Hiking and Trekking

Cannon Beach, located on the Oregon coast, is the perfect place for a weekend family getaway. It lies only 80 miles west of Portland and has a variety of activities anyone could enjoy. You can mosey along the nine-mile stretch of sandy beach, watch the sea creatures in the tide pools or capture some Kodak moments by the famous Haystack Rock.

Boasting a population of just over 1,500 residents the town of Cannon Beach is small, but pulls in quite of number of tourists and beach-goers. The arts are an obvious emphasis in this town with some of the best crafts, shopping and galleries on the coast lining the main street. The city is planned for strolling, and many visitors take advantage of this to visit the quaint bookstores, shops and bistros. Chain businesses have been discouraged from building which has helped Cannon Beach keep its earth-toned, rustic look.

Take the time to fly a kite, build a sandcastle or explore the many nooks and crannies of the coastline. Haystack Rock is one of the most famous beach attractions and towers an impressive 235 feet making it the third largest coastal monolith in the world. The area below the rock is referred to as a Marine Garden where sea stars, anemones, crabs, chitons, sea slugs and many other aquatic creatures can be seen in the large tide pools. However, it is best to view this area during low tide, so take the time to pick up a tide table from a local shop.

Haystack Rock is also a vital habitat for a variety of other mammals. Birdwatchers can gaze at the over 2,000 seabirds that nest on the rock each year such as the tufted puffin, pigeon guillemot, black oystercatcher, pelagic cormorant. In addition to birds, colonies of sea lions, seals and whales swim along the shoreline. During the spring months you can spy gray whales making their way to the Alaskan waters which serve as their calving grounds. Early mornings on clear days is the best time to view these creatures spouting their misty plumes over the rolling waves.

For hikers, there are many trails to wander through in the thick conifer forests of Ecola State Park, just a few miles north of Cannon Beach. The park has a viewpoint and picnic area where you can see the whole panorama of Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock and the Coast Range. This spectacular view is one of the most photographed on the Oregon coast. William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition even wrote in his journal about the view from Ecola calling it “…the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in front of a boundless ocean…”

Your family is sure to find something that suits their interests in, or around, this quaint town. If you want to see local culture at its best, then keep in mind the annual gatherings of the Kite Festival in April, Sand Castle Days in June, and the Stormy Weather Festival in November.

Check out these links for hotel ideas:

Cannon Beach Hotels
Portland Hotels

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Looking for a day trip outside of San Francisco? Just on the other side of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge is the north part of Golden Gate Recreational Area. This group of parks includes the area north of the Golden Gate and the southern end in San Mateo County, as well as Alcatraz, and Point Lobos. This park at the opening of the San Francisco Bay is rich in wildlife, things to do and history.

The Point Bonita Lighthouse is a nice half mile hike along the rocky cliff coastline. Along the walk, you can see seals lounging on the rocks below in the sun. Getting to the Lighthouse is not for the claustrophobic or people with a fear of heights -you must go through a tunnel and across an old suspension bridge, where only two people can be on it at once because of the cold blasting winds from the coast. Once on the other side however, the lighthouse offers spectacular views of the ocean, as well as providing information on its role in the safety of ships entering the dangerous San Francisco Bay, where over one hundred and forty ships have sank on the rocky coastline.

Throughout the park, you can explore the World War Two defense structures, such as base-end stations, that were built into the side of the hills overlooking the ocean. These structures were made as lookouts and for defense in case of an invasion. With the invention of radar and new airplanes, they were abandoned before completion. In addition to the concrete structures, you can visit Fort Cronkhite, one of the World War II military bases that is still standing today.
Other things to do include whale watching off the coast, hiking or driving through the gorgeous Muir Woods Redwood forest.

The main reason to come and explore the park is for the spectacular views of the bay, the ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge and the City. The highest point from which to view the area is Hawk Hill. Named for the abundant hawks, kites, eagles, falcons, vultures, osprey and harriers that reside on the hill, this hill overlooks the golden gate bridge and the rest of the bay. The view is spectacular on a clear day in every direction, inspiring the photographer in you to take hundreds of pictures of the skyline and nature that surrounds.

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