Best Things to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon (2026 Guide)
I still remember the first time fog rolled off the water and swallowed the rock formations whole — that ethereal atmosphere is exactly why people fall for this stretch of northern Oregon Coast so fast. My own trip started as a lazy family road trip out of Seattle, the kind where you tell yourself it’s a quick stop on the way to Portland and then end up staying for a full one night stay you never planned. driving distance matters here, and this whole road trip is a bit of an off the beaten path find for a lot of visitors — figure roughly 3 hours 45 minutes if you’re coming down from Seattle, or about 1 hour 30 minutes if you’re starting in Portland, and that’s all without traffic. Try to dodge I-5 and summer traffic by going during shoulder season; trust me, a 7-hour drive that should’ve taken half that will teach you fast why locals plan around it. We came down Highway 101, the same road that later hugs the California coastline past the Redwoods, and every mile felt like a preview of the dramatic views waiting ahead.
Cannon Beach is a genuinely small town — population under 2,000 — but it plays far bigger than its size, which is part of why people call it a premier escape and one of Oregon’s most photographed art town communities. It’s got that lazy beach town feel without tipping into anything kitschy; think Cape May or the Hamptons, posh but genuinely not pretentious. Up the coast, Seaside Oregon is louder and a bigger town, and down south Manzanita leans more family-oriented, but Cannon Beach lands right in the middle with a family-friendliness that doesn’t feel manufactured. Wander past the well-kept homes with their clapboard architecture and flowers in bloom, and you’ll understand why film crews picked this backdrop for filming location shots in The Goonies, Twilight, and Point Break — it genuinely looks like a movie set at sunset arrival.
Of course, the 235-foot rock — Haystack Rock — dominates every one of the panoramic viewpoints here, and it comes with its own stubborn myth: no, it is not the third largest monolith on earth, no matter how many times you hear it repeated. What is real: crabs, starfish, sea stars, and sea anemone tucked into tidepools at low tide, plus terns and puffins using the base as a nesting site. climbing prohibited signs aren’t a suggestion — a $500 fine waits for anyone who tries, so stick to wading and tidepooling instead, both of which are technically unsafe for swimming given how cold water and the wild coastline here can turn rough fast. Don’t count on a lazy relaxing beach afternoon in a bikini either — the summer sun is real, but so is that chill in the water. If you want quieter scenery, drive north toward coastal meadows where elk graze in the rainforest terrain, or head further afield — some of my readers have made the trip all the way from Vancouver British Columbia, treating it as a proper 6-hour road trip with kite flying, sandcastle building, and plenty of hiking worked into the itinerary. Bring layers; the overcast weather and not swimmable surf are part of the charm, not a flaw, and the scenic viewpoints you’ll find just off the Pacific Northwest’s large sandy beach more than make up for it.
Haystack Rock
Up close, Haystack Rock is even more dramatic than photos suggest — a sea stack roughly 235 feet tall, born from lava flows millions of years ago, standing like a towering rock formation just off shore. The distance surprised me the first time; I expected to hike out for it, but it practically sits at the edge of downtown Cannon Beach, making it the natural starting point for a day of exploring. Check tide charts before you go — at low tide, you can walk right out to the base and into the marine gardens, where starfish, sea anemone, and crabs hide among the rocks in a genuinely protected area.
That protection isn’t casual: this is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and rules exist for a reason — no collecting anything within 300 yards, and climbing forbidden signage means exactly what it says (a $500 fine enforces it, and honestly, climbing banned is for the birds’ sake as much as ours). Speaking of birds, Tufted Puffins and terns nest here April to June, using the rock as their nesting site, so bring binoculars if you can. It’s also worth knowing this stretch is not safe for swimming, and the third-largest monolith myth gets repeated so often locals barely bother correcting it anymore — most of that sea life everyone comes to see is happiest left in the pools anyway.
For photos, aim for sunrise, sunset, or that golden hour window in between, when the wet sand mirrors the sky and gives you those dreamy reflections you see plastered across Instagram. It gets busy, so go early if you want it less crowded — this is easily the top photography spot on the coast. Pack a blanket for a family beach day, let the kids try sandcastles and kite flying in the sand nearby, and remember the area is pet-friendly, so your dog is welcome too along this stretch of large sandy beach.
Ecola State Park
If Haystack Rock is the postcard, Ecola State Park is the reason to actually get out of the car. It sits just north of downtown — some call it the north end of downtown — reached by a short drive through genuine rainforest, with tall trees closing in overhead before the road opens onto dramatic shoreline views. I’d call it a must-do attraction without hesitation; it’s worth the $5 entry fee whether the sky is grey or blue, rain or shine.
