I've read about the Oregon Dunes & renting dune buggies to ride on there. Has anyone done this? Is it fun? I have 3 chilred - 9,11, & 13 & this sounds like something they would enjoy.

Also, any info about Seaside? Again this sounds like a place the kids will enjoy.

We've seen people at Seaside riding the dune buggies, but I have never done it. It looks like fun. Your kids will love Seaside. It is kind of like a little carnival with lots of little shops to eat at and it has a game room with a carousel and a few rides.

Seaside is wonderful! We just spent a week in the area. Where will you be staying? When my kids were young, they loved the Shilo Oceanfront hotel. There is a two mile prom where the kids can ride bikes, walk, a small aquarium, surrey bikes to rent, a lot of beachy type shops, Ter Har's has just been remodeled and it's beautiful.
Also, take them to Astoria to see Fort Clatsop, ride the trolley and the Maritime Museum.

Astoria is only about 20 minutes from Seaside. If you want other recommendations for lodging, let me know!! Cannon Beach is also very nice but Seaside is definitely something the kids will love!! ***kim***

Except for a few small ones around Ft. Stevens, there aren't many dunes near Seaside. The best I know of are just south of Florence, and just north of Coos Bay & North Bend. Dune buggies would be a lot of fun for your kids (and you too), but I recommend hiring a driver for optimum thrills and safety.

As HMC wrote, Seaside is Oregon's answer to Coney Island, with a lot of the local businesses seemingly catering to kids: candy shops, lousy fast food, arcades, rides, beach kitsch, etc. The nice thing is that the beach is huge, so you can escape the carnival atmosphere when you want.

Here's a website for you: www.seasideor.com and it's not all fast food. If you want a nice fine dining experience in Seaside, Kalypso and Ambrosia are very nice. John Nelson moved from CB to Seaside last summer. Lil Bayou for great cajun!

Also, Dooger's is very good for seafood and Norma's was recently mentioned in Coastal Living magazine. The best fish and chips can be found in Astoria at the Ship Inn on Second Street. www.oldoregon.com ***kim***

We did not rent idiviual dune buggies but took the big dune buggy ride (maybe 10-15 passengers) in the dunes south of Florence. Enjoyed it - I couldn't believe they could take such a big buggy straight down some of those big dunes!

About two miles south of Florence you can rent dune buggies. Did this several years ago when the kids were in their teens. It's a blast. They had the honda oddessys, four wheelers with roll cages at that time. The last time we drove thru the area, I noticed they now have three wheelers and also the four wheel ORV type for rent. Not sure of the age restrictions though.

I don;t wish to be wet blanket but plesae be sure yur children are mature enough and large enough if you decide to let them ride a dune buggy themselves. There have been numerous injuries and even deaths of young children (under 16) riding off road vehicles of various types.

(There's a reason children are not allowed to drive cars - they don;t have the maturity, judgement or physical skills to do so safely. Off-road vehicles present many of the same challenges.)

Nice point, NYTraveler. I'm realy glad my kids never asked to do this. I'm neurotic about this kind of stuff. The large dune buggy ride sounds fun, I think I would even enjoy that!

My hubby almost lost his leg in motorcycle competitions as a young adult, when we had our first son he promised me our son would never get on a motorcycle. So far so good at twenty and seventeen! ***kim***

Thanks for all the good info. We don't really have a place in Seaside - I was just going to stop there 1 night & spend the next day there before heading up to Olympia N.P.

On the dune buggy thing - I too am worried about safety. I saw web pictures where they had the normal 4-wheelers & then dune buggies which are much lower (& I think safer) to the ground. I think I'll have to see them to know & find out stuff like how fast they go. Maybe just the group one (assuming that is safe!)

Check out the Shilo Oceanfront, your kids will love it there and they have an indoor pool and jacuzzi, also a pretty decent restaurant. You will be just steps from the beach here! Have fun! ***kim***

Without driver's licenses, I doubt you will be able to rent dune buggies for your kids. If you decide to drive, you'll be tentative enough that your kids won't experience the thrill. Dune buggy rides I've been on were better than anything at Six Flags - Magic Mountain. Besides the larger buggies, they do have smaller ones for 3-4 passengers, plus a hired driver.

I spent all of my summers growing up on the Oregon Coast (Seaside and Cannon Beach), and I cannot imagine there would be any good area to ride dune buggies. I agree with the above posters that you would want to go to the Florence area for that. I also agree with the above poster that no one will rent a dune buggie to you if the driver is under 16.

Besides all of that Seaside is a wonderful place for kids and there are other kinds of bikes and buggies you can rent. They have the really low riding bikes that you can ride on the beach and that would be really fun for your kids!

Don't miss Cannon Beach, it is such a cute little town!

CMW