Lodging in Cannon Beach will have a two night minimum. Not sure about Seaside. Astoria might be an option, the Holiday Inn Express gets praise from regular posters here.

Yachats is worth looking into, a very pretty little town. It's about a half hour north of the dunes - suggest the Overleaf Lodge & Spa, very nice according to others who have stayed there. Or perhaps Sea Quest B&B. Florence is not on the ocean.

Bandon would be preferable to Coos Bay, IMO. Much, much smaller and nicer, much more character, and on the ocean. Check the TA reviews:

tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g51758-Bandon_Oregon-…

Click also on B&B's/Inns, sometimes hotels are there.

Galice? for Rogue trip? are you floating Rogue? I am not sure what boat trips head down Rogue from Galice.

Sure agree dune buggy ride for kids that age is very good,

be sure to take some time from Depoe Bay to Florence. maybe a night along way. Newport best coast town in my view for beaches, bay front aquarium and other things

We have a rafting trip with Echo river rafting company that starts in Galice and ends somewhere close to the coast I think. Please tell me this is ok! They were so nice on the phone and the paperwork and website appear like it is a white water trip. We have an eight yr old so I think it is class 3 rapids not too much... but hopefully not a canoe trip!!!

You mentioned Depoe bay and Newport. . that is what I am currently looking to book I found a place called Inn at Arch Rock in Depoe Bay. It looked nice. would that be a good town to stay for 2 nights with things to drive to such as the dunes. Our second 2 nights we thought of then staying in Bandon to see the lowere half of the coast.As far as towns go... Yachats vs. Depoe bay? Thanks for your input!

Biggest difference between Depoe Bay snd Yachats is Yahcats has a sandy beach on the north end of town. Nothing other than very small pocket beaches at Depoe Bay.

As for Galice, I have rafted with the Galice Resort many times and it's a great adventure. Nothing larger than class 3 rapids, but very beautiful stretch of river.

Sounds like a great time, you will love the Ashland Plaza Suites, we have stayed there over a dozen times. Let me know if you would like dining recs for Ashland.

For lodging in Seaside, check out the Holiday Inn Express there or the Comfort Suites, they are just a short walk to the beach. If you want to stay on the prom with oceanfront lodging, there is the Ebb Tide, Hi-Tide, Inn of the Four Winds and a Best Western there. The Tides by the Sea is a cool property, down by Ave U where our family likes to surf. The have small cottages for lodging or condominium-stle lodging that has gorgeous views of the ocean, we stayed in an upstairs corner unit that was clean and comfortable with a large living room, fireplace and nicely stocked kitchen.

In Astoria, the Holiday Inn Express is right on the river, there is also a Comfort Suites in Astoria and several quaint Bed and Breakfast places for lodging. Rose River Inn, Clementines, the Rosebriar Hotel are a few nice ones. Have a nice trip! :)

Do you know if those places you're recommending in Seaside have minimum stay requirements, syrahgirl? I'd think most of them do. So, you might have to settle for Astoria, which makes the next day's drive that much longer... Just for grins, check out Ecola Creek Lodge in Cannon Beach. Little motel kind of place, just a couple minutes walk to either the beach or downtown.

The other difference between Depoe Bay and Yachats is that Depoe Bay has a more touristy-commercial feel. Nice little town though. That said, it's hard to imagine a more spectacular setting than that of the previously mentioned Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, which is also better located for dune buggy rides.

I agree with others that Bandon would be preferable to Coos Bay, but in either case, I'd consider cutting the stay to just one night, and adding an extra to either your central coast stop or Cannon Beach (which negates the minimum stay problem).

Did they ask the ages of your boys when you booked the whitewater trip? If no, I'd assume everything is okay. We've been on some where the minimum age allowed was 12.

Dunes not good day trip from Depoe Bay, better from Yachats because of distance. After you do dunes you will wonder why am i going back that far north to head for Bandon next day

Arch Cape in depoe Bay looks good to me.

we have time share at Whale Pointe so stay there. and we did do day trip to Dunes for buggy ride but we were not heading south to Bandon later. agree Bandon really only needs one night

Newport good day trip from Depoe Bay

after reading all your posts, I think it sounds good to spend 2 days in cannon beach area and spend one night inBandon instead.

Syrahgirl, I would love dining suggestions in Ashland as you offered. Any in Depoe Bay or other coastal towns not to be missed??? Big question, huh! I pulled something up while surfing on a restaurant called the Sea Hag. Looked like great seafood. I think it was in Depoe Bay.

My Boys are 8 and 14. I was told the limit is 7. They are very excited about the adventure. Class three rapids will probably be enough for them being first timers!

In Cannon Beach look at the Surfsand Resort. It is great for families and very nice. Right on the beach, views out to Haystack Rock, and an easy walk to the heart of downtown.

As for the Sea Hag in Depoe Bay, we actually just had lunch there this week. We all had the chowder in a bowl, which was good. No complaints on that, but I was annoyed at the owner and it appeared other people were annoyed as well.

Sea Hag. gracie must have had an off day

you still plan two days on central coast?? Newport/depoe Bay