Updated November 2008
Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, rates for hotels and resorts on the
Washington and Oregon coasts can be significantly cheaper. Storm
watching is often spectacular. The crowds have disappeared. And even
when the weather is cold and wet, there are fun activities to do with
kids.
Cannon Beach is on the north coast of Oregon, south of Astoria. The
small town is full of charming shops and restaurants. Famous Haystack
rock towers over a long beach of soft white sand, perfect for building
sandcastles.
Cannon Beach has several resorts with kid-pleasing indoor pools,
including Tolovana Inn, the Hallmark Resort and the Surfsand Resort .
The staff at the Surfsand caters to families. They offer a beach
bonfire package with everything you need to make tasty s'mores, plus
the assistance of a staff member to help start your fire. They loan out
complimentary sandcastle tools, beach balls, kites and pool noodles.
And on Saturdays they feature an ice cream social.
For even better rates, stay somewhere without a pool and ocean view.
The Harrison Street Inn is just one block from the beach. The inn
offers spacious suites with kitchens. Each unit also contains books,
board games and a television with a VCR/DVD player.
The Artist Cottage is a particular good choice for families with noisy
little ones. Nestled in the back of the inn away from other guests, the
cottage features warm wood accents, a copper sink in the bathroom and
the exquisite glasswork of the inn's owner, artist Jim Hannen.
You'll be welcome for dinner with the kids at the Surfsand's oceanfront
restaurant, the Wayfarer. The restaurant offers upscale dining in a
family friendly atmosphere with a breathtaking view of the beach. For
the best dinner prices and the warmest welcome for your kids, dine
between 4 and 6 p.m. and ask for the casual dining menu. Don't miss
their dessert tray.
For a more casual atmosphere, try Mo's restaurant next to the Tolovana
Inn for delicious chowder, or Fultano's Pizza in town. Cannon Beach is
home to several bakeries, including Grain & Sand Baking (located midtown at 1064 S. Hemlock St.; 503-436-0120), and
the famous Cannon Beach Bakery in its new location in the Coaster
Village. Kids can enjoy ice cream at Osburn's Ice Creamery (240 N. Hemlock St.; 503-436-2578) or at the
Lazy Susan Grill and Scoop (156 N. Hemlock St.; 503-436-9551), which features an old-fashioned soda
fountain.
For moms in search of some relaxation, have dad take the kids to the
beach and try the Soku Japanese Foot Spa at the Cannon Beach Spa. The
truly rejuvenating experience includes a foot soak, delicious tea and
an amazing foot massage.
Minutes from Cannon Beach, the town of Seaside offers an escape for
families on a rainy day. The Funland Arcade on Broadway has the latest
video games and vintage pinball machines. Seaside Town Center has an
indoor beautiful wooden carousel that little kids love to ride.
Washington's coast offers spectacular beaches in remote locations. La
Push, on the northern Washington coast, is home to the Quileute Tribe
and some of the most scenic beaches on the Olympic Peninsula.
Next to First Beach is the La Push Ocean Park Resort featuring motels,
townhouses and cabins. The cabins vary from new upscale oceanfront
units to the charming and worn variety, including one that is 75 years
old. The wild and beautiful beach offers families excellent
beach-combing and storm-watching opportunities.
Nearby, older children will enjoy the hike down Second Beach trail.
Less than one mile, the trail ends at a beach with beautiful tide
pools, huge driftwood and views of sea stacks.
Large families with dogs treasure Iron Springs Resort at Copalis Beach.
The resort has cottages with fireplaces and views of the ocean, along
with an indoor heated pool. The larger cabins can accommodate up to 11
people, and for a fee the family dog is also welcome.
Several coastal towns offer special holiday events and activities
during the off season. In November, Cannon Beach hosts the Stormy
Weather Arts Festival and in December the entire town is decorated for
Haystack Holidays .
Kathleen F. Miller is a Sammamish-based freelance writer and mother of two.
