LauraStenicky

Hi all..

I am planning on driving from Cannon Beach to Bandon October 12 - 17. I am a hobby photographer. Any recomendations? Sunset places? Road pull offs? Day trip excursion this time of year? Tide pools? Any ideas?

I am staying 1 nite in Cannon Beach, 2 nights in Newport and 2 nights in Bandon.

Thanks in advance for your help

Laura

HowardR

Position yourself at the high point at the northern tip of Cannon Beach. and you can capture a wonderful shot of the beach.
I can't pinpoint other exact spots, but you'll see some great photo ops as drive along the coast! I know I did!

beachbum

I think Howard is talking about Ecola State Park as the high point just north of Cannon Beach. And he's right; it's a nice spot for photographs in several directions. Take the drive into Indian Beach too. I also like Haystack Rock at sunrise, best done with a wide-angle lens.

There are a number of lighthouses along your route. Haceta Head, north of Florence, is the most photographed, usually from the roadside pull off 1/2 mile south. But Cape Meares, Yaquina Head and Bay, Cape Arago, and Coquille River are possibilities too.

You'll lose count of roadside pull offs, and likely won't be disappointed with the views at any of them. If you don't mind a short hike, I'd suggest the one out Cascade Head, six miles north of Lincoln City. The view south from the head is one of my favorites on the coast. Pick up the trail at Cascade Head Ranch.

Have fun, and may the weather gods be with you.

HowardR

beachbum is absolutely right about it being Ecola State Park. The view from the high point I mentioned includes Haystack Rock in the distant right in the scene.
beachbum is also right in saying, "You'll lose count of the roadsie pulloffs, and likely won't be disappointed with the views at any of them."hat's a perfect description.

LauraStenicky

Thanks! I am getting so excited about my trip!

Please pray to the weather gods for me.... LOL beachbum!

bbqboy

From Coos Bay, head out to Charleston and down to Bandon on the old road.
I really love the 3 Capes route also. It's subtle but satisfying.
Take the time to explore Yachats.

Gardyloo

Go down to the beach at Heceta Head in addition to getting the standard shot of the lighthouse from the highway. Some great angles and depending on tides, some good beach/tidepool shots too.

Pay attention to the wonderful '30s bridges over the various estuaries - at Newport, Florence, Coos Bay...

kimamom

Where did you photograph? It was gorgeous here in Seaside today, I enjoyed photographing the waves down by Ave U, very pretty. Would love to hear about your trip! ***kim***

Scarlett

I hear the Seaside/Cannon Beach area is getting a big storm today..I hope someone posts photos of that!

Fodorite018

From the local news, it sounds like a great opportunity for photos of a good storm! They said this morning to expect 30 foot seas, 80 mile an hour gusts, and some flooding.

beachbum

I suppose just about any place is "gorgeous" when compared to Fresno, but I hope you had something over your camera to protect it from the rain, kimamom.

sunbum1944

Stop at Devils Elbow State Park (Gardyloo mentioned this in her post)
It is my favorite beach on the coast, you can get good shots of the the lighthouse and Inn keepers house
There is a trail that takes you up to the lighthouse and great overlooks of the ocean crashing below.

At the lighthouse you will see a trail map that goes behind the lighthouse .
If you follow all the way it takes you to a beach only accessible by hiking in

I think you could get some good shots along the trail- and some different views of the light house.

Also there is a historic bridge at Devils Elbow beach .

I think you could spend a day there.

Other possibilities are Cape Perpetua-
you can drive your car to the top for panoramic views of the Oregon coast.

Close to Florence is the South Jetty-
you can get pics of the sand dunes and sea grass-
and one of the most amazing sunsets I can remember was at the S Jetty - with full moon coming up behind us - and surfers heading down to water for their
"full moon surf"

Have fun!

sunbum1944

Forgot to mention - if you stop in Newport you can usually get pics of the sea lions up close - they lie around on the docks in town

and if you stop at Strawberry Hill there are frequently harbor seals laying around and lots of tide pools where you will see sea urchins and star fish.

LauraStenicky

Im back!

What a wonderful trip!

I did most of these recomendations, thank you all for your input.

The view and sunset from Ecola was great! Got some great shots in there as well as the next morning, low tide at Haystack during the sunrise. Caught a great reflection of the rock in the sand.

I enjoyed the area around Devil's Punch Bowl, the Cape Loop and the area of Newport. And yes, the harbour seals were great fun!

FYI, if you ever get to Newport, there is a wonderful B&B called The Newport Belle. Its an old steam shop based at the marina run by a very welcoming couple, Nancy and Mike. The accomadations were excellent as well as the yummy breakfast. And being on the old ship was a very unique experience. I highly recommend it!

I ended up, after 2 nights in Newport cancelling the beach route and headed back towards Portland to the Columbia River Gourge area. Fantastic, waterfall photographs enhanced with the fall foliage.

Up until then, the weather gods were with me - thanks for your prayers! When it got "yucky" I decided to leave on the 17th and head home.

This was a trip to remember!

Thanks again for your help!

Laura

Oh and P.S. Avoid The Sealions Cave near Florence. What a tourist trap run by what looked like a bad impersonation of the old cast from Saturday Night Live!

beachbum

Nice to see you enjoyed yourself, Laura, in spite of our earlier than usual ugly weather. If you post your photos anywhere, please provide a link. One just can't see too many photos of Haystack.

Love your description of Sea Lion Caves, and completely agree. But some folks seem to like it, if only for the beach kitschy touristy gift shop.

Fodorite018

Sounds like a really nice trip. It is still dumping rain, but next week should be better. I agree, if you are willing to share your pics, we would love to see them.