The drive to the Oregon Coast is through the luscious county and state forests of Oregon and over two Coastal Range mountain passes. We may stop at a scenic viewpoint, weather permitting.

Visiting Cannon Beach is an extraordinary highlight of any coastal visit; from stunning beaches with dramatic features to rainforests to salt water taffy shops, art galleries and seafood restaurants: this town has it all. We'll chat about the history -- why Cannon and not "Cannons" beach? -- and the peoples of the Clatsop tribe and other coastal people, like the Salish, who were here before the cannons and taffy. We'll make recommendations for lunch. We'll give you lots of time to explore.

The extraordinary rock that was a feature of several films, including the 1980s The Goonies, is also home to many seabirds. We will visit close enough for some great photos -- the rock itself is off limits as a sensitive nesting area for murres and tufted puffins.

Ecola is a unique landscape, a coastal rainforest with old growth Sitka spruce and Western hemlock trees, countless ferns and berry plants, and wild life right on the edge of Cannon Beach. We'll spend some time here, long enough for a hike up to the viewpoint overlooking another movie filming location -- beach scenes from the Twilight movie were filmed here. If desired, you'll hike from 1-3 miles (2-5 km) in the forest at Ecola.

This gorgeous beach featured in several movies, including Twilight and Point Break. We'll visit it either as the destination of a hike or as a special stop, depending on weather and the group.

The Tillamook State Forest is part of the many county and state forests we pass through on the way back home from the Oregon Coast. If you're feeling alert, you'll notice lots of the flowers and trees that we learned about at the coast, plus lots of species that don't grow as big anywhere but here in the relatively higher elevation mountain passes.

The logging museum on the way to and from the Oregon Coast is a favorite stop for gawking at old tractors and equipment, grabbing a gift at the eclectic gift shop, and if desired, trying one of their famous enormous cinnamon rolls.

We'll stop at this iconic viewpoint, weather permitting, for the stunning views of Manzanita Beach below