The park hugs 9 miles of coastline dotted with Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, and Sitka spruce forest, framing cliffs and phenomenal views, headland views, and open ocean views in every direction — head straight to Ecola Point first, and on a clear day you can even spot Haystack Rock visible far to the south. Trail lovers get real mileage here: an 8-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail runs through, plus the Clatsop Loop Trail, a manageable 2.5 to 3 miles with interpretive signage explaining local history, including a leftover WWII radar installation and views out toward the unused lighthouse, better known as the historic lighthouse at Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
For something quieter, the Crescent Beach Trail leads down to Crescent Beach, a genuinely secluded spot popular with tidepool explorers and beachgoers, while the longer Tillamook Head hike follows terrain once crossed by Lewis and Clark. Indian Beach rounds things out nicely — watch surfers ride the break, wander the open meadows looking for elk, and take advantage of the picnic areas and hiking trails scattered through this dense forest.
Cannon Beach Village, Shops, Galleries & Boutiques
Downtown Cannon Beach is a picturesque town, and I mean that without exaggeration — it’s touristy, sure, but it earns every bit of it. The seaside main street, officially North Hemlock Street — just say main street and locals know exactly where you mean — is lined with boutiques, art galleries, and ice cream stores, all set against clapboard architecture with flowers in full bloom every summer. Duck down the side streets to see the homes up close, or follow the coastal path along the ocean for a slower look at the village.
The gallery scene here is legitimately serious — over a dozen galleries show everything from watercolor to bronze sculpture, modern art, pop art, and glass-blown work. If interior browsing isn’t enough, there’s also a public art walking tour for exploring pieces outdoors, which fits the town’s rugged mellow vibe nicely. Two shops worth a special stop: Sesame + Lilies, where the ground floor holds curated home decor and upstairs is a genuine maze of rooms full of refurbished home goods and vintage items; and, 30 minutes south in Manzanita, Finnesterre, a curated style goods shop where I picked up a wooden necklace I still get compliments on.
Traveling with kids? Cannon Beach has real kid-friendly stops — Bruce’s Candy Kitchen for the classic old-fashioned candy shops experience, and Geppetto’s Toy Shoppe, which stocks beach toys, games, and books. I’ll be honest, Manzanita itself felt a little quiet town, even a touch kitschy stores-heavy for my taste, and some travelers find the whole area a bit clean town and small — but paired with art, nature, and the funky shops dotting both towns, it’s still worth the detour.
Restaurants, Breweries & Food
Food is arguably the best reason to linger in Cannon Beach. Most of it clusters along Hemlock Street, ranging from casual dining and breakfast diners to fine dining, plus a healthy run of breweries, pubs, coffee shops, and pastry shops. For something structured, tackle the North Coast Food Trail — over 60+ participating locations stretching from Astoria to Neskowin — or the North Coast Craft Beer Trail, where you collect a passport stamp at each of 14 participating locations; finish it and redeem your book at the Cannon Beach Information Center for a keepsake Beer Trail mug. Between trail stops, this town has no shortage of brunch spots and at least one solid local coffee spot worth working into the itinerary.
For an actual sit-down meal, Pelican Brewing Company — sometimes just called Pelican Brewing — sits right at the main intersection with open-air seating, pours excellent Oregon craft beer, and serves solid casual fare: burgers, salads, appetizers. Get there before dinnertime to skip the wait time, and don’t skip the beer tastings or beer tasters flight before you order. Public Coast Brewing is another stop worth working into your Beer Trail run.
Mornings belong to Lazy Susan Cafe (sometimes billed as The Lazy Susan), which I’d call the best brunch spot in town hands-down — it’s set inside a repurposed old home near Coaster Square, across from Coaster Theater, doesn’t take reservations, so arrive early, and order scones as a table appetizer while you wait. For coffee, Sleepy Monk is the local favorite; for seafood, the seafood shack at Bell Buoy in Seaside does crab melts so good I’ve made two visits in one trip, ordering my own instead of sharing. Dessert lovers should detour to Astoria for Frites & Scoops, a homemade ice cream shop serving cones in krumkake cone form, with flavors like hokey pokey honey toffee and raspberry jam, alongside fries for the savory-sweet combo.
Traveling with children changes the calculus a bit — the top-rated restaurants, EVOO and Castaways, aren’t particularly built for kid-friendly dining. Instead, aim for The Wayfarer, near the beach, serving seafood west coast fare with a finer dining feel but still offering high chairs, booster seats, a kids coloring activity, a real children’s menu, and even a baby option. Or keep it simple with a coffee breakfast lunch run at Lazy Susan — either way, no reservations needed there.
Enjoy the Beach
Beyond the rock, the shoreline itself is worth its own afternoon. On a sunny weather day, it’s a proper beach day — though the rough water and freezing water here mean most people stick to the sand rather than the surf. When it’s a foggy day or plain overcast day, I actually prefer it; grab blankets, a good book, and settle in for a scenic walk instead. Plenty of hotels sell campfire kits complete with firewood and everything for s’mores — it’s a genuine local campfire tradition, and once the sun sets you’ll see fires on shoreline flickering up and down the beach for a proper nighttime beach scene.
