Oregon Coast Family Vacation from Boise (Portland, Ontario: housing, rental, hotels)

[thedfly]

We are planning on flying into either Boise or Portland and visiting Portland for a couple of days, Boise for a couple days, and a beach town for a couple days. I looked at some websites and Rockaway Beach kept popping up. But looking on the boards we are seeing Cannon Beach, Seaside, etc. We have 2 young children and are looking for something laid back and relaxing while we're on the coast but with some activities nearby. I thought we'd visit Tillamook and also take a steam engine train ride...but don't know where else to go. Evenings will be dinner and maybe an icecream shoppe? We are looking for affordable, kid-friendly and CLEAN rentals near the beach (2 blocks away at most). Someplace that we feel comfortable at the end of the day.

We have never been to Oregon or Idaho before. I read that there is a children's museum in Portland and am sure that there is plenty to do there. So if anyone can lend some help in identifying a nice coastal town and/or place to stay around $100 per night??


Lastly, if anyone has driven from Portland to Boise, is it scenic or what can I expect?

Thank you!

[tiffela74]

I think youre going to find more to do than you have time for. You and your family might enjoy going to the Oregon Zoo, and taking the train ride up to the Rose Gardens too. Yes, there is the Childrens Museum, and OMSI as well. Both have websites you might check out, see which interests ya'll more.
Oh boy, I have family in Boise and area, and grew up just out of Portland, so I know that Portland/Boise route more than I want. lol Personally, i find most of the Eastern Oregon a bit boring, but again, that was either the end part of a LONG trip for a kid, or the worst part, being that miserable first few hours after leaving grandma and grandpa. You know? Anyhow, going through the Blue Mountains is quite beautiful, and along the gorge is breathtaking. (Im a greenery/trees sorta girl, so thats just my personal preference.) My brother LOVES Eastern Oregon, and thinks the scenery out that way is preferable to here. Each to their own.
If you go to Tillamook, dont forget to hit the cheese factory. The free samples are great. lol and they do have an ice creamery there too w/some divine ice cream!!
I liked Seaside as a teen, its more "touristy" than most our beach towns. Cannon beach has some unique and neat stores, plus some beautiful beaches.
Hummmm, if its rebuilt/open again, my kids always like Fort Clatsop, has some really awesome stuff there for the kids (and grownups!!) You should be able to find it by putting in Lewis and Clark fort, or Lewis and Clark national park in your search engine. Thats up around Astoria.
Theres tons of hotels/motels/rentals both in Portland, and at the beaches. You might look into housing rentals for while youre along the coast. Some can be quite quaint and affordable. but again, youre getting into the summer season, so they will be costing more...
too bad you dont have a month or two....theres so many wonderful places in Oregon to explore.
Tiffany

[seashelly]

While you're along the Coast, don't forget crabbing. Some local businesses rent crab traps for the day and kids love catching the crabs along the docks. (Remember to have them wear life jackets. Also, free fishing weekend June 9 and 10th). Have a fun trip.

[thedfly]

Thanks for the help. When I looked up the Fort, the town of Astoria came up. I might try to stay there instead of Rockaway. It looks cute!

[janb]

Rockaway / Twin Rocks is a good lodging destination, and a fun beach with sand and driftwood, our kids really liked exploring there. We often rented a cottage from 'The Friends' church camp. Camp Macgruder is nice too, but not sure any indivdual sites. There are lots of motels, and I wouldn't worry to much about being right on the beach unless it is a rainy season. It's only a step off 101 anyway. "3 capes rte" near Tillamook is nice, be sure to show the kids "The Octopus Tree" and minature (short) lighthouse adjacent.

Do make it a point to see 'Hug Point' 2 parks south of Cannon Beach, (north of 'Arch Cape') old stage road cut in the rocks, + caves to explore, tide pools on the stage road, with sea stars and such. Great sunset location with changing colors of soils / rocks.

