Updated: April 11, 2024
The most popular destination on the Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach is best known for iconic Haystack Rock (The Goonies rock), a massive sea stack that rises 235 feet above the water.
National Geographic has called it “one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places” and recently named Cannon Beach as one of the best U.S. beach towns to visit in the fall. Lonely Planet has also crowned Cannon Beach, Oregon as one of the World’s Best Beaches in 2024.
Read on to find fun things to do in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and discover why this small beach town consistently ranks amongst the top beach vacation destinations.
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Where is Cannon Beach, Oregon?
Cannon Beach is located on the northern Oregon Coast in Clatsop County, about 1 hour and 45 minutes driving from Portland. The most common route is via highway 26 west to 101 south. It’s an easy weekend getaway or day trip from Portland by car.
Transportation to Cannon Beach
Driving is the most convenient way to get to Cannon Beach and see the Oregon Coast at your own pace, but there are some car-free options available. For air, bus, train and car rental information, see Transportation to the Oregon Coast.
🚗 Search for rental cars and find the best deals on cars at RentalCars.com.
About Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach, Oregon was originally settled by the Tillamook tribe, who William Clark encountered when the Lewis and Clark Expedition explored this area in 1805. The town received its name after a U.S. Navy cannon from a sunken ship washed ashore nearby.
Today, Cannon Beach is a small but thriving and popular tourist town with a population of about 1,600 people.
Top Attractions and Things to Do in Cannon Beach
Haystack Rock Tide Pools
One of the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast, Haystack Rock (a.k.a. The Goonies rock) is crawling with colorful sea creatures. Starfish, sea anemones and urchins are common sights, as well as crabs and shellfish.
An occasional giant Pacific octopus and even a random cougar have made an appearance at Haystack Rock. Tufted Puffins also nest on the rock in spring and summer. Remember to avoid disturbing the sea life, birds, or any wildlife or their environment during your visit.
The best time to explore tide pools is 1-2 hours before low tide, as the tide is still receding (see below for tide tables). Sunset is a good time to snap a beautiful photo of the rock.
Fun Fact: Though Haystack Rock was featured in The Goonies, more of the movie was actually filmed on location in Astoria, Oregon.
The most convenient way to reach Haystack Rock is to park at the public lot on Hemlock and Gower Street and walk to the beach access point next to the Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge.
Shopping and Dining in Downtown Cannon Beach
Walk down Hemlock Street in town and browse a variety of boutique shops, art galleries and restaurants. There are also a lot of options for dining in Cannon Beach (see below). Downtown shops include high-end gift shops, ice cream and saltwater taffy, coffee, crafts, jewelry, clothing, home decor and souvenirs.
Cannon Beach Weekend Essentials
Be prepared for a trip to the Oregon Coast with these essentials.
• Waterproof windbreaker jacket
• Beanie
• Binoculars (for spotting wildlife)
Hiking in Ecola State Park
About 10 minutes north of Cannon Beach, explore one of the top state parks in the United States. Ecola State Park offers some of the best hiking trails on the Oregon Coast, amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, rock formations, bald eagles, whales, and on a clear day, you may get a good view of “Terrible Tilly,” the lonely Tillamook Lighthouse.
A local herd of Roosevelt Elk can often be seen in Cannon Beach, grazing in the clearings or even walking on the beach.
For hikers, there are many miles of trails including the Tillamook Head Trail, an 8-mile segment of the Oregon Coast Trail and a 2.5-mile historical Clatsop Loop Trail that William Clark once traveled.
You can also hike to Crescent Beach or Indian Beach from this park or just relax and enjoy the picnic areas.
Check trail conditions and read trip reports beforehand and please use caution as trails can be washed out or closed due to storms and landslides.
Hug Point Waterfall and More Oregon Beaches
Drive south of Cannon Beach for about 10 minutes and you’ll pass a handful of accessible beach areas including Tolovana Beach, Arcadia Beach, Hug Point, Arch Cape and Cove Beach.
Hug Point State Recreation Site is a small beach cove where you can see Hug Point waterfall, explore cool sea caves carved into sandstone cliffs and access tide pools during low tide.
Oswald West State Park features a day-use area, miles of hiking trails and a sandy beach popular for surfing. Short Sand Beach is reachable by an easy, half-mile walk through the forest.
The Cape Falcon trail and Neahkahnie Mountain trail are more challenging hikes and Smuggler Cove, Devil’s Cauldron and Treasure Cove are also fun spots to explore.
