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Oregon Beaches...
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Favorite Beaches...
By far our most favorite Beaches along the Oregon Coast are: Seaside, Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, Newport and Fort Stevens. Granted there are countless others that we truly like but overall these beach areas have more than accommodated our needs for: adventure, play, relaxation, exploration and just fun!
With 362 miles of Oregon coastline, you're sure to find just the right Oregon Beaches to accommodate your pleasures. The Oregon Coast, and beach discovery process never gets old. The Oregon Beaches also provide variety. Along the coastline you'll experience Evergreen Forests, Rugged Cliffs, Mounting Sand Dunes, Wide-Open Sandy Beaches and Picturesque Scenery. It's the perfect place to visit any time of the year.
Seaside is the first of Oregon's seashore resort towns, a very popular Beach, loaded with fun activities and a wonderful beach. Our kids are notorious for saying, "Boring" if they don't like a place or activity. Seaside is an exciting time for our kids, so if you're planning on a family adventure, definitely check out Seaside.
Cannon Beach is a short drive from Seaside, yet the area is completely different. You won't experience the resort type atmosphere but more solitude. This is also home to the annual International Kite Festival.
Lincoln City has some 7.5 miles of sandy beaches. This is a favorite for strolling and playing in the sand.
Newport is the newest and greatest resort towns to hit the Oregon Coast. There's good sandy beaches and lot's of exploration to be done around Newport.
Fort Stevens has lots of hiking and exploring along its beach. We like the historical presence in this area. You'll learn lots about Lewis & Clark
Beach Activities...
The most popular activity our Kids like is, being on the beach! And why not? Afterall, we came to the beach. Like any Kid, they will amuse themselves for hours playing in the sand and water. (Be careful with everyone while near the water...do not under estimate the power of the ocean.) Be sure to bring along the beach toys!
USE CAUTION IN THE SUN
If you have older Kids, what will they do? Most likely they will enjoy shopping, sun bathing and playing in the surf.
Here's a little side note on sun bathing...perhaps you are already aware but for the benefit of others who are not aware we'll fill everyone in. Sun bathing at the Oregon Beach or anywhere, can be dangerous. The potential for skin cancer is real.
Use sunscreen. Doctors recommend using a sunscreen with at least a SPF of 15. Every two hours reapply the sunscreen and every time after exposure to water. Even if the sunscreen says waterproof, still re-apply it.
You want to get the sunscreen that is broad spectrum. This has the ability to block out both the ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays. Not all sunscreens have this ability.
In addition to wearing sunscreen, wear a wide brim hat. This protects your ears and the back of your neck.
While at the beach, bring a beach umbrella BUT there is a WARNING when using an umbrella. The dangerous Ultra Violet Light can still penetrate the umbrella. Just use caution.
Don't be fooled with clothing too. The suns penetrating ultra violet rays can go through some clothing. Be wise in your exposure time.
Along with your beach attire, make sure you bring along your sun glasses. There's more behind the scenes than just appearance with sun glasses...your health is in great danger if you don't have a pair. Your eyes are subject to the Ultra Violet Rays too. Be cautious.
Kite Flying is always an added touch to engage in at nearly any of The Oregon Beaches. Simply pack the kite in the car, it can provide hours of fun for just about anyone.
Whale Watching, if you haven't participated in this event you'll want to give it a try. It's really quite simple. A few years ago as we drove from Seaside to Cannon Beach we saw several people gathered at a view point overlooking the Pacific Ocean. We stopped thinking they must have found something very interesting. It was just my wife and I, we peered out into the Pacific wondering what was so exciting...had a ship run aground?...a storm approaching?...just what are all of these people looking at? They were looking through binoculars and writing notes. And of course we didn't bother to ask for awhile...just leaving everything to our imagination.
Finally, after several minutes of squinting out into the Pacific we decided to ask, "What are you looking at?" "Whales", someone responded. That was our first glimpse of Whale Watching, even though we did not see a single one.
There are more than 20,000 Gray Whales that migrate past the Oregon Coast, along the Oregon Beaches, in their 12,000 mile migration trip. Volunteers scatter themselves at some 30 locations along the coast watching for the gray whales.
The volunteers are from a group, "Whale Watching Spoken Here" and are willing to answer questions and aid in spotting the whales. Just remember, when you come across a group of people looking out into the Pacific, ask them questions...they are there to offer assistance.
When you visit the Oregon Beaches, bring along a pair of binoculars. Squinting to see a whale just doesn't do it.
Guided Kayaking Tour...In Newport, Oregon, the Oregon State Parks has offered kayaking tours beginning July 1st through September. You'll get a 2-hour guided kayaking tour on Beaver Creek. The cost as of this posting is $10 and it includes everything. Great opportunity...
The tour begins at Ona Beach State Park, eight miles south of Newport. You will explore the Beaver Creek estuary where you'll likely find eagles, herons, kingfisher and otters. You'll need a reservation, call 800-551-6949. You are going to the Oregon Beaches anyway, make this a stop...it's worth it!
Enjoy the Oregon Beaches...we sure do!
Craig & Maria Dahl - The Travel Experts
Senior Editors
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