Do save time for an Oregon Trail Museum (Baker City or The Dalles), and Ft Clatsop or even Fort Vancouver (right off I-5 Bridge, 20 min from airport or downtown Portland.) In summer , Washington Park Rose Garden (below Zoo, or at north or east entrance) has free concerts, often for kids (puppetry...) It is a nice break, FREE, and the kids can run an play while you regain sanity. On your way, drop by "Fred Meyer Grocery" on west Burnside and get a $5 chicken, and have a picnic at the Rose Garden.

Give the kids lots of breaks and allow them to run. The Children's museum was always a favorite for a rainy day.

We often drive to Boise 'overnight' to relinqush the View... and I prefer to make tracks while the kids sleep. My last trip was only 5 hrs from PDX, but I didn't stop at McD playland

[Skytripper]

I have spent quite a bit of time on the central and northern Oregon coast and here is some advice for you for a "relaxing" laid-back visit with two kids:
(1). Seaside.....VERY overrated (TOURIST TRAP) and NOT too good of an environment for relaxing or with kids IMO.......LOTS of drunks and druggies around......Astoria.....NOT much fun either and about the same problems as Seaside.
BEST to AVOID these areas!

Heading South on 101......

Cannon Beach, on the other hand, IS nice with a beautiful beach but may be a bit pricey for some......if you go here.....check out Ecola State Park just north of town
Just a bit further down south on 101 is a very small town with a fabulous beach (Manzanita, OR)..... its very relaxing as there's not much else to do other than the beach.

Further South.....

Pacific City..... also small, laid back and mellow with a great beach!

Tillamook has the Cheese Factory (Ice Cream too).....BUT the town has NO ocean view, nothing to look at and smells like cow sh*t really bad!

Further south is the town of Lincoln City......nothing too special here.....bars and restaurants and not such a great beach IMO.

Central Oregon Coast.......

Or......if you can swing it......I would check out Florence, OR and the Oregon Dunes......sweet, high sand dunes, dune buggies, kites, great scenery......you and your kids would probably really enjoy it here!

Just don't bother with Seaside/Astoria......most likely.....you won't be happy with what you find there.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by thedfly

Lastly, if anyone has driven from Portland to Boise, is it scenic or what can I expect?

Thank you!

From Boise to Portland, take Highway 26 west from Ontario, Oregon. When you get to Mitchell, you can either head north to the Columbia and drive down the Gorge, or you can dodge south a bit through the Ochocos, hook up with 26 again at Prineville, and drive into Portland over Mount Hood. Either drive is spectacular. The drive will take you through the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, which is more fun for a kid than any kid's museum. Any road cut along the John Day River will yield buckets of fossils.

[Tudorwoman]

My husband and I went to Cannon Beach for our honeymoon, and then proceeded to go there many times with the children that followed. A must see is OSWALD WEST STATE PARK. You can look it up online and you will find it. Its a beautiful walk along the river to a very unique beach. PERFECT for kids!

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Skytripper

Just don't bother with Seaside/Astoria......most likely.....you won't be happy with what you find there.

I thought the Maritime Museum in Astoria was very well done.

[Topher]

Skytripper..I am planning a trip to Seaside and was told that it actually was a little nicer than Newport, which I had been researching. I'm starting to feel a little overwhelmed along with some trepidation for my trip plans, which are now booked. I realize that everyone has an opinion and yours could be 100 % correct. I figure the only way to find out is to go for oneself. One thing that I do notice is a steady stream of bad weather reports, boredom, complaints of lack of diversity, crime,etc..I'm from the Detroit area, which, belive it or not, is starting to look pretty good (at least I know the city and what to expect,where to go to or not, and so forth)right now. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be saying that! I do get some eye rolls when I mention traveling to Oregon but sincerely hope they are based on rumor and misinformation. Do appreciate your insight which makes up for "my lack of" regarding what looks to be an absolutely gorgeous state as far as "eye" candy is concerned......