Budget Getaways on the West Coast
California
Mendocino: This charming coastal town is perfect for a romantic weekend getaway. Explore the rugged coastline, go for walks on the beach, and hike in the nearby state parks.
Oregon
Washington
National Parks
State Parks
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- Silver Falls State Park in Oregon is a must-visit destination for waterfall lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- The park is home to the Trail of Ten Falls, which visits 10 significant waterfalls in 7.2 miles.
- Visitors can camp in the park, hike to the waterfalls, and enjoy the stunning scenery.
- Conifers dominate the park but has many areas with bigleaf and vine maple that provide the best range of color during the fall season.
- The South Falls Day Use Area has spacious lawns, BBQ stands, picnic shelters or tables, a playground, a swimming area, horseshoe pits, a pet off-leash area, and the charming creek Silver Falls is famous for.
- Other waterfalls near Silver Falls State Park include Abiqua Falls and Butte Creek Falls.
- Visitors can also stay at the Silver Falls Lodge, which offers comfortable accommodations and easy access to the park’s attractions.
- Silver Falls State Park is one of the largest state parks in Oregon, boasting 9,200 acres of pristine forest and stunning waterfalls.
- Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding on the park’s more than 35 miles of trails.
- The park is a great destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway and easily accessible from Portland.
Overall, Silver Falls State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a budget-friendly getaway on the West Coast. With its stunning waterfalls, beautiful hiking trails, and comfortable accommodations, the park offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or just looking for a relaxing weekend in the great outdoors, Silver Falls State Park is the perfect destination.
Exploring the Tidepools of Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach, Oregon is a popular destination for beach lovers and nature enthusiasts. One of the most iconic landmarks in Cannon Beach is Haystack Rock, a 235 ft-tall sea stack that is the third-tallest such intertidal structure in the world. However, many visitors may not know that the intertidal area around Haystack Rock is a protected area and one of Oregon’s seven Marine Gardens, indicating its status as a unique and diverse environment.
During low tides, the tidepools around Haystack Rock reveal a fascinating world of marine creatures, including sea stars, anemones, crabs, chitons, limpets, and nudibranchs. In this article, we will explore the tidepools of Cannon Beach and discover other great spots to check out tidepools besides Haystack Rock.
Tidepools at Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock is a popular tourist destination on the Oregon Coast, and its intertidal area is one of the most accessible places in Cannon Beach to check out tidepools. At low tide, you can walk right up to the rock and find colorful sea stars and other fascinating tidepool creatures in its intertidal area.
Puffins can also be observed on Haystack Rock from early spring to mid-summer, offering the most accessible viewing of Tufted Puffins in the Northwest. However, it is important to note that Haystack Rock is a protected area, and climbing above the barnacle line is strictly prohibited.
The Haystack Rock Awareness Program offers regular interpretive programs at the base of Haystack Rock during low tides throughout the year. The program’s knowledgeable interpreters help visitors identify the many creatures that reside there and often have live displays that can be viewed. The program also emphasizes the importance of respecting the intertidal area and the creatures that live there.
Other Great Spots to Check Out Tidepools
While Haystack Rock is a must-see destination for tidepool lovers, plenty of other nearby areas have great tidepools and fewer crowds. Here are some of the best spots to check out tidepools besides Haystack Rock:
Silver Point
During low tides, the rocks at Silver Point offer many of the same experiences as Haystack but with far fewer people. You can get to this great spot by walking south from the Tolovana Wayside, or you can access it by walking north from Arcadia Beach, where conditions and tides can also occasionally lend themselves to a handful of nice tidepools, particularly in spring before sand has built up on beaches.
Indian Beach
A short drive into Ecola State Park at the north end of Cannon Beach leads to more than just the best views on the Oregon Coast. Take the side road to Indian Beach and discover rarely visited tidepools at the south end of this less-populated boulder-strewn landscape.
Ecola Point
At the north end of Crescent Beach, below the viewpoint at Ecola State Park, you will find plenty of tidepool life among the rocks of Ecola Point. During extreme low tides, you can also reach Ecola Point by walking from the south around Chapman Point.
When and Where to View Tidepools
For optimum viewing, it is best to be in the intertidal zone one hour before daily low tides. Tides of 0.0 feet and lower (minus tides) are best for tidepool viewing, but when the ocean is calm, many intertidal areas can be observed even at plus one or two-foot tides. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program offers a tide table on its website to help visitors plan their visit.
Exploring the tidepools of Cannon Beach is a fascinating and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re checking out the tidepools around Haystack Rock or discovering other great spots to explore, the intertidal area around Cannon Beach is a unique and diverse environment that deserves our respect and protection. So grab your tidepool shoes and head out to Cannon Beach to discover the fascinating world of marine creatures that call it home.
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