Any advice for coastal backpacking with kids?

[MLHSN]

Any advice for coastal backpacking with kids?

 I'm trying to plan a backpacking trip with the kids (4 and 6 yrs old).  They have never seen the Ocean so I thought the coast would be fun.

 I'm thinking something around 3 mi. or less.  Safe for the kids.  It would be nice if they could see some tidal pools and roam the beach. 

 Third beach? Second beach? Rialto beach?  These are all names I've seen come up.  We are considering going Memorial day weekend.  Is that a crazy idea with the holiday crowds?  I'm relatively clueless when it comes to the tides and timing.  If it works, this should be an interesting trip for us.

 Suggestions greatly appreciated.

[jackelope]

If you're talking about backpacking out to the beaches and camping, I think it's a great idea. I've been thinking about doing it too.  From what I've learned, good drinking water is a bit of a challenge. 3 miles is long range for a 6 year  old.  I'm not sure i'd even think about going that far with a 6 and a 4 year old.

[hrd2fnd]

If you hit the waves you've gone to far  also don't forget the tarp for the blue sky effect.

[Jacque]

Lake Ozette. Trail is part Boardwalk part gravel 3 mile hike to sand point great for kids. Backpacking or day hike.

[SemperFidelis97]

You should be able to pick up a tidebook locally when you get into any coastal town.  That will give you a rundown on your high, and low tides for the day.  You may want to ask whoever you buy it from what areas tides are correct for where you are.  For instance we use the seattle tides for hood canal.

[Fl0und3rz]

Kalaloch is a decent campground if you're OK with car camping instead of hiking.

[sneakyjake]

My kids were 9&12 2 years ago when we did our first trip.  We did 7 lakes out of the sole duck and had a blast.  Took our time and it was fine.  We were supposed to camp at 3rd afterwards but they were tired so we just hiked in and made a fire and played.  Don't worry. Just let your wife pack your pack with all the good stuff and then struggle down the path.

[Airnip]

Chehalis River empties into the Pacific Ocean. North bank is Ocean Shores. South bank is Westport. Either side has car traffic access to the sandy beaches. You and your kids can drive right up on the beach. Get out of the car and walk as far as you like.

Come over any time and walk on the sand. Its public property with plenty of access points. Could rent a yurt at 'Grayland Beach State park'. Plenty of good eats and places to stay the night either direction.

Believe it best to break up the driving with some stops along the way. Enjoy the journey. Have fun.

[DJ_Mack]

I second the Lake Ozette Triangle hike.  9 miles total.  3 miles to the ocean on a boardwalk, 3 miles along the beach, and 3 miles on a boardwalk back to the parking lot.  You can have fires at the northern camping location.  I did it when I was in 2nd grade.  No elevation gain, and you see a lot of wildlife.  Highly recommended!!!!!!

[Netminder01]

I took the youth soccer team I was coaching (U11-U12's) out of Forks down to Strawberry Point. Know your tides and the route in advance and a water conversion kit will be key since you won't want to haul much water.

Fun trips with kids, tide pools and so much to explore.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Deception Pass
 

[JimmyHoffa]

Rialto beach might be good for kids.  You can camp at Mora Campground and drive up to the beach.  You can hike up the beach to Hole-in-the-Wall and play around by the tide pools. 
Another place to look at (kind of coastal--the strait) would be Salt Creek by Joyce.  Beach, tide pools, trails around the campground and up to Striped Peak.  Plus there is some old WW2 stuff.  And if they like geocaching, there's a few of those in that area.

[bowtechian]

Second beach is just under a mile & you can just get a tide app for your phone like tide chart free

[fishngamereaper]

With kids I would do second or third beach. Better beaches IMO.  Ozette would be pushing it for a 4 year old. I did Ozette as a kid,( long time ago) and had good memories of it. I just did it again last year with the wife and 10 year old and was not overly impressed. 

[MLHSN]

Thanks everyone for the advice!  Anyone know if it's a crazy idea to go memorial day weekend?  Last thing I want to do is hike into 2nd or 3rd beach with kiddos after a 6 hr. drive and find that there is nowhere to pitch a tent.

[danderson]

  The lake Ozette  hike is a must even for little kiddos, just be aware that it rains a lot at the beach camping can be very damp from the sea mist, plan the hike in the summer when you know the weather will be good, I did it back in the 70s when the archaeology dig was in full swing there, there are some fantastic petroglyphs on the beach about mid point, they don't advertise them so you have to search them out, kids will come away with a better understanding of native Indian culture, and the value of treasured historical sites, I went back a few years ago with my scout troop and the trail has been improved with much of it in board walk, the best camping locations were on the beach about 1 mile north of the upper triangle, drinking water is brackish so a filter is a must, and they require a bear canister and permit to enter, bear canisters can be picked up in Port Angeles at the ranger station, didn't see any bears but raccoon's and deer were plentiful, think there are 18 different Petroglyphs in all I found about 10.