I did mean Surfsand.

A two bedroom suite might be best for us too--considering the group I am with.
So,I need to consider that too.
I also have another question, when we drive into Portland on Sunday--what route should we take--we eventually need to ge back to Tacoma by the evening.

When you drive into Portland from... the coast? Quickest route is hwy 26, which takes about 90 minutes from Cannon Beach. But, do you need to go through Portland? If not, you might head north through Astoria, across the bridge, and do some sightseeing at Cape Disappointment State Park before heading inland to Tacoma.

BTW, I agree with mms regarding SurfSand (and most other stuff too :-" ). It's been my family's favorite beach hotel for years.

The fastest route is via Astoria, Highway 30, and Longview. In Longview keep your eyes peeled for confusing directions to I-5.

HTTY

I forgot to mention, we time travel to be at Centralia for lunch. We enjoy eating at the Olympic Club--downtown at 112 North Tower Avenue. The interior of the place is as it has been for sixty, seventy years or more. Check out the cut glass and ask your male companion to describe the men's room to you.

WE've never been to Portland so that's why I thought we we go there--and then a little east to see some of the waterfall, etc....does that sound right?
Tell me more about Surfside--I'm going to do some calling today.

Okay, but figuring 2 - 2.5 hours from Portland to Tacoma, you won't be leaving yourselves much time to see the city and the Gorge. The falls are along the Old Columbia River Highway, about 30 minutes east of Portland.

SurfSide or SurfSand, ;-) this is the place mms and I are talking about: http://www.surfsand.com/. On the beach, a 5-minute walk from town, and a couple nice restaurants nearby. One of them, Gower St. Bistro, serves the best chowder on the coast IMO.

Definitely yes to the waterfalls in the Gorge area, it would be nice if you could see Multnomah, take the short walk up the paved path to the bridge for some awesome views and this is a great place to take pictures! ***kim***

If prices or availability make you look farther down the "road" from Cannon Beach, you might look at Arch Cape which is 10 miles South .. on 101.
We stayed at the Inn@Arch Cape www.innatarchcape.com last fall and I have to say that I really wish we could get back there before our move .
Every room has a huge fireplace, big comfortable beds and tiny kitchens..you walk about half a block to the ocean..
Othewise, I agree with the locals, SurfSand is great, and convenient to everything.
And I agree , Gower Street Bistro for chowder

Thanks for all your help--I wasn't able to get the kind of room I wanted at Schooner's Cove, and the price of the kind of room I need/want is pretty expensive at Surfside--so I think it'll probably be Oceanlodge--although I still think it might be worth it to give up space to be right in town--so really not sure.
The restaurants sound great! I'm getting excited--I hear it looks like spring in Tacoma!
Any more advice to help me decide is appreciated...any recommendations for lunch in Portland on Sunday? Thanks.

Tsunami was a fun and differrnt place..don't know if open for lunch.

What kind of lunch are you interested in?
Portland has sooo many good restaurants..
I can give you lists but will wait til I have an idea of your taste/budget

I will do it now, I have lists ( places we like) that I picked some names out for you:
All serve lunch/brunch on Sundays:
bluehour on NW13th & Everett
Mothers Bistro on SW Stark & 2nd
Everett St Bistro NW Everett & 12th
Daily Cafe on NW Kearny
Piazza Italia NW Hoyt & 12th
and last but not least, I love this place,
Fenouil..NW 11th between Johnson & Lovejoy.

In Portland, I'm looking for a place that has good but not necessarily "gourmet" type food in a fun setting. I've got my 81 year old mother and 25 year old son with--what a combination! We will travel east then to see some of the waterfalls before heading back to Tacoma that day..so we don't have a lot of time either.

We always enjoy a meal at Pazzo--a casual but nice downtown Italian restaurant. (The gnocchi in a meat ragout is one treat we usually go for.)

Pazzo sounds good--maybe I can find a menu. Thanks.

Pazzo is the Hotel Vintage restaurant, probably find their site/menu by looking at the hotel site.
I live here in Portland and have to say that Pazzo was nice a couple of years ago but ever since then they have gone downhill in flavor and we just quit going there after a really awful meal a couple of months ago.

You might want to look at my list again, only one of the places I mentioned is "gourmet" and Mama Mia and Mothers Bistro will make everyone in the family happy..or at least it does in mine

Scarlett--We must be thinking alike...we are headed to Mama Mia's tonight!

Ahh, we took our son for dinner at Mama Mia this past Jan and he was very happy .. living in Japan limits his quality of "NY" Italian food

We love Schooner's Cove, sorry they can't accommodate you but they are often booked up (returnees, I'm sure). Such easy access to the beach and right downtown. Also right downtown, the chowder was good at Fireside and steak great at The Driftwood. Loved the Pig-N-Pancake and Lazy Susan for breakfast.