Cannon Beach Travel Guide

  Crescent Beach from Ecola Point...
by glabah
 
  • Crescent Beach from Ecola Point Viewpoint
      Crescent Beach from Ecola Point...
    by glabah
  •   Cannon Beach
    by i_love_ystone
  • View from Ecola State park direction Cannon Beach
      View from Ecola State park direction...
    by iammon
  • Bufflehead, male and female, congregate on Lagoons
      Bufflehead, male and female, congregate...
    by glabah
  • Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach
      Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach
    by Hyrapiet
 

Flights to Cannon Beach

All fares Ashburn (IAD) to Cannon Beach (PDX) found by travelers in past 48 hours*
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Pro

ZanieOR profile photo

 Lovely views, nice beach, many galleries, shops and restaurants. 


Con

cruisingbug profile photo

 Cold water! 


In a nutshell

Shaft28 profile photo

 Like a small Carmel, CA but cooler and in Oregon. 

 

Explore Cannon Beach

Things to Do  

Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Some of the most famous views of Oregon are just north of Cannon Beach in Ecola State Park. A number of places in the park were used in assorted films that used the Oregon Coast as a backdrop.NOTE: This state park is a fee park. It requires either a state parks annual pass... 

The Beach and Beach Access

The Beach and Beach Access, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Naturally, one of the draws here is the beach. After all the name is "Cannon Beach".For those who have not been to a beach in Oregon before: please be aware that the water is cold. Most people do not go into the water unless it is a blazing hot day (which doesn't normally... 

Boogie Boarding!

Boogie Boarding!, Cannon Beach

 lisa85202 Says:  Stop by and visit the Cannon Beach Surf shop. We didn't go Boogie Boarding the weekend I was there, but my girlfriends had gone on a trip past and were very happy with the service from this shop. Instead of trying to make a sale at any cost...the owner actually highly... 

HAYSTACK ROCK

HAYSTACK ROCK, Cannon Beach

 mtncorg Says:  Haystack Rock is said to be the third largest monolith - free standing rock - in the World. I don't know where or who came up with this information, but I would think that to be technically incorrect. Wikipedia shows considerable confusion when it actually comes to sizing... 

ECOLA STATE PARK

ECOLA STATE PARK, Cannon Beach

 mtncorg Says:  There are many jewels to the Oregon State Park system along the Coast and lying within the first tier would definitely have to be Ecola State Park. The world-class view from the Ecola Viewpoint is reason enough. This view is emblematic for the entire 360 mile coastline, so... 

OSWALD WEST STATE PARK

OSWALD WEST STATE PARK, Cannon Beach

 mtncorg Says:  Located south a few miles of Cannon Beach, Oswald West State Park preserves a magnificent section of the northern Oregon coastline. Trails wind their way down - 0.75 miles - from the large parking areas on US 101 to the Short Sand Beach in Smuggler's Cove, which is probably... 

Silver Point Overlook

Silver Point Overlook, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Along highway 101 just south of Cannon Beach, and so close to the town that it is essentially part of the town, there is a series of wide spots on the west side of the highway. Collectively these are called the "Silver Point Interpretive Overlook"."Silver Point" was named... 

Hotels  

Surfsand Resort

 1 Review and 381 Opinions  My sister used the Surfsand's ballroom for the location of her wedding reception and it was... 

Inn At Cannon Beach

 195 Opinions

Restaurants  

Bills Tavern and Brew House: Comfortable with a Partial Bar

Bills Tavern and Brew House: Comfortable with a Partial Bar, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Perhaps the most unique feature of Bill's is the live music, typically once a week on Thursdays. The restaurant / bar / tavern and brew house is split into two sections. When you walk in the front door the area to the right is the bar and strictly for the 21 and over crowd.... 

Wayfarer: A View of Haystack Rock from the Table

Wayfarer: A View of Haystack Rock from the Table, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Perhaps the most unique feature of this restaurant is that it looks directly out at Haystack Rock. There are quite a few restaurants in Cannon Beach, but very few are this close to The Rock.However, it is only a rare few tables that get this view. Most of the restaurant does... 

Gower St. Bistro: Something For Everyone @ Gower St. Bistro

Gower St. Bistro: Something For Everyone @ Gower St. Bistro, Cannon Beach

 orcoastgirl Says:  The Gower St. Bistro is located adjacent to the Cannon Beach Hotel. We have been here several times and have enjoyed many things on the menu. The service is very good and the ambiance charming and elegant. The dining room is rather small, so it is good to make reservations... 

