5 Best Family-Friendly Places to Visit on the Oregon Coast

Posted on by MTN Talk

There’s something special about a day at the beach. Feeling the mist on your face as the waves crash against the shore. Smelling the salt in the strong ocean breeze. Digging your feet into the coarse tan sand. As a land-locked Idahoan, I get a serious craving to visit the ocean at least once a year. Even if that means driving more than six hours to get there with two feral children in the backseat, it’s well worth the commute. I will gladly listen to “Golden” by K-Pop Demon Hunters on repeat to experience the beauty of the Pacific Ocean. We’ve roamed around Oregon as a family several times, and I’m sure we’ll hit it again.

So if you’re interested in exploring the Oregon coast, I’ve put together five family-friendly spots to hit on your adventure. So pack your swimsuit, prepare to find sand in places it shouldn’t be, and let’s dive right into this quick list.

1. Comb Cannon Beach and Explore the Tide Pools

Cannon Beach. The iconic Oregon Coast destination. We knew it would be a magical day when driving into the cozy coastal city and being greeted by a herd of elk! Apparently, these furry fellas feel safe in town away from the trigger happy hunters outside city limits. So after you manage to find a parking spot (there’s public parking, but show up with time to scout out a space), be sure to beeline it to the beach.

As you make it to the sand, you’ll be greeted by the famous Haystack Rock. Shooting 235 feet up out of the ocean, this sea stack is more iconic than Elton John’s purple sunglasses. According to the all-knowing Google, it’s 17 million years old and formed by ancient volcanic activity. And, what may be coolest of all, this big ol’ rock is home to Tufted Puffins, which you can spot between April and August!

Pathway leading to the beach, framed by wooden fences and trees, with a rocky formation in the distance.
A woman walks on the beach holding hands with a girl and a boy. The woman carries a yellow bucket, and a large rock formation is visible in the background with fog. Other beachgoers are scattered along the shore.
A family of four poses for a selfie at the beach, with a dramatic rocky cliff in the background and clear blue skies.

And if you know me, you know that I am a sucker for a good tide pool. They make me happy. And just in front of Haystack Rock, a cluster of tide pools emerge at low tide. Depending on the time of year, you can even walk up to the base of the rock! Just be sure to check the tide tables here before your visit so you can time out your visit.

These pools are home to giant green anemomes, sea stars, crabs, mussles, limpets, chitons, and nudibrachs. Do I know what all of those are? No, but Google tells me they’re in there. It also tells me that the Cannon Beach tide pools are actually one of seven designated Marine Gardens, which means you can’t take anything from them. Just lookie – no touchie!

2. Visit the Sea Lion Caves

What do the Oregon Sea Lion Caves and a high school men’s locker room have in common? The odor. Luckily, that’s the only similarity they share. In all honesty, this is one of THE coolest spots on our list for families or anyone looking for a memorable oceanic experience. Located just 11 miles from Florence, Oregon, this is the largest sea cave in the United States. By comparison, you could almost fit a full football field in there! Before you visit this super neat spot, check out these quick tips:

  • Winter is the best time to go. That’s when most of the Stellar sea lions are in there. During the summer, they’ll be out sunbathing on the rocky ledges, chasing tail, and raising pups. Be sure to call ahead if you’re in doubt!
  • Wear comfy shoes because there’s a decent amount of stairs. And pack a jacket; the cave can be drafty and you never know when Mother Nature will turn down the thermostat.
  • Admission is around $18 for adults, $17 for seniors, and kids 5-12 are $12. Children four and under are free.
  • The Sea Caves are generally open every day, but have seasonal hours and weather-permitting openings. Give them a ring to be sure!

After paying the admission at the visitor’s center just off Highway 101, you’ll gain access to cliffside outlooks with panoramic views of the Pacific and the massive cave opening below.

View of a rocky cave entrance with turbulent water flowing inside, surrounded by dark stone walls.
A woman and a young girl smile together by a low wall, while a boy stands nearby holding popcorn. In the background, a house and trees are visible on a hillside.
A group of people viewing the ocean through a rocky cave opening, with a child being held by an adult and others capturing the scene with their phones.

