Just Go Already | Oregon Coast

If you ever check out our about us page

or our FAQs

you would see that we claim to be the traveling type.

To that, it only makes sense that,

occasionally at least,

I write about that.

So here goes nothing!

Ready. Set. Go!

Where are we going?

The Oregon Coast

I especially love, Cannon Beach, OR

because of Haystack Hill State Park.

Also lots of great surf (and surfer) watching spots in 

Gearhart and Seaside (north)

and south near Manzanita (Oswald State Park West)

to check out the surfers in Smuggler Cove.

IF you don't love crowds,

you should go right on the cusp of the seasons 

(start of summer or end).

Who goes to Oregon Coast (Canon Beach) anyways?

People who love ice cream from Osburns.

Tough guys who wear pink

(aka, not Robert).

Also, wannabe divaettes

with a star on the beach.

Oh and people who LOVE sunset walks on the beach.

And those who love night time bonfires on the beach.

Why are we going to the Oregon Coast (Canon Beach), again?

Did I not mention the gorgeous sunsets over all of the haystacks?

The colors are so vivid and pure.

Often, because it is the coast

there are gorgeous clouds

that add to the sunset too.

And the waves are just so perfect.  

Not too crazy, not too serene.

And if you can get up early enough for a sunrise...

talk about a treat!

What is there to see and do there?

Before we hit Gearhart and Seaside,

we came across a really great Mexican spot on HWY101.

And there are so many lookout spots 

to pull over and take a peek.

If you like dairy products,

you should taste Tillamook Cheese

at the Tillamook Cheese Factory

in Tillamook, OR.

And of course, you have to make time

to watch the surfers.

Even the beginners are fun to watch.

There are all sorts of inns and resorts to stay at

and many of them (on the cusp of the season)

have great specials to get rooms filled.

Well before Groupon and Living Social, 

I found a great deal online

at a place that isn't open anymore

but only cost us $125 per night

for three nights.

That is CHEAP for Cannon Beach

but we had a fireplace

a kitchen

and a great little cute Queen bed

(we are tall, we usually do a King).

During the day, 

you have to check out the sand dunes

and the cliffs 

with the awesome caves below

at Ecola State Park.

Just don't get too close to the edge.

Especially where they have intentionally 

roped off said edges.

About a week after our trip out there,

we heard on the news

about a kid whose family was trying to take a family photo

on the edge

and you know what happened next right?

One of the kids fell off.

He survived.

But he probably never wants to see 

another cliff/dune in his life.

All so that mom could get the cool summer photo.

When will folks learn?

Postcard shots are just as good.

Because that is, of course,

what else we do

everywhere we go.

Play nature photographer.

In this case,

from Ecola State Park's viewpoint.

When is the best time to go?

Honestly, not the middle of summer.

For one, you won't find a place to stay.

I like to go either at the very end of summer

so that you can start to get some of the end of season storms start to roll in (kind of hard to plan for)

or just on the cusp of the seasons.

If you want sunset shots and the requisite sunshine, 

you'll need to obey the usual

Pacific Northwest rules to

wait until after July 4 to plan for sun.

This is definitely a doable weekend trip. 

Especially if you can take an extra day (or two)

and make it a three or four day go.

Don't go on a holiday weekend.

This is the heart of touristville

and you WILL be miserable

waiting in lines

that are really not made

to accommodate thousands.

All said, it is WORTH 

going during the summer

if you like to hike.

And if you like to take photos.

Of neat things.

Like sunsets, surfers, Haystacks and stalkees.

Stop babbling and just show me more photos:

Point and shoot away.

In the middle of the road

or even in a beach side dugout.

Go forth and have beachy fun.