There’s something so magical about seeing children experience something new for the very first time. Every child deserves to experience building their first sand castle, or riding their first wave — let us help you find the perfect beach to spend your days, and the perfect home to spend your nights here on the Oregon Coast. Become a kid again yourself, when you visit the best beaches in Oregon for kids.
Sometimes planning vacations that the whole family will enjoy can be challenging, but the Oregon Coast offers so many opportunities for a variety of activities, there will be no challenge here. From plenty of restaurants that can suit everyone’s tastes, to surf shops and lessons for the adventure-seekers, the coast is a suitable destination for all. That’s part of what makes this area so very special.
4 of the Best Beaches in Oregon for Kids
Rockaway Beach
With seven miles of pristine soft sand, Rockaway Beach is the perfect place to unwind. Bring the whole family (including your dog!) and enjoy flying kites (be sure to check out the annual kite festival), beachcombing, whale watching, and sandcastle building. Little ones will also love climbing the pirate ship playscape and visiting the candy store for some salt water taffy. Be sure to book a train ride on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad for a chance to ride behind a historic steam engine and view the beautiful coastline. For a truly memorable experience, head to Kelly’s Brighton Marina on Nehalem Bay and spend the day crabbing and fishing right from the dock, or on one of their rentable boats. After a day exploring, stop by the Pronto Pup, home of the original corn dog. You can’t miss it along the highway at the south end of town!
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach, Oregon, has been a popular family destination for decades. Whether you want to explore the tide pools around the famous Haystack Rock or roast marshmallows over a bonfire, you can easily spend hours with your toes in the sand. At low tide, you can even rent 3-wheeled bikes and cruise along the beach. If you can pull yourself away from the sand, take the time to visit downtown Cannon Beach. You and the kids can stop by City Park for a turn on the tire swing or at the skate park (don’t forget to pack the skateboard). For the young shoppers in your family, browse the shops filled with toys, art, and souvenirs. There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants and even breweries for all to enjoy. Don’t forget to pick up some goodies from Bruce’s Candy Kitchen before you head home!
Manzanita
Grab your shovels, buckets, and kites and enjoy hours of beach fun in Manzanita. The beach here stretches along the coast for 7 miles and features beautiful dunes covered in beach grass that flows with the breeze. Families will love playing hide and seek in the tall beach grass and rolling down the gentle dunes. Two state parks also surround Manzanita: Oswald West and Nehalem Bay. Oswald West offers a variety of hiking trails leading to lookouts with incredible views and a small cove that offers shelter from winds in the summertime. While in Nehalem Bay, you may spot a variety of wildlife alongside breathtaking views of the bay any time of year. Horse enthusiasts can enjoy horseback rides here during the summer months. If you have children and teens who are begging to ride the waves, surfing and boogie-boarding lessons are held at Short Sand Beach in Oswald West State Park, and boards are available to rent locally from Bahama Mama’s on Laneda Ave.
Seaside
Known for being the most kid-friendly beach in the state, Seaside, Oregon, brings back generations of families year after year. Seaside’s Main Street offers a traditional beach boardwalk experience from bumper cars to video arcades, an old-fashioned carousel, sweet shops, and more. It’s also home to the famous Seaside Aquarium. Rent a surrey and pedal along the promenade to the Cove, a popular surfers hangout. After a few hours of exploring the town, head to the sand where you can challenge the kids to a game of volleyball or enjoy the swing sets. Seaside can get very crowded, especially during the summer months, so many families opt to stay in smaller nearby towns and take a day trip to Seaside.
Book Your Stay with Starfish Vacation Rentals
The first step to enjoying the best beaches in Oregon for kids is booking a home with Starfish Vacation Rentals! We have family and kid-approved properties in Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, Manzanita, and Rockaway Beach. Feel free to browse our selection of homes or give us a call at 503-297-4090. We will gladly share our local knowledge of the Oregon Coast and help you find the right beach for your family vacation. And if you just can’t decide, don’t worry! Each of these beaches is a short drive from one another if you would like to experience them all!
Consider renting Blue Starfish for your Oregon Coast getaway! This two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is pet-friendly and features direct access to Cannon Beach right from your own backyard!
Take a look at our full selection and book today! We look forward to having you.