PNWwesterners: What to bring?
 

I am baking here in ATL, and am trying to figure what clothes to bring next week? And shoes too? Should I even bring any warm weather clothes? I was looking at the 10 day forecast, and it is on the cooler side there. I am looking forward to not being hot! We will be there 11 days and will be able to wash at Cannon Beach's Surfsand. Jeans and t shirts with a light jacket?

Right now they say it will be nice here, which means we might be near 70 degrees in the Portland area so around 60 at the coast. However, it is still June and we don't normally get really good weather til later in July. Definitely jeans, and layers for the coast. BTW, the Surfsand is great. Hope you enjoy your time here:)

As mms says, layers. You will probably not wear a tee shirt much. But bring one and a pair of shorts, just to be optimisitc. Most likely, you will be wearing a long shirt, jacket, plus possibly a waterproof layer, as well as jeans. Don't forget something with a hood. Think cool, wet, and possibly windy.

For shoes, you'll be stepping on rocks in the water to look at tidepools, so you will want protective shoes that you can get wet. I'd suggest old sneakers for this, or some sort of water shoe. Sandals that can get wet, like teevas, are great for walking along the sand. Some people just wear sneakers. Some go barefoot. There are some lovely hikes in Ecola St Park nearby. Expect to encounter mud if you hike, so wear your old sneakers for this.

In sum: Shoes - 2 pairs so one can by dry when the other is wet or muddy; teevas or water sandals.

So, those are my thoughts. You will definitely have the chance to cool down!

Thanks mms and Orcas. I am ok with the layers. I usually wear 3/4 sleeves anyhow, so I can just layer. I just have problems with the shoe thing. I need hikers, reg walking shoes, sandals(Privo fishermans)? I have a jacket with a hood. I think I will probably overpack, as usual.

Hey there - Just a quick note - I live in Seattle and my family lives in Atlanta. Whenever they visit - even during a more typical summer here - they freeze. Our nights get cold and we are currently experiencing the coldest June on record. Additionally, Cannon Beach is really breezy. I would recommend a warm fleece and a couple of sweat shirts - t shirts and shorts have not yet been broken out of my closet unfortunately. At my son's soccer game this weekend most parents wore down jacket. :) The sights will be lovely - but the weather is cold - have fun!

I second what Courtney said. Don't forget the hat and gloves. The beach may well be cold and breezy (make that windy.) CJ

The shoes are a pain to pack. The hiking isn't too rugged so you could use sneakers, but expect them to get trashed. Also, on the beach you will need walking shoes that can get somewhat trashed by the sand. So, that is one pair.

Then, you need the pair to walk in town with.

And the water shoes for the rocky areas where there are sea anenomes and all sorts of beautiful creatures.

Yep, I have to say, two pairs of shoes and sandals.

Courtney just told my DH what you said about the weather....ha..I love cool weather(I am well padded), but he minds the cold. He is bringing extra fleece and a knit hat. He has to get the obligatory baseball hat :-) at the Mariners games...we are going to two!! He is a baseball nut. Orcas, I know about the shoe thing... that is my biggest problem. I have very sensitive feet. However, I am crazy for tidal pools and I want to wade in them! Decisions, decisions!!!

You hubby will not be sorry....

The first time we went to the coast, when we lived in Portland, it was 95 degrees in Portland. (We had actually moved there from Atlanta, coincidentally!) So, we get in our car with our shorts and teeshirts on. We drove over the coast range and it was suddenly quite cloudy. Then, we heard on the radio it was 55 degrees at the cost with 20 mph winds! So, we stopped in a store in Canon Beach before going to Ecola St. Pk and bought sweatshirts so we wouldn't freeze. After that, every time we drove to the coast, we brought extra clothes, just in case.

The tidepools are totally great! You'll have a wonderful time! If you have binoculars, you might enjoy birdwatching, as well. There will probably be telescopes set up near haystack rock to get a view of the puffins, or whatever is roosting at the time. Volunteers come out at certain times to explain what you are viewing.