Transportation  

Bike Rental in Cannon Beach

Bike Rental in Cannon Beach, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Nobody offers car rental in Cannon Beach. The closest places that do are in Astoria - quite some distance to the north. However, for visiting Cannon Beach itself a car really isn't necessary. There is the occasional shuttle and bus.There are bike rentals available. I have... 

To and Inside Cannon Beach by Public Transit

To and Inside Cannon Beach by Public Transit, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Cannon Beach is a small community on the Oregon Coast, but at the same time it is also reasonably well connected by various public transit services, as well as an internal shuttle service which operates seasonally. Not all bus stops in Cannon Beach have bus shelters, but a... 

Local Customs  

Vacationers and Retreat Seekers
GuthrieColin profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

GuthrieColin 590 reviews
Cool Beach House

Cannon Beach has only 1,600 permanent residents according to a recent census. It does, however, see around 750,000 visitors per year. Of those visitors many only stay for a few days to relax and enjoy the scenery. I suspect that many of them also stay at beach houses.
When you walk the beach you will see many of the houses are very quaint and inviting. You may even think that this place would be a great place to have a vacation home. When you get into town you will find many real estate magazines and possibilities for time shares. It is truly a town for leisure.

Written Sep 17, 2008

Related to:
 Beaches
 Adventure Travel

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Warnings and Dangers  

Tsunami!

Tsunami!, Cannon Beach

 lisa85202 Says:  Living in the desert, I never would have considered this for concern, but after seeing this sign, and hearing about the recent Tsunami's in the world, I guess this should be taken seriously. This sign was posted near the beach. 

Weather

Weather, Cannon Beach

 GuthrieColin Says:  Among other things, Cannon Beach is known for not having the best weather. If you do happen to get a clear day at Cannon Beach, count yourself lucky. The area averages around 90 inches of rain per year and is cloudy almost all of the time. Add that with the constant wind and... 

What to Pack  

Sand remover!
ZanieOR profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

ZanieOR 197 reviews
Bring LOTS of clothes for the kids!

Luggage and bags: I travel to the coast in a car, so usually take more than I need, bringing along an extra duffel bag to contain the sand.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: I usually bring both water shoes and winter boots that work well if it's cold to hike on the beach (the water is cold!).

I always bring shorts or loose pants easy to roll up, as well as a jacket and warm hat even in the summer; you just never know.

Also lots of pairs of sox and -- for lack of sand remover -- a plastic bag or two to segregate your wet, sandy sox and other pieces of apparel.
If you bring kids, bring lots of changes of clothes.
Even if you don't intend on getting wet, those waves walking along the ocean can be sneaky.

Photo Equipment: Anyone who visits Cannon Beach should have a good binoculars and a good camera.

Miscellaneous: For fun, I bring a kite to fly and a bucket and shovel to dig in the sand if I feel like it. Of course if you have kids bring more kites and more shovels, enough for everyone.

Updated Feb 24, 2005

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Road Trip
 Whale Watching

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Off The Beaten Path  

Lagoon Loop Trail

Lagoon Loop Trail, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  While the basic description may not sound too pleasant, this trail isn't quite as bad as a basic description of it may lead you to believe. It is a loop, mostly gravel, that runs a complete circle around and through the marshland slightly east of the middle of town, with an... 

Les Shirley Park

Les Shirley Park, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  Ecola Creek runs along the northern edge of downtown Cannon Beach, and this little creek provides entertainment for people and some habitat for local wildlife. On the north edge of this creek you will find Les Shirley Park.The park features two sections: the section closest... 

"Endangered Species" Park

"Endangered Species" Park, Cannon Beach

 glabah Says:  At the far north end of Hemlock, which is the main north-south street through downtown Cannon Beach, you will find a small park that offers beach access, a few educational signs, and a sculpture of a whale. Other than the sculpture, a drinking fountain, and some sheltered... 

Favorites  

Chamber Information Center

Chamber Information Center, Cannon Beach

 ZanieOR Says:  A general tip (though not my favorite thing) is to visit the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce information center.There you will find free brochures, a whole magazine about Cannon Beach, souvenirs, post cards and someone to answer questions about Cannon Beach.The information... 

Comments

 
* Pricing and fares have been collected during the three days prior to today's date. Actual pricing and fares are provided by air carrier and suppliers, whose prices change frequently and without notice.
Map of Cannon Beach