5 Outdoor Family Trips to Look into Along the West Coast

If you and your family are looking for a fun and exciting West Coast vacation, you will have plenty to do if you enjoy the outdoors. Taking extra precautions when it comes to vacations is a must because of the pandemic, but there are still several locations and activities you can take advantage of to ensure this year's family trip is one you and your loved ones will remember fondly. Here are a few family trips you may want to look into.

West Coast Beach Vacation

Cannon Beach, Oregon is the ideal location if you and your relatives want to walk along the beach and soak up the sun. If you book a hotel or villa in the area, it is easy to find accommodations that are walking distance from the beach. There are several trendy restaurants that offer outdoor dining and several locations that are ideal for nature walks. If you visit Cannon Beach in June, you can go to the oldest sandcastle building contest in the US -- you and your family may even want to participate in the event.

Visiting West Coast Islands

If you want to feel like you are visiting a tropical location, you can take your loved ones to the San Juans this summer. This is a collection of more than 170 islands and you likely won't get much rain if you vacation during the warm months of the year. You can see beautiful animals up close like bald eagles and whales. There are also instructors available to teach you how to kayak or zip-line, and there are several places for hiking and biking so you can get a great workout in. You will have to make a reservation to travel to the islands by ferry, or you can take a seaplane to your San Juan Island destination.

Mountain Biking

If you want to spend most of your vacation in the water, Bend, Oregon is the place to go. The city is surrounded by mountains so it is unlikely that you will encounter a coastal storm during your vacation, and you won't have to worry about humidity. The area also gets very little rain so you can stay outdoors as long as you like. You can mountain bike before traveling a short distance to the downtown area for a great meal. Downtown Bend also has attractive shops and parks, and you can visit Deschutes River to walk on the hiking trails and look at the beautiful waterfalls.

White Water Rafting

You can participate in white water rafting, regardless of your skill level, and receive expert instruction to keep you safe in the water and enhance your river rafting skills. It is important to do your research in order to find the right fit for your family. There are many exciting water rafting options along the West Coast that offer families the opportunity to have fun, bond, and be around wildlife. A company that provides Kern river tours states that the Kern river has a wide variety of animals to spot while you are rafting. This includes beavers, eagles, black bears, and mountain lions. You can also take advantage of the warm weather in this area by rock climbing or paddle boarding. If this destination is on your vacation list, you can schedule a one or two day trip or take a short trip to the area so you can spend a few hours rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing before going back home.

City Exploration

Seattle is one of the best places on the West Coast for outdoor adventure. However, there are also trendy attractions like neighborhoods filled with eccentric houses and restaurants that serve creative dishes. When you are in the city, be sure to take your family to Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. There are several beaches in the area too and since you will get about 16 hours of sunlight during the summer, you can spend most of the day sunbathing, splashing in the waves, enjoying the breeze, and building sandcastles.

Whether you want to spend your vacation relaxing outdoors or want to participate in watersports and activities, you can find appealing activities when you visit these West Coast cities. Be sure to contact resorts or hotels you are considering to ensure you can adhere to safety regulations while creating memories with the people you love the most.