3. Walk Through the Bandon Sea Caves

I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan. And I know that my boy Golum would be like a kid in a candy store in these caves. This is just a neat little spot on a beautiful beach on the shores of Bandon, Oregon. Our little crew spent a solid hour exploring these caves during another low tide time when you can actually access them. If you look hard enough, you can spot some tide pools around this area, too. If you’re anywhere in this area on your adventures, I highly recommend checking it out.

Two children exploring tide pools, bending down to touch the water and rocky surface.
Two children exploring a dark cave, one standing while the other crouches near a rocky surface.
A group of seven people posing for a selfie on a rocky beach, with one person holding a crab. The group includes adults and children, all smiling and enjoying their time outdoors.
A couple posing for a selfie on rocky beach terrain with the ocean and a distant rock formation in the background under a clear blue sky.
A man and a young girl smiling for a selfie while standing in a rocky outdoor setting, with sunlight illuminating their faces.

Pro Tip: Never put your back to the ocean. There are these scary things called “Sneaker Waves” that can come up and pull you out to sea. Not a fun time.

4. Family-friendly Things to do in Seaside

There’s a handful of places in this world that make me grin like an idiot. The Northern Lights in Iceland, the Redwoods in California, and Seaside in Oregon. If this isn’t the most family-friendly destination on the West Coast, I don’t know what is. This place has an expansive beach, seaside promenade, aquarium, and carousel mall – all withing walking distance. This City is so dang quaint and likable, our family just keeps coming back.

A child swinging on a swing set at the beach with blue skies and a distant mountain in the background, while another child walks along the sandy shore.
Two young girls play on a sandy beach, one holding a green bag and laughing, while the other smiles playfully. A boy is seen in the background near the water.
A cheerful family selfie featuring a man with a baseball cap, a woman in a beanie, and two children, all smiling. The background shows a foggy outdoor setting with houses and street lamps.
A small child playing in shallow water on a beach during sunset, with soft waves and a colorful sky reflected on the wet sand.

If you’re looking for a beach-comber’s paradise, check out the north end of Seaside Beach. It’s home to sand dollars (bonus points for finding a fully-intact one), small seashells, and other little critters. Oh, and I can’t forget all the halfway decomposed crab carcasses my son insisted on stuffing into a one-gallon bag. After stashing it on the balcony of our hotel room, that sack-o-crabs made our room smell like a fisherman’s market on a hot summer’s day.

Close-up of a crab on wet sand with a person in the background gathering more crabs.
A person holding a round, fuzzy gray sea creature with a textured surface, covered in sand, against a blurry coastal background.
A young boy wearing a gray hoodie stands on a foggy beach, holding a clear plastic bag filled with various shells and ocean items.

5. Discover a Shipwreck in Fort Stevens State Park

Shiver me timbers! You can actually visit a real shipwreck on the Oregon Coast. Located in Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria and Warrenton, Oregon, you’ll find the Peter Iredale Shipwreck – a four-masted British sailing ship that ran ashore in 1906. According to my 25 seconds of intense online research, the ship was traveling to the Columbia River when strong currents coupled with winds pushed it onto the beach. Luckily, all 27 crew members survived. And, to this day, you can see the rusted remains of the ship that’s mostly buried in sand.

Pro Tip: The best time to visit is during low tide when you can walk closer to the wreckage. Additionally, Stevens Park offers hiking, biking, and camping.

A shipwreck on the beach at sunset, with the sun setting over the horizon and casting reflections in the wet sand.

Have you explored the Oregon Coast?

We’re all about keeping the conversation going on MTN Talk. Let us know if you know of a family-friendly spot on the Oregon Coast. Just leave a comment below! And, as always, thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe to our blog near the bottom of this page so you’ll be the first to receive our latest content.

A man with short hair and a baseball cap is carrying a young girl on his shoulders. Both are making exaggerated surprised expressions. In the background, a sandy beach with rocky cliffs and a blue sky can be seen.

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