My husband, teenage son and I are planning to drive from Seattle to the Oregon Coast the first week of April for 3 nights. My husband and I haven't been there for 16 years, and our son has never been.

I'm finding the location selection challenging. When we stayed there before, we stayed once at a bed and breakfast in Cannon Beach and once at the Inn at Otter Crest. Looking at Trip Advisor, the Inn at Otter Crest sounds like it has become pretty tired, but my husband remembers the tidal pools on the beach there.

So my question is, where can we stay on the Oregon Coast, close to tidal pools, in an updated hotel or resort, with at least a couple of above average restaurants nearby? We want to walk the beach and go to sleep with the surf, but we don't want to be too isolated from civilization.

Thanks for your help!

I would try the Ocean Lodge or Surfsand in Cannon Beach. Both are close to Haystack Rock, which has great tidal pools at low tide. And Cannon Beach has some very good restaurants.

Another vote for the Surfsand. We have stayed there numerous times with our family. The location is great in that it is close to Haystack Rock, but also within a short walk to the heart of downtown. The Wayfarer is the restaurant on site, and it is very good, with views out to HR.

Make that three votes for Cannon Beach and SurfSand Resort. I agree also with the Wayfarer, and would add Gower St. Bistro to the list. It's my favorite restaurant in town, though the food at Newman's @ 988 might be more nicely presented.

Besides Haystack Rock, you'll want to check out the tidepools at the south end of Indian Beach in Ecola State Park, just north of town.

And I will close the voting with another for SurfSand

And second Gower Street Bistro as well as Ecola Seafood if you want to put together a picnic ..

The Ocean Lodge is very nice, right next to the Stephanie Inn which has an outstanding restaurant, reservations are essential at Stephanie Inn, make sure they are serving something you like the night you want to dine here. For a casual meal, Mo's is great, pretty views of Haystack Rock also.

Bistro, Wayfarer, Newman's @ 988 and Gower St. Bistro are all great places for meals, you could also drive to Nehalem, they have the Nehalem River Inn which has very good food. If you like Italian food, Taste of Tuscany in Seaside is very, very good! ***kim***

I don't think one needs to drive over 15 miles to Nehalem just to eat. There are so many good options right in Cannon Beach, that to drive elsewhere just doesn't make sense, IMO.

The Stephanie Inn is geared towards couples, not families. The Surfsand is a sister property, and is perfectly suited towards families.

I was just around Newport this weekend and it was amazing. Sunny and warm no breeze.

Now I really like the Silvia Beach Hotel in Newport. Good food and very interesting atmosphere. It is in Newport but away from the main strip on 101 which can look a little touristy.

Drive south almost exactly nine miles from the bridge going out of Newport and there is Seal Rock at low tide you can walk for about three miles along the beach and there are great tide pools and seals(sometimes) that you can check out.

we stayed at schooner's cove when we went - had an oceanfront room with a fireplace which in April (when we went) was really nice. Also walking distance to Haystack.

http://www.schoonerscove.com/

Hades, I just read a discussion about Sylvia Beach over on TripAdvisor.
Did you have a room with a view? Did you think the hotel needed some up-dating?
Thanks

Yes, the Sylvia Beach is unique and interesting, but not really a family kind of place. And as mms says, same is true of Stephanie Inn, which doesn't allow children under 12 staying there. That should paint a picture of what to expect in the restaurant. In three dinners there, I don't recall seeing any parents with kids.

There are plenty of restaurants in Cannon Beach to keep you happy over three nights.

For Cannon Beach, I'd recommend both the Cannon Beach Hotel and the Gower Street Bistro. It's all there in one package!

Thank you for all the recommendations. They really. Now we need to make some reservations!

I made reservations at the Surfsand and appreciate everyone's feedback. Now I'm hoping that the weather isn't too wintry that week! I'll keep a list of the restaurants recommended for our trip. Thanks again.