Cannon Beach, OR

Address:Cannon Beach, Oregon

Don't visit Cannon Beach without your camera! The rugged, natural beauty of forests, ocean beaches, and rivers along Oregon's coast surrounds the exquisite rugged shoreline. The beach is known for enormous Haystack Rock that sits just offshore, and has been designated its own National Wilderness Area. The lone boulder is an iconic landmark in Pacific coast photography. The beach's downtown area offers great shopping, art galleries and local restaurants.

Nine miles of wide, walkable beach are perfect for relaxing, swimming and taking in the scenic beauty of the seastacks offshore and onshore headlands. Fly a kite, look for sea creatures in the tidepools, or take pictures of famous Haystack Rock and its neighbors, the Needles, two tall rocks rising straight out of the water. Standing an impressive 235 feet high, Haystack is the third largest coastal monolith in the world. It is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is a designated National Wilderness Area. The area below the rock is referred to as a marine garden, with tide pools rich with marine life such as seastars, anemones, crabs, algae, and more. The rock and marine garden are amazing to see, but it is important to know that they are both very vulnerable to human disturbance. Research shows that in a small area everything can be killed with just 200 steps an hour, so please be careful and try to walk only on bare rock. Collecting is strictly prohibited. Over 2,000 seabirds nest on Haystack Rock each year. If viewing the rock from shore you might see the Tufted puffin, Pigeon guillemot, Black oystercatcher, Pelagic cormorant and others. These birds, too, are extremely sensitive to human disturbance. Getting too close to them can result in nest abandonment, dead chicks, and failure to reproduce. Climbing is not allowed anywhere on Haystack Rock. Federal and state law requires boats to remain at least 500 feet away and any aircraft (including gliders) must stay at a minimum of 2,000 ft away.

For hikers, there are many trails to the water through the thick conifer forests of Ecola State Park. From the parking lot, trails lead to several viewing points within the park. Take the trail up around the point for an excellent view of "Terrible Tilly," Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Bring your binoculars! Twice a year whales can be seen during their migration. The six-mile Tillamook Head Trail runs from Cannon Beach to Seaside. The trail is the same one followed by Lewis and Clark. There is also a two-mile horseshoe trail to Indian Beach and Indian Creek. From the trailhead at Indian Creek, the trail leads up to Indian Point for more breathtaking views, including an excellent view of Terrible Tilly. Ecola Point, near Ecola State Park, has a viewpoint and picnic area, where you can see the whole panorama of Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock and the Coast Range. This spectacular view is one of the most photographed on the Oregon coast.

History lovers should visit the Cannon Beach Historical Society. The modern, well-designed exhibits tell the story of the town's past, from Lewis and Clark's visit, to the history of tourism here. The society explains that Cannon Beach was named for a cannon that was discovered on the beach in 1846. The U.S. Navy schooner Shark was wrecked while trying to leave the Columbia River, and a large piece of the schooner's deck with a cannon and capstan attached washed up on the beach.

Downtown Cannon Beach is filled with small businesses with a special emphasis on the arts. Some of the best crafts, shopping and galleries on the Oregon coast are located here. The city is planned for strolling so you will see plenty of people visiting the quaint bookstores, shops and bistros. Because of its proximity to Portland, Cannon Beach is particularly known as a weekend getaway spot for Portlanders. Despite the crowds, Cannon Beach still has a village atmosphere. You won't find chain stores here.

Most eateries in Cannon Beach are located on North and South Hemlock streets with several others a bit further south. Overall, you will find seafood and European, French, Italian and American food including a steakhouse. At The Wayfarer Restaurant in the Surfsand Resort or at Mo's Restaurant, you can view Haystack Rock while you dine.

If you're coming to Cannon Beach with family, consider renting a house, cottage or apartment. B & Bs and inns can be found all along the beach, with many in the center of town. If you want to rough it, walk-in campgrounds are available just south of Cannon Beach, in Oswald West State Park.

Cannon Beach is located in Northwest Oregon, off U.S. Highway 101. The town is served by either Seaside Municipal Airport or Astoria Regional Airport. Once you are in town, a shuttle runs along the beach from north to the south.