Portland and Seattle vacation
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Jan 26th, 2005, 12:09 PM
#42
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OK> I am back...sorry it took me so long to check on all your replies! Thank you for all the great advice and comments. Now I am completely confused on which one to visit: Cannon Beach or Seaside! I live in CA, about an hour from the beach, so I want my kids to experience things unique to the Pacific Northwest, not things they can do here. And, yes, we do plan on staying in Seattle a few nights, too, so any ideas for Seattle are also appreciated. As for the comments on the Hallmark Resort and Shilo Inn, do you know if they offer 2 bedroom suites? I will have to look them up on the internet. Also, what exactly is this "rock" in Cannon Beach that everyone is referring to? What is the best way to get from the Cannon Beach area up to Seattle? Should we drive straight through, or is there another area worth staying at overnight on the way there? Thank you SO much for all the help. I am going to check out the websites and info you all gave me and check back here in a few days! Claire
Jan 26th, 2005, 12:29 PM
#43
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Claire--I would suggest Cannon Beach. It is Haystack Rock that is there and the tidepools around it are fascinating. The rock itself is huge and is a landmark. The Surfsand Resort, which is were we stay when we go over, does have two bedroom suites. It is just down from Haystack a bit, within very short walking distance and has nice views of it.
In Seattle our children enjoyed the Pacific Science Center. We went there many times and never tired of it. A ferry ride is something the kids enjoy as well.
Between Portland and Seattle you could stop at Mt. St. Helens. It has been acting up for a while, so you may not get to be right up close, but it is still an amazing sight and the visitors centers are very interesting. I think it is the Coldwater center that has quite a bit of hands on stuff for the kids.
In Seattle our children enjoyed the Pacific Science Center. We went there many times and never tired of it. A ferry ride is something the kids enjoy as well.
Between Portland and Seattle you could stop at Mt. St. Helens. It has been acting up for a while, so you may not get to be right up close, but it is still an amazing sight and the visitors centers are very interesting. I think it is the Coldwater center that has quite a bit of hands on stuff for the kids.
Jan 26th, 2005, 12:41 PM
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Tidepools are fascinating, but be very cautious of the tides around the rock. Last summer my family was snorkeling around the base of the rock and DH was swept away by the current, it is swift and very fast. I definitely wouldn't advise a 2,5 & 8 yr. old to go out there wading around. 
BTW, mms weren't you the one who advised a poster to go out to the Gorge in an ice storm that Portland recently had? Too funny!!!
claire, www.cannon-beach.net will show you pictures of Haystack and provide you with more info on Cannon Beach. In Seattle, we like the Edgewater Hotel, right on the water. Many families were staying there and the kids were having a wonderful time. ***kim***
BTW, mms weren't you the one who advised a poster to go out to the Gorge in an ice storm that Portland recently had? Too funny!!!
claire, www.cannon-beach.net will show you pictures of Haystack and provide you with more info on Cannon Beach. In Seattle, we like the Edgewater Hotel, right on the water. Many families were staying there and the kids were having a wonderful time. ***kim***
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:13 PM
#46
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No, kim, it is you who is "too funny". In spite of living, what, 700(?) miles away, you continually represent yourself as the authority on everything Portland and Oregon coast. Some of us have live here for longer than you've been alive.
Next time your pastor preaches a sermon on humility, listen.
Next time your pastor preaches a sermon on humility, listen.
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:28 PM
#47
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http://www.cannonbeach.org/pix/haystack.jpg
I hope that link works!
Claire, that is Haystack Rock. What a sight when you are driving in along the Coast and see that out in the water. When the tide is out, the small pools fill with star fish and little fish and crabs and kids and adults alike wade around and look and catch them. A very charming and pretty place.
They have a kite store that would be fun for the children. We used to do that with our little ones at the beach, go out on the sand and fly kites.
mms, beachbum and orcas all gave me fantastic advise before our first trip to Portland, last September. I think you can trust what they say.
I don't own any rental properties in Cannon Beach so you can figure I am sincere and not hoping to drum up business LOL
I hope that link works!
Claire, that is Haystack Rock. What a sight when you are driving in along the Coast and see that out in the water. When the tide is out, the small pools fill with star fish and little fish and crabs and kids and adults alike wade around and look and catch them. A very charming and pretty place.