Go Whale Watching
Time your trip to the off-season and you’ve got real odds of spotting gray whales during their migration — this coastline sees roughly 18,000 whales pass along 12,000 miles of coastline each year. spring migration peaks mid-March to mid-April, and winter migration peaks mid-December to mid-January. Good viewpoints include Ecola State Park, or honestly, just book an oceanfront hotel room and watch from bed with your morning coffee.
Discover the Art Scene (Public Art Walking Tour)
Art and nature are the two defining features locals will point to when you ask what makes this place special, and it goes beyond gallery interiors. The public art walking tour takes you past art installations scattered outdoors through town — sculptures tucked into gardens, murals on side walls — so you’re absorbing the creative scene even between shop stops.
Additional Hikes, Beaches & Viewpoints Near Cannon Beach
Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site, 3.5 miles south of town, is where I actually go for a quieter less crowded beach — there’s free parking, plenty of more sand to spread out on, and scattered rock formations to explore. A bit further, Hug Point State Recreation Site sits 5 miles from Cannon Beach, reached through a forested picnic area with restrooms nearby. Head north from the parking area and you’ll find a seasonal waterfall, sandstone caves, and even a historic stagecoach trail with wheel ruts still carved into the rock; you can catch distant Haystack Rock views from here too. There are tidepools at low tide, but check tide times carefully — this stretch traps people at high water more often than you’d think.
Blink and you’ll miss Neahkahnie Viewpoint along Highway 101 south of Cannon Beach, but it’s one of the highest points on the Oregon Coast Trail and delivers genuinely sweeping cliff views. Nearby, Oswald West State Park covers 2,500 acres and 4 miles of coast, with forest and trails including a 13-mile stretch of coast trail running from Arch Cape down toward Manzanita. Cape Falcon and Neahkahnie Mountain offer strong hikes inside the park; there’s no camping, but it is pet-friendly with picnic spots scattered throughout.
Tucked inside that same park is Short Sand Beach, known locally as Shorty’s — a hidden cove reached by a flat, easy 0.5-mile flat trail, popular with boogie boarders and surfers, but just as good for picnicking and relaxing if water sports aren’t your thing. Further south, Nehalem Bay and Nehalem River open up for paddling — rent kayaks and paddleboards right from the dock at Wheeler Marina. Prefer seafood over scenery? Jetty Fishery offers equipment rental, boats, and will even cook your catch for crabbing and clamming trips.
Where to Stay in Cannon Beach with Kids
For families, The Ocean Lodge is hard to beat — right on the beachfront with genuinely unobstructed views and a full water view of Haystack Rock from the room. Rooms are properly family-suited rooms, complete with cribs, high chairs, a small kitchen, mini fridge, and microwave, and the whole property is pet-friendly. Rates start at rates from $129 for standard rooms and $189 ocean view for the good stuff, continental breakfast included; it’s a 3+ star hotel with 95% positive reviews on TripAdvisor. Little touches make it memorable: all-day coffee and cookies, a proper library, a DVD library, and just a genuinely good location for walking everywhere.
The Surfsand Resort is the other standout, a 4-star hotel in the $$$ price range with a fabulous location and its own on-site restaurant, The Wayfarer. It leans into the beach theme with beach s’mores, plus playful turndown service touches like rubber duckies and chocolates, a heated indoor pool for rainy days, and 89% positive reviews from other families.
Day Trip to Tillamook
A 45-minute drive south of Cannon Beach brings you to Tillamook, best known for its Tillamook Cheese Factory. It’s a self-guided tour, free admission, open daily 8am-6pm, and kids genuinely love watching the cheese packaging assembly line in motion, plus a handful of interactive kiosks. You’ll exit, inevitably, through the retail store.
Just off the highway, Blue Heron French Cheese Company runs on seasonal hours (8am-6pm summer, 9am-6pm winter) and functions part attraction part restaurant — kids can visit the farm animals out back while adults browse the Oregon wine selection inside. If the weather cooperates, add the Cape Meares Lighthouse and its Wildlife Refuge to the list — it pulls a 91% recommend rating and is genuinely highly rated on TripAdvisor, though we’ve had to skip it ourselves once thanks to bad weather rolling in.
Practical / Planning Info
To recap the logistics: driving distances run about 3 hours 45 minutes from Seattle and roughly 1 hour 30 minutes from Portland, both figures assuming you’re traveling without traffic. Avoid heavy summer traffic on I-5 and Highway 101 by leaning into shoulder season travel whenever your schedule allows. Before you go, check the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce events calendar for local happenings timed to your visit.
Map of Things to Do
I keep a custom Google Map pinned with every stop mentioned here, both near Cannon Beach and a few recommended spots further south — I add additional stops as I find them, so it’s genuinely updated periodically rather than a one-and-done list.
