I'm planning a family trip to the coast in mid August with a 4-year-old and 1-year-old. We're looking at a rental cottage in Gleneden Beach and I'm wondering if that's a good area for little ones. Is Lincoln City too busy? The only real things we require are near parks/playgrounds and quiet streets so my 4-year-old can ride her bike. I know that Newport is fairly close with the aquarium so that would be a good day trip. Also, I know the water is quite cold, but the beach is fine for little ones right? Do they need pants and boots or are shorts and sandals fine? Forgive my ignorance, it's been years since we've visited the area. Any other info on this general area would be appreciated. I've seen other posts on Cannon Beach, etc but I'm interested in further south as well.

Thanks in advance.

I can't stress this enough--dress warmly! It was 103 1-2 weeks ago in Portland, so we hopped in the car and escaped to Lincoln City--the temp on the beach felt like about 59 or 61...the wind didn't help the warmth factor...not that it wasn't fun--it was, but I'm just saying it's not typically tank tops/shorts weather on the Oregon beaches, even in Summer...

Yeah, Lincoln City is the most popular (and my personal favorite) city on the coast--so, by Oregon standards, that makes it touristy/busy, etc...I laugh when people call it that (hectic), though--try Huntington Beach on the PCH or any of the other truly popular American beach towns!...if you're looking for some real quiet, though, Gleneden Beach is great (maybe visit the wonderful Salishan resort while you're in Gleneden Beach?!)--and, like you said, you can always make the short drive to the attractions in Newport and/or Lincoln City!...as far as dress, it might be absolutely warm and lovely on the beach (it was well into the 70s w/no wind when I went 1-2 months ago to Lincoln City), but it may not--I would dress the little tykes in layers, as if it was, I dunno, maybe early to mid October in Portland (or July in San Francisco...have a great time!...my 2 year old loved loved loved the aquarium with the sharks in the Passages of the Deep exhibit--he even saw divers enter, though they weren't w/the sharks (c'mon divers, show some backbone;-)! Cool!

quakerbacker, Your post brought back memories of one of our trips to the Oregon coast when we first moved to Portland. It was very hot in Portland so we went to the beach in shorts. It got misty as we went over the coast range and we began to wonder. When we got out of the car at Indian Beach at Ecola Park, it was 56 degrees and windy. We got back in the car and drove to Canon Beach, where we bought sweats before returning to the beach. I still carry a change of clothes when I go near the water in Seattle, as the temperature drops so quickly once the sun sets.

Yes, the Oregon Coast can be surprisingly mild in the summer - and surprisingly warm in the winter. In fact I've enjoyed more than one warm (maybe 60 degrees), sunny day on the beach in January or February on the coast.

Andrew

We stayed at the Dock of the Bay in the Lincoln City / Taft area and it is perfect for little ones. It is on the Siletz bay which is calmer than the ocean front but the oceanfront is an easy walk. The kids played with sand, carried water in their buckets, and we had fires on the beach. It was ideal.

Do you have AAA? If so, be sure to take advantage of your discount at the aquarium.

Check out the tide pools (during low tides) at the Yaquina lighthouse. They're very interesting.

We stopped at Devil's Punchbowl which is disappointing at low tide. But, if you bring peanuts, the fat little squirrels there will eat them right from your hand. That will either delight or terrify your little one.

Also, the glass blower right near the shops at Salishan (east side of the highway)is interesting. I believe they might be closed on Mondays.

Yeah, good points Andrew. I love the Oregon Coast. My friend and I were in Newport after Thanksgiving one year, and it was 64 sunny degrees with no wind...lovely, and warmer than some Summer days...

That was a good one, Orcas--we felt like buying a sweatshirt, etc., too, but our stubbornness/thrifines/pride wouldn't let us! It was still an awesome time, and the temp away from the beach (in town) was warmer anyway...

We just spent a few days over in Cannon Beach with friends this week. We were both born and raised here, and were chatting about the coast and childhood memories of the weather. She said that it was not until college that she realized that other parts of the US/World had warm beaches. She never understood seeing pictures of people laying in the sun and not shivering, lol!

A year ago Feb., we had an amazing day at the coast that was better than most summer days. So you never know! But yes...definitely plan on it being chilly...and the water will always be cold, but 4 yr olds don't seem to mind it at all

There is a nice article in todays Oregonian ( www.oregonlive.com) about Cannon Beach/Seaside..."chilly, windy, risky..." I love the photos of the kids on the sand, all bundled up in sweatshirts and the surfers in the full body wetsuits..

Thanks for all the help/ideas. My 4-year-old would wear shorts and a t-shirt every day if she could. I'll be sure to pack warmer clothes. We're looking forward to the aqarium too. Is there a big grocery store in Lincoln City or should we stock up before we leave?

Oh yeah, no problem; there's an IGA, a Safeway among others in Lincoln City..also, there's a Freddy's in Newport...mms: you mean you won't freeze if you swim in the ocean in Kaanapali?;-)

For Kids, Neskowin rocks. You've got a ton of sheltered beach where the creek flows through or you can go right out to the waves.
http://static.wiredfool.com/wiredfool/neskowin4-md.jpg

We just visited the aquarium this past Sat. Your kids will love it! Gleneden Beach is very pretty. Try to check out the Salishan Lodge, you may enjoy a spa treatment in their beautiful new spa there. We had a nice lunch there!

Enjoy the coast! ***kim***