Multnomah Falls is VERY cool. It is one of the tallest continually running falls in the states. You can look at it from below (30 minutes), walk up to a bridge 1/3 the way up (1 hour) or trek up to the top and check out the stream that feeds the fall and stand on a platform off the cliff face looking down. To get to the top is pretty darn steep with switchbacks. (2 hours) I think its worth the effort to see the view from up top and the Columbia River area is neat. Its pretty close to Portland so depending on your plans while you are there you could bug out to the falls one evening, or hit it on the way in/out of town.
Heceta Head light house outside of Florence is one of my favorite. You park below in a cove and walk up maybe half a mile. I thought that was on the list yesterday but looks like it might have been removed.
I guess a couple comments more about the Oregon coast. I can't remember if I already said this but it seems that as you go from north to south on the coast you get long straight sandy beaches around Seaside and Cannon Beach and the futher south you get more into rocky coastline and really just coves with some sand. The long sandy stuff is neat to walk along for longer stretches and whatnot but the coves are certainly better for tide pools and watching the waves crash on the rocks which is my favorite.
The towns along the coast are generally small and at least the touristy parts that you would want to walk around are even smaller. You can extend time in a town if you needed or wanted to but there really isn't a ton there. Also, there aren't a ton of restaurants or food places along the way either so don't necessarily plan on seeing a McDonalds every 10 minutes. There aren't any food chains in Cannon Beach but up in Seaside there are a few.
When I was 13 or so my family pulled our pop up tent and camped up the coast. We went through winnemucca to crater lake, down into norcal to the redwoods, then all the way up the coast to the columbia river. We did it in about 10-14 days and drove a bit each day before stopping at another state park for the afternoon/night. We were able to go to some other really cool places (hawaii, cancun, disney world, etc, my dad traveled a lot for work so we always used flyer miles) as a family growing up but this trip to oregon was always my favorite. Still is one of the best memories I have from my childhood. Maybe it was because of the relaxed nature of the trip which was uncharacteristic for my family but we just had so much fun hanging out on the beach and playing in the tide pools. Anyway, I've blabbed on too much about this stuff already so I'll just wish you guys a great trip.
I found this advisory while looking at the Beverly Beach State Parks site:
Effective Aug. 19 at 10 a.m., a statewide ban is in place for all campfires and open flames in properties owned and managed by Oregon State Parks, as well as the ocean shores. This includes but is not limited to fire pits, tiki torches, and candles. The use of propane stoves and/or charcoal briquettes for cooking may be allowed, but are subject to local fire restrictions. Please check with park staff. This ban will remain in effect for at least one week and will be re-evaluated based on fire status, weather and guidance from state and local fire officials.