You may enjoy renting funcycles for going down the beach. They are three wheeled bicycles. It takes a few minutes to get the balance and direction, but is easy once you get the hang of it. Also, you may want to buy a kite and fly it at the beach. They are so pretty to watch and a fun thing to do. You don't really lay in the sun reading a book on the Oregon coast!

Orcas--That is hilarious! So true though that many people don't realize how different the weather is. Only once the entire time growing up here did we ever go to the coast and it was hot there. I still remember it vividly because it was so out of the norm

Judyrem--Orcas suggestion of the funcycles is great. There is a place just south of the Surfsand that rents them (and has kites for sale too). It is about a block down from the hotel, on the same side of the road. They charge $10 fo 90 minutes and its a blast.

We always managed with tee shirts ( cotton tops) under cotton sweaters under some sort of wind breaker/ jacket.. sneakers cuz there will be no walks in the water unless you like Blue feet :)
and jeans or capris..
Will you have a car ? then you can bring stuff and leave it in the trunk if you won't need it. . that just in case sweater etc.
Nights get chilly and with the wind from the ocean, that was when I always felt the cold..
So glad you are going to the SurfSand..
Please send photos :)

Funcycles, those aren't the ones that are built for larger people are they?
What are those called ?? arghh.. hate it when I forget names..

Del Sol ? is that it?

No, no... if you're gonna buy a kite, you <i><b>have</b></i> to go to Once Upon a Breeze, my fave shop in Cannon Beach. Well, except maybe for the glass blower across the road from SurfSand.....

We spent a couple nights at SurfSand over Memorial Day weekend last month. It's better now than ever. With the recent refurbishing, they've added a nice little fitness room now too.

Got your meals all planned? If you want to see fireworks, just ask for recommendations! ;-)

If you eat 6-7 meals a day you can build up your own layers of insulation.

Wow thanks a lot people! I think we just might do the funcycles...I am always up for fun! Beachbum, I am glad to hear Surfsand is better than ever! We will be in Cannon Beach for DH's 61 B-day and will do fun things. How about a good restaurant for his B-day dinner? Fireworks, of course!? I am thinking I should dress like we dressed in Alaska LUL...Layers upon layers :-).

Hey Judy,
Kinda depends on what sort of atmosphere you like, but all things considered, Gower St. Bistro is my favorite restaurant in town. It's next door to SurfSand, sharing a building with Cannon Beach Hotel. Has a europeanish bistro feel, serves simple, but well prepared dishes. I particularly love their clam chowder, which is served with clams in shells.

On the other side of SurfSand from Gower St. Bistro you'll find Newman's @ 988, probably the closest to &quot;gourmet&quot; in town. Nice and cozy little place, situated in a small house-converted-to-restaurant. This is where you'd want your husband to take you on your birthday, but I think he'd prefer Gower St.

For something different, check the calendar at EVOO, the small cooking school/kitchen shop at the south end of downtown. We did one of their &quot;Small plates with wine&quot; classes; thoroughly enjoyed it. The chef (instructor/owner) there is probably the best in town, eveen though he generally tries to prepare dishes you can &quot;easily&quot; recreate at home.

Thanks Beachbum, I will put those down on my list. How is the Wayfarer BTW. EVOO sounds great. I saw the Surfsand has a weenie roast on Sundays, have you been? I am SO excited about this PNW trip!!! :-)

Wayfarer is good too, Judy, but I wouldn't pick it for a special occasion. Since it has a partial ocean view, maybe have a glass of wine on their deck before going to dinner elsewhere.

When our kids were younger, we used to spend every Memorial Day weekend at SurfSand, so yes, have done a number of their weenie roasts. They were fun the first couple times, but last month, while my daughter and her friend went to the weenie roast, my wife and I had dinner at Newman's. And everyone was happy!! :-)

Thanks beachbum! Also Scarlett, I will take some pics. Thanks all you PNWesterners, you guys are the best! :-). Should be a great time if the people are like you guys!

Yup, we're really nice here
:-)
Suze in Seattle