If you’re not in the mood for a hike, take a scenic drive and pull off at the Neahkahnie Viewpoint to soak up the expansive view and snap a photo.
Hotels in Cannon Beach, Oregon
Surfsand Resort
🌊 Best Beachfront Hotel in Cannon Beach: If you’re looking for an oceanfront hotel in Cannon Beach, the Surfsand Resort comes highly recommended with spa services, soaking tubs in rooms, an adjoining restaurant and front-row ocean views of Haystack Rock. The hotel is pet and family friendly.
👍 Rating:10/10 Excellent “The room far exceeded our expectations. We loved the ocean view, the soaker tub, and the gas fireplace.”
If Cannon Beach is booked solid, try these Oregon Coast towns located under 20 minutes from Cannon Beach:
• Laid-back Manzanita, Oregon – 20 minutes away
• Fun and lively Seaside, Oregon – 15 minutes away
• Dreamy Arch Cape – 8 minutes away
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Cannon Beach
The nearest state campground to Cannon Beach is Nehalem Bay State Park, about 30 minutes to the south.
We usually prefer to camp at Oregon State Parks, most of which have tent campsites, RV campsites with hookups, yurts and cabins available for rent.
🌲 See our full guide toState Park campgrounds on the Oregon Coast for more information about how to reserve a campsite.
Restaurants and Dining in Cannon Beach, Oregon
A wide variety of restaurants in Cannon Beach are tucked into the nooks and crannies along Hemlock Street and they’re all within walking distance of each other. There are also some dining options on the south end of town.
Start your day at Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters in Cannon Beach for top-shelf organic coffee roasted in small batches locally. The Lazy Susan Cafe is also a favorite Cannon Beach breakfast spot (cash only).
Pelican Brewing in central Cannon Beach and Public Coast Brewing Co. in northern Cannon Beach are popular local Oregon Coast breweries that also serve pub fare.
🍺 Interested in Oregon craft beer? See our full guide to Oregon Coast breweries.
The Wayfarer restaurant and lounge serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is one of the only spots for oceanfront dining in Cannon Beach with a view of Haystack Rock.
Crepe Neptune is one of our favorite food spots to grab a quick bite in Cannon Beach. Walk up to the window and order crepes with sweet fillings like chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows, or savory options with smoked salmon.
A trip to Cannon Beach wouldn’t be complete without stocking up on saltwater taffy. Bruce’s Candy Kitchen has been making taffy in Cannon Beach since 1963 and you can still watch them make it through the window. Schwietert’s also has multiple buckets of saltwater taffy you can mix and match by the pound.
The North Coast Food Trail includes restaurant suggestions for dining in Cannon Beach and along the northern Oregon Coast and features a variety of local culinary options that can be explored at your own pace.
🍴 See our guide to the best Oregon Coast restaurants for more dining options in each region of the coast from north to south.
Cannon Beach, Oregon Weather
The weather in Cannon Beach is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
September and early October can be a beautiful time to visit the coast with lingering warm days from summer and cooler nights as autumn arrives.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Oregon Coast? Cannon Beach does get crowded in the summer. Find what season works best for you.
The beaches are usually breezy and cool year-round in Cannon Beach. It’s a good idea to wear layers and bring rain gear.
What to Pack for Cannon Beach: See our guide on what to wear to the Oregon Coast by season and get a free packing list to help you prepare for your trip.
Tide Charts for Cannon Beach and the Oregon Coast
There are two low tides and two high tides every day on Oregon’s coast. Low tide is the time for beachcombing, clamming, tide pools and cave exploration.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables for Cannon Beach or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
🦀 Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is one of the best and most popular tide pool areas on the coast, but it’s not the only one! See our complete guide to the best tide pools in each region of the Oregon Coast.
Annual Events and Festivals in Cannon Beach, Oregon
Looking for more fun things to do in Cannon Beach? Here’s a list of major events to help you plan your trip.
March – Cannon Beach Gray Whale spring migration
May – Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival
June – Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest
July – Cannon Beach Independence Day Festivities
September – Cannon Beach Cottage Tour, Earth and Ocean Arts Festival
October – Savor Cannon Beach, Oregon
November – Stormy Weather Arts Festival Cannon Beach, Oregon
December – Haystack Holidays Cannon Beach, Oregon
For more details, visit the Cannon Beach, Oregon Chamber of Commerce.
Enjoy your beach vacation and feel free to bookmark this guide to Cannon Beach, Oregon, or pin it for quick reference in the future!
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