If Virginia is for lovers … Oregon is for beach lovers!

At some point, a forward thinking administration designated every beach in the State of Oregon a public recreation area – making them free and accessible to everyone. We’ve been traveling along the west coast for most of the summer, and Buster’s absolutely in heaven. It’s a beautiful thing.

I’ve already begun to wonder if Buster will be depressed when we turn the Winnebago east, back toward that part of the country where the ocean doesn’t stretch for miles just outside your front door. So until then, we’ll be taking full advantage of the surf and the sand!

Spending a few sunshiny days in Cannon Beach, northwest of Portland, couldn’t have been more perfect. Of course, the major attraction for us was the dog friendly beach! The only restriction is that dogs must either be leashed or under the voice control of their owners – and there is plenty of space to find a stretch that’s all yours.

Honestly, have you ever seen a happier dog?

After a day of romping and relaxing, Cannon Beach continues to deliver the goods. The vibe here can best be described as Carmel-by-the-Sea meets the Jersey Shore – in the nicest possible way. The cottages around town look comfortable and lived in – projecting a shabby-chic-and-proud-of-it attitude that suggests tracking in a little sand will not be the end of the world.  It’s casual, friendly, and has everything you’d expect of a well-appointed beach town … boutiques for shopping, a top-notch ice cream shop, and a nice selection of pet friendly restaurants.

After dinner, everyone – including the dogs – heads back to their favorite spot to watch the sunset.

And Mother Nature doesn’t disappoint.

Whether you’re looking for a rental property, a campground, or pet friendly hotels in Cannon Beach, you should have no trouble finding accommodations. We stayed in the Winnebago, but the Hallmark Resort, with its balconies over looking Haystack Rock and pet friendly policy, was particularly tempting!

Ecola State Park

Looking for a bit of solitude? Just two miles north of Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park runs for nine miles along the coast. Miles of trails overlook private coves, deserted stretches of beach, and the long-abandoned offshore lighthouse. Once you’re beyond the parking area, you’ll feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself, and dogs on leash are welcome on all the trails.

 It’s a great place to sit back and take it all in …