Earlier this summer we were able to visit the Oregon Coast for the second time as a family. Jared grew up visiting Oregon with his family but the kids and I have only visited the coast twice.
The Oregon coast is a beautiful place to visit and if you haven’t been you should definitely add it to your bucket list.
Before you visit there are a few things you should know to get the most out of your trip.
Things to Know Before Visiting Oregon’s Coast
These are several things that I would have liked knowing before we visited the Oregon coast for the first time.
Not all of these things are big things, but knowing them before your vacation will help you get the most of your time at the coast without too many surprises (hopefully!).
It’s Beautiful
The Oregon coast is beautiful with tons of pine trees along the coast it’s a very different experience than going to the beach on the east coast.
As you drive the coast there are gorgeous views of the ocean and beaches. Be sure to stop at a pull out area or two to really be able to enjoy the view.
It’s Called the Coast NOT the Beach
I had a friend recently tell me that the beach in Oregon is called the coast not the beach.
You go to the coast to enjoy the views, play in the sand and things like that. You don’t go to the Oregon coast hoping for a warm beach trip like you would in Florida.
The Water is COLD
Speaking of beaches in Florida, the water in Oregon is FREEZING! Don’t expect to spend a lot of time in the water unless it’s a really warm day and you have a wet suit or your a crazy little kid that doesn’t seem to feel the cold.
Be prepared if your kids are like mine they will have fun playing in the water for a little bit and then they will be freezing. So make sure you have towels or blankets and a change of clothes for them.
How to Check the Tides
Before heading to the coast be sure you know how to check the tides. I found the easiest way to check the tides was to google the beach we are planning to visit along with “tide chart”. So, for example, I searched “seaside tide chart” when we were spending time in Seaside, Oregon.
Some tide charts are easier to read and understand than others so if you don’t like one that you find click the next result until you find a chart you like.
Knowing how to check the tides will make it a lot easier for you to enjoy finding tide pools and sand dollars if those are things on your Oregon Coast bucket list.
Related Post: Tips for finding Sand Dollars
Watch Out for Crabs
On both of our trips to the coast we have seen crabs. The first time we visited the Oregon coast as a family my niece was playing in the shallow water and accidentally grabbed a crab and it pinched her hand.
This last trip we saw several crabs in the water, we even saw a seagull enjoy eating a crab for breakfast.
Don’t Forget Jackets
Even if you’re planning on visiting the coast during the summer don’t forget to bring jackets. With the sea breeze it can be cool down near the water, especially if it’s cloudy.
How to Find Sand Dollars and Tide Pools
If you’re wanting to find sand dollars or explore tide pools on your trip to the coast it’s a good idea to get some tips to make your experience easier.
Here are the posts about our experience finding Sand Dollars and Exploring Tide Pools.
Most Beaches are Dog Friendly
All 363 miles of coast in Oregon are open to the public and most of those beaches are pet friendly. Just do a quick search to check the specific beaches you plan to visit to make sure before you get to the beach.
We saw several dogs on the beach in Rockaway Beach, Cannon Beach and Seaside.
You can Have a Fire on the Beach
One of the most common thing we noticed people doing was having a fire on the beach.
Jared’s family even had a beach bonfire. We went down for a few minutes but it was freezing so we didn’t last long.
Enjoy the Small Towns
The Oregon coast is full of fun small towns to explore. Most of the towns have fun little shops and restaurants to wander.
Tillamook is one of our favorite little towns to explore the Tillamook Cheese factory and jerky outlet are must stop places.
Bring Extra Clothes and Towels
I know I mentioned this above but I felt like it deserved it’s own heading. If you have kids this is probably the best advice I could give you.
Even if you’re not planning on getting wet, kids have a hard time sticking to that so it’s better to be prepared then have freezing and grumpy kids.
Protect Yourself From the Sun
Even though it doesn’t feel like you can get burned very easily especially on cloudy days, it can still happens so protect yourself from the sun.
We each had fun explorer hats that we wore along with our Seaside hoodies and we didn’t get burned at all. Not everyone in our group was as lucky.
Enjoy Other Activities (not just the beach)
While the beach is probably the main reason you came to the coast there are other fun things to do too.
Renting bikes and riding around is a lot of fun, exploring the shops and visiting the different creameries and other little destinations is a lot of fun too. And don’t forget about hiking.
Bring Good Water Shoes
I mentioned above our experience with crabs, yeah good water shoes are a must. Not only will they protect your feet if you’re in the water, but they will be needed for going to tide pools.
Don’t Forget the Beach Toys
When playing on the beach with kids especially when it’s a cold beach don’t forget the beach toys.
Our kids had a lot of fun digging in the sand and building sand castles. They also loved flying kites.
These are all great activities so you’re able to enjoy a day on the beach in Oregon without playing in the water.
What do you wish you knew before visiting the Oregon Coast for the first time?
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