Traveling with 3 kids, 9, 12 & 14 yrs old. We will be staying at Cathlamet for a few days. I'm assuming Cannon Beach is the closest that might have tidepools. We have never seen a tidepool and wondering if its worth the trip? Is there a particular time of the day they are better? We aren't real interested in shopping, rollerblading, biking, or regular beach stuff, just tidepooling. Then heading North to St Helen/Rainier. Thanks

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach when the tide is out has some pretty good tidepools as I recall. You'd have to check tidetables to find out when low tide is on any given day. I would think it that would be a worthwhile day trip from Cathlamet. You could also see some of the Lewis & Clark historical sites like Fort Clatsop on your way to and from Cannon Beach. Also there are couple of lighthouses on the WA side of the mouth of the Columbia that the kids might enjoy seeing (plus I think the interpretive center there with its Lewis & Clark history and shipwreck history is pretty cool).

Don't know if you're going anywhere on the Olympic Peninsula but Ruby Beach there had great tidepools and beautiful scenery when we were there in June.

I posted this on your other thread as well.

Just in case your schedule changes a bit, here are the low tide times for a few days.

8/26--11:58am
8/27--12:59pm
8/28--2:12pm

The other low tides are in the middle of the night, so figured those were not real applicable, lol!

Enjoy!

Deception Pass State Park is terrific. You could do that as a day trip from Seattle.

Hi there! On the Long Beach peninsula, Fort Canby State Park near Ilwaco features a two-mile hike to tidepools at Beard's Hollow. I have more info for you about the Cannon Beach, OR area and will post under that heading! ***kim***

Hi kimamom.... Very interesting about Long Beach. We are staying in Cathlamet which is only about 45 minutes to Long Beach vs 1 1/2 hours to Cannon. Do you think the 2 mile hike to Beards Hollow for tidepools is a good subsitute for Cannon to save the drive time. We are making a day trip. If its not - I might have to change my itinerary alittle bit. Thanks

If you compare the extra 45 minute drive to Cannon Beach to the time it takes to hike two miles, you probably don't save much by going to Long Beach.

That you're planning a whole day-trip for this has me wondering about your expectations for tide-pooling. It's fun and interesting, sure, but I wouldn't guess it would hold your kids' interest much beyond an hour or two, if even that. That being the case, I would definitely choose Cannon Beach for the variety of sights/activities nearby.

Your right - it dumb to plan a whole day around 2 hours of tidepooling.
Any comments on my final itinerary

Wed Arr PDX 11am - overnight Hood River
Thur river raft and drive to Cathlamet
for 2 nts at a friends (about 2 hrs
driving or give up rafting and go via
Ape Cave or Cannon beach (adds 2 hrs
but don't mind if the kids would
enjoy)
Fri - Fish to Columbia
Sat - head to St. Helen and overnight
in Ashford
Sunday - Rainier and head to Seattle
Mon/Tues - in Seattle
Wed- head home

I'm not trying to be counterproductive here, but I don't see much in this itinerary for your kids. Any reason not to still do the tide-pool thing, but add a few hours so your kids can play on the beach, fly a kite, skim-board, or rent a three-wheeled beach cycle? Cannon Beach is not like the Jersey Shore. Once you see it, I would bet you won't want to leave.

My friend (which has never been to Cannon Beach) and you advising the kids would tire from tidepooling in an hour or so kinda put a damper on my toughts. Now saying Cannon isn't like our Eastern US beaches (can't imagine what would make it so different) I'm stongly thinking to put it back in my itinerary, but then I only have 1 full day in Seattle, however I'm not to into cities. I owe ya one after this!

Beachbum is right about spending more time at Cannon Beach. The kids will love the 3 wheeled bikes! There are several places that rent them in town, but we always go with "Mike's" which is on the main drag on the south end, right near the Surfsand Resort (which is a great place to stay). The bikes are $10 for 90 minutes.

If you decide on Cannon Beach, take your kids to Bruce's Candy Kitchen! Great salt water taffy and homemade fudge. They also might enjoy a meal at Mo's. It's located right on the beach and has some great clam chowder. Pretty good salmon, too and fun atmosphere for kids! ***kim***

Cannon Beach should get it's own thread.

In the same vicinity as Ape Cave there is a place where lava encircled trees and the trees burned out leaving perfect tubes with imprints of the bark in the rock walls. You can climb down one of the larger tubes. It's fascinating and a hit with kids.