Traveling with Kids to the Oregon Coast: What to do, Where to Stay feat. the Salishan Resort
Traveling with kids can often feel like…..parenting in a different location. Which brought me to seek out the ultimate location on the Oregon coast that was not only kid-friendly, but parent-friendly as well. The Salishan Resort, nestled between two adorable beach cities about two hours outside of Portland, takes away all the guess work like “what to do” and “where to stay” when traveling with kids, because it’s literally packed with with activities that everyone in the family can simultaneously enjoy, on 250 lush green acres. Not only that, but Salishan Resort was rated by Conde Nast traveler as one of the top destinations in the Pacific Northwest, so we couldn’t wait to visit and find out for ourselves why this could be the perfect destination in Oregon when you’re traveling with kids. See below to see why we instantly fell in love!
Weekly summertime outdoor concerts
Summer Concerts for all ages on Saturday nights throughout the summer at the Salishan Resort
This event is what led me to want to book with the Salishan in the first place- finally an activity along the coast where I didn’t have to worry about my babies running too close to the water or getting sand in those hard-to-reach places. My kids absolutely loved dancing to the band, while we enjoyed local fare and beverages for purchase by tokens around the concert area. The concert lasted about two hours, which was the perfect length for two busy school-age kids! Most people brought folding chairs, but we did fine with our beach blanket and snacks! Concerts are held weekly on Saturday nights during the summer months.
Aerial Park
The Aerial Park at the Salishan Resort
Opened only recently in mid-2019, this is the one activity that I HAD to try when Grandma offered to watch the kids for a couple of hours (you could do this during the Kid’s camp too, see below!). For ages 8+, you can climb 70 foot trees, run across skinny bridges high up in trees, swing from ropes, and basically pray you don’t fall (which they told me is 110% not possible). My husband and I had SO much fun with this out-of-the-box activity, and helped us bond a little bit too which surprised me! You are pretty high up, so I might not select this option if you’re afraid of heights, but otherwise it’s a must-do during your stay!
Dive in Pool nights
My kids were HUGE fans of this, and when you’re traveling with kids to the Oregon Coast on that long, windy highway you have to give them some incentive to stay in their seats! On select nights, popular G-rated movies are on display via a projector within the indoor pool for children to enjoy during their swim (we watched Toy Story!). Bonus for the adults: hot tub included!
On-site Brewery
The Beachcrest Brewery within the Salishan Shops serves beer, wine, champagne, and italian sodas for kids!
The Beachcrest Brewery, located in the Salishan shops within walking distance, is a new feature of the property that my husband was particularly interested in exploring. The brewery serves beer, ciders, wine, and Italian sodas for the kids (yes kids are allowed!), and light snacks. There is a small area for the kids to pick out board games, grab crayons and color, and long tables to share with large parties (or meet some new friends!) The outdoor deck overlooks a small creek and is filled with lush greenery for a relaxing afternoon with the family. This brewery is in addition to the four restaurants on the property, so there is plenty to eat before or after enjoying a local craft beer or canned wine.
Spa with outdoor Infinity Whirlpool
The Spa at the Salishan, infinity outdoor whirlpool
This is where I spent at least a full hour, thinking about how this spot within the Salishan Resort might very well be the most relaxing place on earth, especially when you’re practicing some self-care. This VERY well kept-up spa location was clean, smelled great, had multiple rooms to relax in pre-and-post appointment. I opted for the 60-minute Coastal massage, and took full advantage of all the amenities until my husband called multiple times from the parking lot (whoops.) All services can be booked online prior to your stay.
Kid’s Camp
Not only is there a “Pirate’s Loot” treasure box in the lobby for our kids to comb through, the Salishan Resort also has a Kid’s Camp called “Basecamp Explorer’s” that you can book directly online, on select days for children ages 5-12. For two hours, kids are able to explore the Salishan resort nature trails, play outdoor games, and create memorable crafts to take home! This activity fills up quick, so book online before your stay.
The 18-hole stunning golf course & Fire pits
Relax on the 205-acre property with a glass of wine by one of the firepits
Complete with Mini golf for only $10 for the kids, this is where we spent the majority of our first evening enjoying some outside dinner alongside the golf course and enjoying the fire pits with a glass of wine while our kids ran up and down the hills of the course within our sights- this was probably a highlight of their first day as well!
The Rooms
When booking a hotel room, I almost never believe any of the photos, what about you? I always need MORE information from someone that’s actually been there! Well you’re in luck! Every room at the Salishan has it’s own balcony, huge stone fireplace, mini fridge to store those bottles and sippy cups, and either looks out over the Silentz Bay or onto the golf course which seems to stretch for miles. The bathrooms also have a bathtub for bath nights! Overall the room was clean, and each window has full blackout shades so our kids could sleep in just a little bit later while on vacation!
Other On-Site Activities
The Oregon Coast beaches are a mild but year-round perfect vacation spot when traveling with kids
Basically, once you get to the Salishan Resort, you never have to leave. Here is a list of other on-site activities that we can’t wait to try on our next visit:
Bonfire Adventure: Private transportation to/from the beach, s’mores for all, and a beverage of choice!
Paint & Sip: Two wine tastings and light instruction, plus you take home your own masterpiece! About two hours long.
Twilight Bike Ride: For ages 10+, you can spend some of the evening exploring the grounds on a bike ride (good for a date night!). Bikes are also available during the daytime free of cost!
