Where is the best Oregon coast spot for young kids

[Silverfall]

Since your kids are young, then quite frankly their entertainment is the coast and sand...

Lincoln City has a beach where the D "river" runs through it. The ocean itself is cold but the kids love playing in the river water and sand. Totally fun. My kids (7 and 9) play there all day and have since they were your kids' age. No problems with boredom. Bring some old trucks, pails, shovels, boogie boards...you are good to go for hours.

Devil's Lake is 120' feet up the D River and is a nice retreat if it gets too windy for the kids on the coast.

My kids loved the Aquarium at that age and thought the tide pool was pretty cool. You can touch the sea anenome and starfish. We also seem to catch them feeding the fish and they think it's cool to see the divers. I think it is worth the price, personally. I wouldn't call it old by any means.

So, I vote for the Lincoln City/Newport area for younger kids. I think Seaside and Cannon Beach are better for older kids than can ride the beach trikes. Now those are fun. I don't think the 3 year old could pedal those on the beach though.

It's been experience that kids don't need to be entertained. They are satisfied with what nature offers them. It's we adults that get bored building sand castles and such.

[haggardhouseelf]

We've yurt-camped at Devil's Lake. It's a campground within a city - which is kind of odd, but nice if you want to save money on accomodations, and have easy access to the beach! It's on the eastside of hwy 101, but there is a path that takes you under 101 straight to the beach, so you don't have to worry about crossing 101 with kids, watching out for cars, and all of that.

Devil's Lake is not one of the more scenic or even relaxing campsites (because it's in a city), but it can be a good place to stay if your main priorities are saving money and being a short walking distance from the coast.

If you're interested in staying at a state park - Beachside might be a good option. It's right on the coast, on the westside of 101, with very short walking trails down to the coast. You have views of the ocean from many of the campsites. Your kids would love all the little bunnies that you see when you're there, too! There are some places along the coast where there are just tons and tons of cute little bunnies hopping around, and Beachside is one of them! (Sunset Bay and the area along Cape Arago hwy is another... that's among our top five favorite areas of the coast...) It's also not a very big campground, which feels nice. The beach at Beachside is very flat and sandy. We found sand dollars there recently. There are yurts there as well. Oregon State Parks and Recreation: Rates Beachside isn't too far from the Oregon Coast Aquarium, either... about 15 - 20 minutes up hwy 101.

I've heard Beverly Beach and South Beach are nice, too, but we haven't stayed at those yet. They are also not far from Newport.

Any of these campgrounds are going to be busy and crowded during the summer months, when school is out and more families are out on holiday - especially on weekends. You might want to try to schedule your trip either in late spring or early fall if you want to miss some of the crowds... and also plan your stay during the week, as the weekends are the most busy. And remember that just because it's a beach, it's still Oregon - it can be very chilly... so bring warm comfy clothes and sturdy shoes. Our coast isn't a flip-flop, bikini-wearing kind of coast. We wear Bogs boots or hiking boots, jeans, and layers (t-shirt, light sweater or fleece jacket, a weather-resistant outer shell...) when we're there - even in August. We do bring flip-flops with us but those we only wear back at the campsite when it's time for hot showers! I just have this thing about bare feet in public campground showers... so we wear flip flops...

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Wellness

Interested in bring my children to somewhere on the Oregon coast, but not sure what area is best suited for them so that would be too bored.
I am looking into Seaside and Cannon Beach, but not finding much attraction for the kids.
Anyone have any idea's?
Thank you.

Well,

Our three young children (2,4,7) had a blast at Cannon Beach and Seaside. We stayed at this really cool hotel which had wild bunnies on the grounds:
cannonbeachlodge. Prices like anywhere vary based on room size. But it was well worth it IMO.

As was mentioned before the beach itself, sandcastles, running, collecting seashells, etc.. really is the best entertainment for the little ones. We drove the whole coast over a two week period and found that to be the case. Seaside does have some nice touristy things for families including games and a merry-go-round. It was a nice little detour. Here is the beach right near the hotel:





We went to the aquarium and the kids liked it. I wouldn't say it is run down. But I wouldn't make it a primary destination unless it is on the way.

We *really* like Shore Acres in Coos Bay.





Then there are all the lighthouses with tours. Cape Blanco was a favorite:





Then there are tidepools and all kinds of sealife to keep them interested for hours/days. Seal Rock tidepools are really nice for example:





The West Coast Game Park in Bandon is fun. Your children get to walk amoung the animals and pet them:





Actually Bandon to Brookings was our favorite part for its variety of scenery and sheer beauty. We rented a house on the beach in Bandon with sunsets to die for.





Whatever place you decide upon you really can't go wrong along the OR coast.

Derek

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Well,

Our three young children (2,4,7) had a blast at Cannon Beach and Seaside. We stayed at this really cool hotel which had wild bunnies on the grounds:
cannonbeachlodge. Prices like anywhere vary based on room size. But it was well worth it IMO.

As was mentioned before the beach itself, sandcastles, running, collecting s
Derek

I'm thinking back over the years to when I was younger. I liked the beaches where I could hop from rock to rock, or lift them and watch the crabs beneath. Several spots have that.

As an adult, I like the Newport Aquarium.

But I'd have to say that my most fun overall has been the north coast from Nehalem Bay up to Gearhart - especially Cannon Beach area and Seaside. Really enjoyed the bumper cars in Seaside. Not sure which hours they operate. And that carousel is indoors in the middle of town - just ask. There are a lot of gift shops. There is an artist David Poole, well worth the $20 or so, in the same building.

There is a drive-on beach at Gearhart where you can drive for several miles - park anywhere and let the kids dig in the sand for hours with shovels. Down south at Nehalem Bay State Park one year, we spent a couple of hours making the turtles in the sand. It's about 6 feet across.

[tijlover]

I'm a 59 year old kid who will never grow up. I appreciate all the info.