Oregon Coast and High Desert Itinerary
Stop 1: Cannon Beach
Stop 2: Florence
Stop 3: Bend
Stop 4: Portland
Oregon Trip!
12 Days on the Oregon Coast and High Desert with Kids — Our Complete Itinerary
When I started planning our Oregon trip, I had no idea how much this state would deliver. Twelve days, four stops, two kids (ages 7 and 4), and more memories than I can count. Here's exactly what we did, what we loved, and what I'd do differently next time.
The Route
We’re on the way!
We flew nonstop from Dallas into Portland, rented an SUV, and worked our way down the coast before cutting east to Bend and finishing in Portland. Four stops total: Cannon Beach, Florence, Bend, and Portland.
Stop 1: Cannon Beach (2 nights — wish we'd had 3)
Cannon Beach was magic from the moment we arrived. We stopped at the Tillamook Creamery on the way in — non-negotiable with kids — and checked into the Hallmark Resort with oceanfront views.
Short Sand Beach
The highlight of our entire trip happened here. We headed down a trail and stumbled onto a beautiful, wide open beach where we spent the whole afternoon. Oliver built bridges out of driftwood. Charlotte hunted for rocks. I sat in the sun and read my book while taking in some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. No agenda, no schedule — just our family on an Oregon beach. That afternoon alone was worth the whole trip.
Haystack Rock
The next morning we were at Haystack Rock at low tide with puffin interpreters from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program — the kids were completely captivated. We also hiked the Cape Falcon Trail at Oswald West State Park to Short Sand Beach, had a special dinner at the Wayfarer Restaurant, and walked Hemlock Street in the evening.
Low Tide at Haystack Rock
Honest take: Two nights wasn't enough. We'd do three minimum next time. Cannon Beach deserves more time than we gave it.
Stop 2: Florence (5 nights — our home base)
Florence was our longest stop and the right call with young kids. Having five nights in one place meant we could actually settle in, do laundry, and not feel rushed. We stayed in a Vacasa beach house at Heceta Beach — four minutes from the water with a balcony and ocean views. We also had tons of Anna’s Humming birds right off the balcony! We had so much fun sitting out looking at the view and spotting some hummingbirds!
Florence Sand Dunes
Highlights:
Sea Lion Caves — the only wild sea cave in America where Steller sea lions live year-round. Worth it.
Thor's Well at Cape Perpetua — one of the most dramatic natural features on the Oregon Coast. Go at high tide. It was so cool to see and the kids loved watching the waves crash into the jagged coastline!
Darlingtonia Botanical Wayside — free, weird, wonderful. Pitcher plants that eat insects. Kids were obsessed.
Newport Oregon Coast Aquarium — I wasn't sure about this one, but it completely won me over. Getting to see puffins up close was genuinely special. Don't skip it.
Sandland Adventures Dune Buggy Tour — the kids' favorite activity of the whole trip. Book in advance.
Hobbit Trail — short, magical hike through old growth forest. Perfect for little legs.
Thor’s Well
Stop 3: Bend (3 nights)
Driving from Florence to Bend on Highway 126 is stunning — we stopped at Sahalie Falls, drove through Sisters for lunch at High Camp Taphouse (Nepalese food that was genuinely one of the best meals of the trip), and arrived in Bend in the early evening.
Highlights:
Lava River Cave — book timed entry in advance. A 2,500-foot lava tube you walk through with lanterns. Absolutely worth it.
Tumalo Falls — easy hike, spectacular payoff.
Smith Rock State Park — our full day here was one of the best days of the trip. Pack lunch and plan to stay.
High Desert Museum — underrated. Great for kids and genuinely interesting for adults too.
Smith Rock State Park
Tumalo Falls
We stayed at The Newberry Hotel downtown — walkable to everything, indoor pool the kids loved.
Stop 4: Portland (1 night)
We hit Portland on a rainy day and honestly just let it be a rest day. Powell's Books in the evening was the right call — both kids found books, we found coffee, and it felt like the perfect way to end the trip. Dinner at Farmhouse Kitchen Thai next door was excellent.
We stayed at the Kimpton Riverplace on the waterfront — beautiful hotel, great location for a final night.
What We'd Do Differently, or go back to see because we missed it:
Cannon Beach needs at least 3 nights — we felt rushed with 2
Add a Honeyman Lake day in Florence — we never made it and regret it
Crater Lake deserves its own trip — don't try to add it as a quick stop
Check weather before committing to Multnomah Falls — we almost skipped it due to rain but it cleared up last minute
Willamette Valley wine country — needs its own dedicated trip entirely
Would We Do It Again?
In a heartbeat. Oregon delivered in every way. The coast is wild and beautiful, the high desert is unlike anything in Texas, and the pace was exactly right for our family. If you're thinking about this trip — do it.
