!

I'll also be sure to stop by the Pelican Brewery- sounds yummy!

I'm not really going to Cannon Beach for the shopping or touristy things, I just want to see the different coastline, the haystacks, and the tidepools. Mostly I just want to experience the different things that each place I travel to has to offer. (I keep sounding like I'm complaining about Florida- but I'm really not- I just love seeing new and different things! Must be the visual photographer in me )

Thanks again everyone, and keep the suggestions coming- only 13 more days until we're there!

It really is a lovely change from the East Coast beaches. You will love it.

Oh Scarlett, don't get me wrong! I think Cannon Beach is very picturesque but much too crowded and touristy for my taste. There are sooo many nice little beaches off the beaten path with very few people.

if you stop in at the Pelican I highly recommend the assiago crusted veggie sandwich! I have dreams about it!

Cheers!

KK(and others), I'm trying to say the same thing as eurotraveler, I think. You can really divide the Oregon Coast into 3 sections, getting more and more wild and beautiful as you head South.
When ever I'm up around Seaside/Cannon Beach, all I ever seem to want to do is get away from the crowds/outlet malls, etc.
That's why I love The 3 Capes thing, and also why I prefer the coast south of Newport. That's all the further most folks go; after that it's like you've got the whole thing to yourselves(Sometimes).

Thanks eurotraveler for the veggie sandwich recommendation- my 12 year old is a vegetarian so she'll be very happy!

I hope that we avoid the big crowds due to our early June arrival. When does the school year end in your neck of the woods? Here we start early (August 8th this year!) but we're out by the end of May.

And to bbqboy (sorry I spelled it wrong- twice!) I'm glad to know that we'll have more to look forward to on our drive south to Yachats! I bought a book on Photographing the Oregon Coast, and I look forward to many stops along the way. (poor kids! <eg>) I'm not a crowd person either.

Looks like I'm going to have to print this thread and bring it with me!