If you are like us and you are sticking pretty close to home we want to spend the next few weeks giving you some fun ideas of place to go in and around Portland during the break.

How about an overnight trip or a day trip to the coast?

One not to be missed Oregon Coast stop is Bruce’s Candy Kitchen in Cannon Beach, just an hour and a half drive from Portland.  Bruce’s Candy Kitchen has been around since 1963 and no trip to the beach would be complete for our family without a visit to Bruce’s!

Bruce’s Candy Kitchen is candy heaven!  They have the feel of an old fashion candy shop and an amazing selection!  There is even candy on their front doors!!

If you are lucky you will be able to watch them make their salt water taffy during your visit.

If you miss it be sure and pick yourself out a nice selection of their amazing, house made taffy!

If taffy isn’t your thing, no worries, there is plenty of other sweets to tempt that sweet tooth!

And if you just can’t decide, you can always try my personal favorite – white chocolate covered gummi bears – polar bears!!

No matter what your candy of choice we can pretty much guarantee you won’t leave empty handed.

Enjoy a sweet treat at Bruce’s Candy Kitchen at Cannon Beach!

Next time you are enjoying a day or a weekend at the Oregon Coast head on down to Manzanita (my favorite Oregon beach town), just 15 minutes south of Cannon Beach for a visit to the local pizza place in town – Marzano’s.  In my opinion, the best place to eat in Manzanita!

Located at the bottom of the main street of Manzanita (Laneda), Marzano’s is only steps away from the beach.

Everything is made fresh daily at Marzano’s – fresh dough and fresh sauce!  For an updated menu be sure and check out the web.  Lots of fun and yummy combinations.  Some of our favorites are Four Cheese and Roasted Garlic and of course my boys love the Carne Amore.

The service has always been nothing but delightful.   On a busy summer weekend there will be a wait so plan ahead.  Enjoy the wait and stroll up and down the quaint main street of Manzanita.  There are lots of fun little shops to explore.

They also have a take out window so you can get your pizza to go and then enjoy a beautiful sunset on the beach.

Just don’t visit on a Tuesday or Wednesday because they are closed then.

Although their prices may be a bit higher, it is not unusual for a beach town.  The other benefit is you are just a few steps away from this…