To kick our summer off Zac and I were able to take a couples trip to Cannon Beach (about an hour and a half from the Portland airport) and it did not disappoint! 

This was our first time leaving our little Chihuahua Twix – and after just a week and a half with him it was hard to say goodbye! 

As soon as we got back from this trip we began our kitchen remodel (which we have been brainstorming/solidifying designs for etc for months) with the remodel taking up the large majority of my spare time my site has been a bit neglected but it feels good to be back on here writing about our last adventure.

Sometimes a rainy weekend spoils your fun but on this part of the coast even with a bit of rain our extended weekend was one for the books here are a few tips if you are looking to go to cannon beach. 

1 Book for Location

Our Airbnb was within 10 min of Haystack Rock and I highly recommend staying close to it as the best restaurants are near there. Also dress for location even if the forecast says sun bring a light raincoat.

2 Go Crabbing

By far a highlight of the trip – you are able to go out in boats without guides and catch crab. Bring clothes you don’t plan to wear the rest of the trip if you don’t have a washer and dryer. Here is where we went crabbing – the boats hold 5 people and you can do 2 hours for $100 a boat, best part then they cook the crabs you catch for you!

*tip leave your nets in for at least 15 min* you’ll understand that tip if you actually go! 

3 Bring some beach games

Just because the water is a bit cool doesn’t mean it’s not still nice to spend time on the beach. Bring games to play, pick up campfire supplies, and visit a few of the different beaches. 

4 Take a Hike

The views are amazing! We did the Cape Falcon Trail – which was a nice way to start as day and easy enough for the full family (Twix could have done it if we’d brought him on our trip)! It’s views at the end are awesome! 

5 Rent a Car

if you’re planning on taking a trip up here don’t think about Uber of Lyft – they don’t service this area and you’ll want a car anyways! Its pretty typical of me to suggest this (even when we go to islands) because then you are not limited but here it is not an option!

5 Say Cheese!

Tillamook a factory is just an hour away if you’re a big cheese fan this is a do not miss! You can see how they make the cheese, ge4t free samples and eat some of their own recipes. The food is amazing (but skip the cheese fries). 

7 budget for some pricy food

Unless your big I’m cooking while on a trip don’t plan on some cheap meals. There aren’t any chain restaurants up there! 

A few places we really enjoyed:

• Lazy Susan Cafe – go for breakfast it is delicious we all loved our meals. Get a scone to go but ordered it at the beginning of your meal – they normally sell out!
• Mi Corazon Mexican Cuisine – give me all the tacos. This place was great.
• Mo’s – its cheaper than most places has a great view and some good clam chowder!
• Pizza A’ Fetta – The only place we went that I wouldn’t recommend they took a long time and were super over priced for some ok pizza.
• Baked Alaska – this is in Astoria (which has a cool tower you can throw wooden planes off) but I probably wouldn’t go back to (however a lot of people recommended the town to us) while we were there it was a ghost town! (maybe because we went on a Sunday). If you do go get their cheese fondue!! It’s amazing.

8 Skip Portland

The little quaint towns, beautiful scenery, and adventures on the coast are way better than Portland! Don’t plan a bunch of time spent back in the city – just enjoy the outdoors! 

9 Just Go! 

This was Zac and I’s first times to the coast (we had both been to Portland separately before) but this little spot is heaven and one of the most beautiful places I have seen and for us it’s just a two hour flight away! If you go let me know what places you loved because I am sure we will be going back!