Headed to the Pacific Northwest and looking for a great spot on the coast? Then you have to check out Cannon Beach, Oregon! Cannon Beach is a very popular coastal town in the Pacific Northwest region. Most recognized for Haystack Rock, this beach town should be added to your PNW road trip itinerary. To be honest, although it is the beach, you may not always be greeted with sunny warm beach weather you may be used to finding further south in California. You are in the Pacific Northwest after all. We spent two nights in this area in July. The first night was sunny, but still chilly, and the second night was cloudy, gloomy and yes, chilly.
Although the weather may not always be reliable, Cannon Beach still won’t disappoint with it’s stunning views and dramatic coastline. Alright, let’s get you to the beach!
Getting to Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is located about 80 miles west of Portland, Oregon so it is relatively easy to access for both locals and tourists. If you are flying, the closest airport is Portland International Airport. If you do not have a car, you can catch one of the two buses that travel between Portland & Cannon Beach each day. To purchase tickets, you can go through Greyhound or Amtrak. You can also fly into Seattle International Airport, this would give you about a 4 hour drive to Cannon Beach.
Since Cannon Beach is one of the best beaches in Oregon, it is definitely a spot you can’t pass by. As with most beaches, the best time to visit is during the summer. If you are wanting warmer weather and less chance for rain, I would recommend visiting between July and September.
Things to do in Cannon Beach
There are several things to explore and discover in Cannon Beach. From local shops, galleries, parks, beach campfires and surfing, there is something for every type of traveler. Cannon Beach is also a great spot to unwind, slow down and just relax from your busy life.
Shopping
Hemlock Street is home to many shops, galleries and restaurants in this cozy beach town. It is an great place to park and walk to peruse the local stores. There are a couple of different public parking lots nearby that allow you to leave your car for the day. Just be sure to check if it is a paid or free lot. During the summer, parking can be limited so you might have to park further down Hemlock.
Restaurants
Cannon Beach is fairly small, however, it does provide a wide variety of eating options. A majority can be found along Hemlock but you will also find a few in local hotels or spread a little further south of town. A few of our favorites include:
- Pelican Brewing
- Cannon Beach Smokehouse
- Anna’s Table
- Season’s Café
- Bistro
- Crepe Neptune
If you are not in love with any of the restaurant options in Cannon Beach, you can drive about 8 miles north to Seaside, Oregon for more options.
Things to Do in Cannon Beach
Outdoor lovers are drawn to Cannon Beach as there are so many opportunities to explore. With multiple hiking trails, state parks and the beach you definitely won’t be bored. Rent a bike and ride up and down the coast, go for a hike and view the Tillamook Lighthouse in Ecola State Park, or check out the unique ecosystem around Haystack Rock at low tide. If you feel up to trying new things, sign up for a surfing lesson or rent your own board and have fun shredding. Note surfing lessons will only be offered during safe surfing conditions.
AllTrails is a great resource to find local hiking trails. Just put in your location and you can filter by difficulty, views, distance, etc.
The most visited attraction in Cannon Beach is Haystack Rock. If you are wanting more specific details about visiting Haystack Rock and when to snap Pixel Perfect photos, check out our Haystack Rock post.
Where to Stay in Cannon Beach
When visiting Cannon Beach, you will definitely find accommodations on the higher end of prices, especially if you are visiting during peak season. If you are flexible in your travel and are not looking to get a tan, I recommend taking advantage of the lower prices during the “offseason” months from September- April. However, no matter when you visit, the views and the atmosphere of this little beach town can make the extra few dollars worth it. Here are a few places I think will make your trip extra relaxing:
If you are looking to explore Cannon Beach but have a little bit of a smaller budget, Seaside is a few minutes away and can offer a few budget-friendly options. Even though both Cannon Beach and Seaside have become more touristy, in my opinion, Seaside feels more “touristy”. Just something to keep in mind when booking your accommodations.
Places to Visit Near Cannon Beach
Seaside, Oregon
Seaside is a fun beach town a couple of miles north of Cannon Beach full of shops, restaurants and plenty of coastline to play on the beach. When comparing Seaside and Cannon Beach, I would definitely say Seaside airs more on the tourist side but we found accommodations to be cheaper in Seaside compared to Cannon Beach.
Ecola State Park
Ecola State Park was a hidden gem that offered one of my favorite views of the Oregon coast. There was no fee to enter the park, however you had to pay a small hourly fee to park. There are several hiking trails in the park, some even leading down to the beach. If you are just looking for a great view, you can park and walk a short distance to a couple different vantage points of the ocean. One allows you to look down the coast with the lush green mountains and whitecaps crashing on the beach. You can even spy Haystack Rock! If you continue to walk around the path, you will come to another overlook that looks over the vast Pacific Ocean and has a great view of the Tillamook Lighthouse. The Tillamook Lighthouse is no longer active but has been deemed a historical landmark.
Tillamook, Oregon
Tillamook is a very small town that is home to Tillamook Creamery. You can take a free tour of the creamery and get some samples of their cheese. The best part of the visit… the ice cream! I recommend getting 3 scoops so you can try even more flavors. The wait for ice cream can be long, especially in the summer, but it was worth the wait. The Creamery also has a couple of food court style restaurants offering lunch options and a gift shop where you can find both edible and non edible souvenirs.
If you are looking for more travel tips and inspiration in this area, check out our other Pacific Northwest posts. Love the photos you see? Check out the photography tab and find your favorite print! If you found this post helpful, be sure to share it with your friends.
Willamette Valley
Oregon’s largest wine region can be argued to rival that of the more popular Napa Valley in California. Known for it’s Pinot Noirs, Willamette covers 150 miles and is home to over 700 wineries. Visiting Willamette Valley can be a trip all on it’s own, however you can also make it into a day trip option. Each winery has it’s own preferences, however many require reservations and some do not accommodate large parties. So be sure to check the specific website of the winery you are looking to visit.
Happy Exploring!
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