Seaside & Cannon Beach Shopping On Your Own

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Sit back and relax for a scenic drive aboard an air-conditioned motorcoach as you leave the Port of Astoria and travel south on famous Highway 101. You'll enjoy views of Saddle Mountain, one of Oregon's highest peaks, and pass the towns of Warrenton and Gearhart, as your guide shares the history and points out the many sights of the area.

Your first destination is the charming coastal town of Seaside, for over a century considered the Northwest's most popular ocean resort for family fun. This unique resort town offers gift shops, fine eateries with local seafood and miles of beach. Take a stroll on the 1.5-mile promenade, feed the seals at the aquarium, try your luck in the arcades, shop for souvenirs or take a ride on the carousel in the heart of downtown. Be sure to sample some of Seaside's famous salt water taffy, a locally made confection that comes in all sorts of exotic flavors from huckleberry to habanero.

You'll reboard your bus and continue on to Cannon Beach, its name derived from a U.S. Navy cannon that washed ashore in 1846. It was lost from the U.S. Navy schooner Shark that wrecked as it was leaving the Columbia River earlier that year. The town is considered an artist's colony and some of the best photographers, writers, painters, glassblowers and ceramists on the Oregon coast call Cannon Beach home. Enjoy a fine meal at one of the many bistros, or enjoy the fresh sea air while you walk along the pristine beach. Cannon Beach is also known for the natural phenomenon known as Haystack Rock, which lies just south of town. Composed of basalt, this 235-foot-tall monolith rises up out of the ocean and is home to many sea birds such as puffins, gulls and cormorants.

Reboard your bus and return to Astoria along the same scenic route.

Special Notes:

Amount of walking is mainly at the guests' discretion. The downtown areas are flat, compact and easy to walk but there may be some steps and uneven surfaces to negotiate. Wear appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Foldable wheelchairs less than 70 lbs. may be accommodated but guests must be able to enter/exit the bus on their own. Tour order and routes may vary. This excursion offers guests independent time at each location; therefore, the cost of outdoor activities and meals are not included.