We’re interested in renting a home on or near the beach in Oregon for a few weeks this summer. We have kids ages 5, 6, and 12 and are looking for a sandy beach, relaxed quiet community with great fishing, biking and playgrounds. What areas do you suggest? – Lauri
In order to enjoy boating and easy docking, you’re going to have to find a place that is not oceanfront, but more like a bay, inland lake or river. I’m picturing a few places like that on the Nehalem River, and on the Nestucca River, both in Tillamook County. I just did a quick search and found a few on Mercer Lake, near Florence. But, I don’t know of any small, non-touristy communities that are also good for biking and playgrounds — those just don’t seem to go together. But I’ll bet the kids will think the beach is a pretty good playground.
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Linda Corey-Woodward, Southern Oregon resident says…
A great place on the south central coast is Gold Beach. You can find the perfect vacation rental at Sebastian Shores, at the south end of town. The Rogue River offers great salmon and steelhead fishing and the fun jet boats will take the whole family inland to Agness for lunch and seeing the Wild & Scenic section. You can see river otters, eagles, deer and other wildlife from the quiet jet boat. There is the iconic Art Deco bridge at Gold Beach, the many beaches for agate and glass float hunting, and hiking trails at Cape Sebastion, a whale-watching headland. You can also explore other headlands along this stretch of coast. Just north of Gold Beach is Port Orford with its quaint little village, historic sites, Battle Rock, good surfing, and glass blowing studios. Don’t miss the Gold Beach Bookstore, which is a coffee house and bakery, bookstore, and art gallery. It sometimes has concerts and other events in its upstairs event room. There are shops in town selling kites and regular kid-friendly events and activities in the Gold Beach area.
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About Ask Oregon Expert Niki Price
Niki Price is the editor and co-owner of Oregon Coast Today, a weekly newspaper covering arts, entertainment and the environment on the central Oregon coast. She roams the shores of the Oregon coast, covering everything from pelican proliferation to proffered profiteroles, with two underage editorial assistants often in tow.
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