They have a kite store that would be fun for the children. We used to do that with our little ones at the beach, go out on the sand and fly kites.
mms, beachbum and orcas all gave me fantastic advise before our first trip to Portland, last September. I think you can trust what they say.
I don't own any rental properties in Cannon Beach so you can figure I am sincere and not hoping to drum up business LOL
Jan 26th, 2005, 01:55 PM
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I think so Patrick! 
claire, a place that I really love that no one has mentioned yet is Oswald West State Park, a bit south of Cannon Beach. You have to hike a bit down a trail, but it is a really fun little walk that even your two your old could do with no problem. It is like walking through a rain forest. There is a small bridge that we like to take pictures by.
Once you get down to the cove, it is a gorgeous little secluded beach. At the entrance of the park there are wheelbarrows where you can use to haul your stuff down with. Bring your camera and take lots of pictures, we have dozens of albums with our kids on the Oregon Coast. We have been traveling the coast several times a year for over twenty years and have a second home in Astoria, OR which I adore. Just over-look all of the hostility here by a few and have a wonderful trip with your family. ***kim***
claire, a place that I really love that no one has mentioned yet is Oswald West State Park, a bit south of Cannon Beach. You have to hike a bit down a trail, but it is a really fun little walk that even your two your old could do with no problem. It is like walking through a rain forest. There is a small bridge that we like to take pictures by.Once you get down to the cove, it is a gorgeous little secluded beach. At the entrance of the park there are wheelbarrows where you can use to haul your stuff down with. Bring your camera and take lots of pictures, we have dozens of albums with our kids on the Oregon Coast. We have been traveling the coast several times a year for over twenty years and have a second home in Astoria, OR which I adore.
Just over-look all of the hostility here by a few and have a wonderful trip with your family. ***kim***
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:05 PM
#52
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claire, if you go to www.oregonstateparks.org you will find a list of parks to view. Oswald West is one of them. I neglected to mention that another favorite of ours is the Fort Stevens State Park.
There is an old shipwreck on the beach called the Peter Iredale that is fun to see. There are also miles of biking trails to ride around the ocean and at times there are horse rides down to the beach. We did this when my daughter was around 8 and she loved it.
This beach is fairly windy so this would be an excellent place for your kids to fly kites. You could easily spend an afternoon here, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy! ***kim***
There is an old shipwreck on the beach called the Peter Iredale that is fun to see. There are also miles of biking trails to ride around the ocean and at times there are horse rides down to the beach. We did this when my daughter was around 8 and she loved it.
This beach is fairly windy so this would be an excellent place for your kids to fly kites. You could easily spend an afternoon here, pack a picnic lunch and enjoy! ***kim***
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:17 PM
#53
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Apologies to Claire, but at least I feel better now!
With the added info, Claire, I agree that Cannon Beach is the better spot. Seaside is more Oregon's not so good version of Venice Beach and/or Santa Monica. As far as activities unique to the PNW, the tidepools suggestion is a good one. And you don't have to do any wading to enjoy it. You might also try clamming or crabbing. Even if you don't get any, the experience is fun. With average highs in the 50's and rain always a possibility, weather is going to be the big "if" for you.
I don't know if there's anything to warrant the longer drive up the Washington coast on 101. I'd go inland at Astoria on Oregon 30, then cross to I-5 on the bridge near Rainier. If the weather's nice, you could add a night on the Oregon coast!
With the added info, Claire, I agree that Cannon Beach is the better spot. Seaside is more Oregon's not so good version of Venice Beach and/or Santa Monica. As far as activities unique to the PNW, the tidepools suggestion is a good one. And you don't have to do any wading to enjoy it. You might also try clamming or crabbing. Even if you don't get any, the experience is fun. With average highs in the 50's and rain always a possibility, weather is going to be the big "if" for you.
I don't know if there's anything to warrant the longer drive up the Washington coast on 101. I'd go inland at Astoria on Oregon 30, then cross to I-5 on the bridge near Rainier. If the weather's nice, you could add a night on the Oregon coast!
Jan 26th, 2005, 02:28 PM
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I am confused Kimamom, in one post you state you have a beach cottage in Seaside and then in your later post you state you have a second home in Astoria.
Is the beach cottage then what you consider your third home? And do you have a fourth home elsewhere in Oregon?
Is the beach cottage then what you consider your third home? And do you have a fourth home elsewhere in Oregon?
