Family Vacation in Cannon Beach for 4 days in late July. Any thoughts on what we must see/do during our stay. What restaurants should we visit in the area? Our 1st time visiting the area!

Thanks

Make sure you go to Mo's for dinner--their crabcakes are incredible.

Pig n Pancake for breakfast, have a fire and make smores with a good view of Haystack Rock, go to Ecola State Park and hike around for awhile, visit the art galleries downtown, go to the Local Scoop for fabulous ice cream and soup (I prefer theirs over Mo's), and there is an incredible bakery downtown that serves the best eclairs I have ever had.

We were there two summers ago. Do not miss Snug Harbor. You have picked a wonderful destination. Have a great time!

One of the coolest things I found on Cannon Beach was that the sand is so compacted that you could ride your bike along the shore. It was great fun. Good for walking too, as your calves don't get half the workout they would in that soft sand I'm used to walking on!!

The thing I like best about Cannon Beach is the feeling that you're getting your money's worth without any "must see/do's". If the weather's nice, go buy a kite from Once Upon a Breeze, stake your place in the sand, and watch the day go by. If you're up for more activity, rent a three-wheel beach bike (from the shop a few blocks south of the town center), or a skim board, and have at it.

If the weather's not so nice, do the gallery/shopping thing (visit the glass blower across the street from the place that rents the 3-wheelers), visit Ecola State Park, or for more high energy, take the kids to the carnival that is Seaside, a few miles up the coast. But my favorite bad weather activity is to stake my place in the lounge chair with the picture window view of Haystack Rock and watch the day go by. This is the Oregon coast, and (as my son would say) it's all good......

There are a number of decent family restaurants. Unfortunately I can't remember names; I just know where they are. Look around; you'll find them. If they look interesting/good, they usually will be. One of my family's favorites is the seafood market and restaurant at the end of the block east from the log home looking restaurant in town center. Except for garlic cheese bread, I really don't understand the attraction to Mo's. If you want to leave your kids in the room for the evening, go to dinner at the Stephanie Inn (reservations required).

Have fun, you'll love Cannon Beach.

p.s. to jaye - where is the referred to Snug Harbor?

The thing I like best about Cannon Beach is the feeling that you're getting your money's worth without any "must see/do's". If the weather's nice, go buy a kite from Once Upon a Breeze, stake your place in the sand, and watch the day go by. If you're up for more activity, rent a three-wheel beach bike (from the shop a few blocks south of the town center), or a skim board, and have at it.

If the weather's not so nice, do the gallery/shopping thing (visit the glass blower across the street from the place that rents the 3-wheelers), visit Ecola State Park, or for more high energy, take the kids to the carnival that is Seaside, a few miles up the coast. But my favorite bad weather activity is to stake my place in the lounge chair with the picture window view of Haystack Rock and watch the day go by. This is the Oregon coast, and (as my son would say) it's all good......

There are a number of decent family restaurants. Unfortunately I can't remember names; I just know where they are. Look around; you'll find them. If they look interesting/good, they usually will be. One of my family's favorites is the seafood market and restaurant at the end of the block east from the log home looking restaurant in town center. Except for garlic cheese bread, I really don't understand the attraction to Mo's. If you want to leave your kids in the room for the evening, go to dinner at the Stephanie Inn (reservations required).

Have fun, you'll love Cannon Beach.

p.s. to jaye - where is the referred to Snug Harbor?

sorry for the double post; having trouble posting messages to the forum today!!!

Beachbum, I'm glad you asked about Snug Harbor because my dear husband informed me that what I should have said was Hug Point!! So all, forget Snug Harbor and don't miss Hug Point. We were told about it by a guy that lives near Cannon Beach and it was unforgettable, except when having a "senior moment". I also can't recommend the Lonely Planet's Pacific Northwest Guidebook enough. It was an invaluable resource as we traveled WA, OR and British Columbia.

Aahhh...senior moments...I can relate jaye!!

When I was a teenager (long ago), we spent a week or two each summer at a house a mile down the beach from Hug Point. My folks have a photo of a very early vintage automobile trying to negotiate the stagecoach track carved into the rock around the point. The stagecoach track alone makes Hug Point worth a stop, but the beach, with nearby caves for kids to explore, is pretty neat too.

If you want a slightly more upscale dining experience than a lot of the fish 'n chips shops/pizza parlors make a reservation at the Bistro in Cannon Beach.

We always drive through CB on our way to our home in Astoria. It's been a family tradition to stop at Mo's. We've done this for eighteen years! I agree, the food isn't that fantastic, but just being right on the ocean and the views of Haystack Rock make it a worthwhie experience.

We were there in August with three teens and we can feed them all well here and it's won't break the bank. The lines were backed up way outside the entrance of the restaurant.

We order the family-style clam chowder and I enjoy their peppered salmon served with sides of garlic mashed potatoes and bay shrimp salads. Their homemade cobblers are also very good.

I have not been to the Mo's in CB without a wait so obviously they do a good business at this location. I am very much looking forward to trying The Bistro that has been discussed on this board and the Stephanie Inn for a fine dining experience. ***kim***