Hi,
We are flying into Portland and flying out of Seattle this April. We will have 6 days/5 nights with our children aged 2, 5, and 8. We need some really good child geared places to go and things to see. What is Cannon Beach like? What should we DEFINITELY do?
Thanks,
Claire

Hi, we were in Cannon Beach for the day in September. It is lovely, a great place to take children, I think.
We were in Portland for 10 days, no children so that I cannot help with but it is a lovely city and easy to get around. There is a zoo,

http://www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Parks/Washington.htm


there are wonderful gardens, there is a streetcar that is easy to get around on as well as their Metro system..

Without a doubt, take the children to the OMSI *museum*

http://www.omsi.edu/

Have a great time, hope I helped some

We spent three days at Cannon Beach last September. It's a beautiful area.

The town is small and everything is within walking distance. The ocean is cold and not suitable for swimming, of course. But it's fun to walk, search for sand dollars, fly a kite, etc.

It could be a fun overnight trip.

Where are you coming from? What sorts of things do you enjoy?

Good advice so far. We live in the Portland area and OMSI, the zoo, Cannon Beach, hiking in the gorge, and Mt. Hood are hits with us and our children.

In the gorge there is Multnomah Falls which is the usual lure, but there are a multitude of great places along there.

Mt. Hood is fun for skiing, but also for just playing in the snow. We are very low on snow right now, but should have much more by the time you visit. The kids may enjoy a day at the beach and a day in the snow.

When we go to Cannon Beach we stay at the Surfsand Resort, which is very family friendly. Although most people think our waters are too cold to swim in, it just depends on how daring you are. Yes, we swim in it

Will you spend any time in Seattle? We lived there also and there are many wonderful things for families there as well.

Mms: We swam in the ocean, too. But we didn't see anyone else in the water! It's nice to know we aren't the only crazy ones!

Kureiff--I will even admit to swimming in it in November, lol! Course we don't use umbrellas in the rain either. Glad you didn't let a little thing like temperatures deter you

Mms: I spent last year in Seattle; I noticed that no one ever uses an umbrella when it rains!

Kureiff--Where are you from? Sounds like you would fit right in here, lol!

I'm from Montana. So you can understand that we're maybe a little immune to cold temperatures!

I can't believe I'm writing this, but I think I'd recommend Seaside over Cannon Beach for your kids. Though Cannon Beach certainly attracts families, the shops there are more geared towards adults, whereas Seaside is loaded with arcades, many including carnival-like activities, and kitschy tourist shops. If the weather keeps you off the beach (almost a guarantee), I'd guess your kids would like Seaside better.

Can't come up with anything more than has already been mentioned for child-geared activities in Portland.

Kureiff--ahhhh...that makes sense, lol!

Beachbum--You realize what can of worms you are opening?

My first thought was actually Seaside but was hesitant to recommend it. We took a bunch of junior high kids there for the day and they absolutely loved it! We did the pedal cars, sand bikes, arcades, aquarium, hat shop, etc.

I definately prefer Cannon Beach, but our junior high kids thought Seaside was "awesome."

Yeah, I know, mms, hence the "I can't believe I'm writing this.." But, in fairness, Seaside does have a lot more off-the-beach activities geared towards kids. Were it not for the pool at Surfsand, my kids would be climbing walls on rainy days in Cannon Beach.

Beachbum--I just had to tease you since we tend to share the same opinions many times

Seaside is only a few minutes from Cannon Beach so you can visit both easily. I think you should chose what you and your spouse would enjoy most. The kids will have fun at either.

Cannon Beach is calmer and more sophisticated than Seaside, with art galleries and nice shops.

Seaside is more of a cotton candy, boardwalk and water taffy kind of place. Teens love it, but I think your kids are too young to care that much about which place they stay in.

Whereever you stay, I'd suggest you consider a hotel that has an indoor swimming pool, as the kids will enjoy hanging out at the pool and meeting other kids there to play with.

We used to take our kids to Cannon Beach when they were quite young and they found plenty to do just running around on the beach, looking at starfish and sea anenomes in the tidepools, picking up shells, jumping through the water, flying kites, and swimming in the hotel pool. Your 8 year old could rent a funcycle (3 wheeled bicycle) along with you or your spouse and go up and down the beach.

We used to stay at the Hallmark Resort in Canon Beach, partly because of its location at Haystack Rock and partly because of the pool. They have an indoor pool and a hot tub in the same area. Importantly, the deck around the pool is wide enough for adults to sit in chairs and read.

Hi beachbum
CMarion has babies..the oldest is 8 so would Seaside still suit?
We never got to go there, we were advised that if we had to choose one, Cannon Beach was the nicer area to spend the afternoon.
I guess I can use this as an excuse to come back asap- we have to see the other beaches

Hi Scarlett,
Between the two, Seaside is clearly more geared towards kids, which is what CMarion is asking about. As an adult(?), Cannon Beach is easily my preference for a variety of reasons: the beauty of the beach and surrounds, restaurants, shopping, and just overall feel. You didn't hear (read) it from me, but given a choice, I wouldn't waste my time in Seaside.

Sorry, honey, I didn't hear what you said

I did love Cannon Beach! It was so cold and windy that day- the end of September, felt great to us coming from hurricane ridden Florida.
We ate in that famous clam chowder restaurant on the beach and watched families and their dogs walk on the sand. If it were not for the tsunami signs, I would consider living there
how is the weather in PDX now? no more ice?

Hi there! Cannon Beach is only ten minutes away from Seaside, so you should have no problem seeing both places.

We have been visiting the coast for over 20 years and now have a beach cottage in Seaside which we love. If you stay in Seaside, I would recommend the Shilo Inn Oceanfront where there is an indoor pool, spa, right on the prom where the kids can bike, roller-blade, etc.

Cannon Beach is nice for tide-pooling and Haystack Rock is gorgeous. Our next investment property will more than likely be in Cannon.

Seaside also has a small aquarium that your kids would enjoy. Have a great trip! DH and his fiance are off to the area for several days for a mini-vacation. Lucky ones! ***kim***

Oh, don't miss the Oregon Zoo in Portland. I was just there in November, it's soooo much fun! ***kim***