Pacific City

Located on Oregon’s coast, Pacific City is about a two-hour drive from downtown Portland, so getting there is a bit of a haul, but more than worth it. Driving there, you’ll wind through Oregon’s impossibly green forests and wide swaths of farm country—you’ll also pass through the sweet little town of Tillamook (home of the eponymous cheese brand, which does amazing factory tours that are free and kid-approved). Once you arrive, head straight to the long, wide beach, where you’ll find a huge sand dune full of kids climbing to the top and sliding down, and plenty of tide pools filled with sea urchins, barnacles, and other sea life. When everyone’s tired out, order a flight of the award-winning beer at Pelican Pub & Brewery. Make sure to get a seat on the porch, so you can watch the dorys—crazy local fishing boats that beach themselves at high speeds to get in and out of the water.