Cannon Beach on Oregon’s North Coast is being talked about by travel experts as one of the top destinations for 2024. Although summer is high season, Cannon Beach is a great place to visit year-round. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in this wonderful city during the off-season. Even when it’s not at its “peak” I’m impressed with everything this city has to offer.
Things to know when visiting Cannon Beach, Oregon
![A photo of the view towards Cannon Beach taken at Ecola State Park in Oregon, USA.](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ecola-state-park-oregon.jpg)
Cannon Beach is best known for its combination of nature, art, and small-town coastal charm. Planning a trip to Cannon Beach provides visitors with ample opportunities to have fun between shopping, browsing art galleries, beachcombing, and wildlife viewing. Here are some recommendations for what to see and do on your next visit.
Marvel at Haystack Rock
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 3 Cannon Beach Haystack WOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CannonBeachHaystackWOG.jpg)
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 3 Cannon Beach Haystack WOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CannonBeachHaystackWOG.jpg)
This iconic rock formation rises 75 meters above the edge of the shoreline and is one of Cannon Beach’s most photographed and visited locations. It is a National Wildlife Refuge and is home to active nesting seabirds and colonies of Tufted Puffins in the spring and summer. When the tide goes out, it’s a great place to peek into the tide pools and take Instagram-worthy photos.Many may recognize this peak from the classic 1980s movie goonies As the hero’s search for hidden treasures and adventures. Sunsets at Haystack Rock, even when cloudy, are one of my favorite pastimes at Cannon Beach.
Stroll around the streets and beaches
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 4 Cannon Beach Skyline WOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CannonBeachSkylineWOG.jpg)
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 4 Cannon Beach Skyline WOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CannonBeachSkylineWOG.jpg)
Cannon Beach, Oregon is a very walkable town and a great place to visit a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants. The town’s main street is his S. Hemlock Street, with its sister street, Spruce Street, one block south. On busy summer days, parking and dealing with crowded streets full of tourists are the biggest challenges. Visiting in the off-season is more accessible and more enjoyable. chamber of commerce We will guide you on how to enjoy it on foot.
It’s easy to smell the sweet aromas wafting from Bruce Candy Kitchen and shop for your furry family member at Four Paws on the Beach or Fetch Cannon Beach. Sandpiper Square, Village Center, and Cannon Beach Mall Shopping Plaza have many places to buy a variety of coastal-themed gifts, decorations, and other items. All stores are locally owned and operated; there are no national chains.
Let’s incorporate art
Cannon Beach is known as one of the Northwest’s top art towns, with more than a dozen galleries featuring everything from watercolors and bronze sculptures to glassblowing and contemporary art. Visitors can enjoy art around the city outside the gallery. public art walking tour. On this tour, visitors can see stainless steel waves, metal whale ribs, and a pair of bronze Tufted carvings.
Discover Ecola State Park
Ecola State Park should be at the top of any visitor’s list when visiting Cannon Beach, Oregon. At one end of the park, winding roads and trails wind through old-growth Oregon rainforest and overlook Tillamook Head and Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Meanwhile, visit Indian Beach, popular with surfers, and Crescent Beach, popular for seasonal whale and bird watching. Ecola is one of his starting points for the Tillamook Head Traverse hike. This hike is a scenic and often muddy 10.3-mile one-way hike. A camera is a must, as the views are breathtaking and you may even spot wildlife.
Visit Hug Point and Arcadia Beach
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 5 Hug Point Final WOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HugPointFinalWOG.jpg)
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 5 Hug Point Final WOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/HugPointFinalWOG.jpg)
Another must-see is the 3-mile drive south from Cannon Beach to Hug Point State Recreation Site. The safest and best time to visit this place is at low tide. As you walk north along the beach, you’ll come across waterfalls cascading onto the sand, a sight that dots the coast. Marine life can sometimes be observed in the tide pools at low tide. Additionally, the ocean has carved out sea caves and sandstone cliffs over the years. It’s a new beach area for me, and I plan on visiting it every time in the future.
Another location just south of Cannon Beach is the Arcadia Beach Recreation Site. From Lion Rock beach access, you can stroll the beach as far south as Hug Point or as far north as Silver Point. It is important to be aware of the tides as these areas are accessible at high tide. I always follow a great rule of thumb: “Never turn your back on the sea.”
See the local elk population
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 6 elk pair final kWOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ElkPairFinalkWOG.jpg)
![Explore Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast 6 elk pair final kWOG](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ElkPairFinalkWOG.jpg)
Those visiting Cannon Beach in the summer may not see herds of Roosevelt elk as often as other seasons. That’s because when the number of people in town increases, the moose disappear into the hills. Depending on the season, herds of elk can be seen regularly (almost daily) around town, foraging for snacks in gardens and sleeping on the beach at night. One of the most spectacular sights I witnessed was a large herd crossing the Necanicum River. We recommend observing from a safe and respectful distance, especially when calves are present.
Adventures into the surrounding area
![Seaside, Oregon, USA - January 22, 2023 Seaside City sign marks the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/seaside-oregon-2.jpg)
![Seaside, Oregon, USA - January 22, 2023 Seaside City sign marks the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail](https://wealthofgeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/seaside-oregon-2.jpg)
Many visitors to Cannon Beach come to town to enjoy the tranquility, relaxed pace, and beautiful scenery, so there’s no need to leave. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to Manzanita and Rockaway Beach to the south, or Seaside and Astoria to the north. Astoria is the largest city in the region; Goonies. Visitors can check out movie settings and filming locations and drive across the famous Astoria Megler Bridge, which connects Washington and Oregon.
Where to eat and stay
The authentic experience of visiting Cannon Beach is completed by indulging in the delicious cuisine offered throughout the city. From cozy cafes to fine dining restaurants, the city offers a variety of options. Major staple restaurants include Mo’s Seafood and Chowder and Wayfarer Restaurant on the oceanfront, and The Driftwood Restaurant and Lounge in the heart of downtown. There are also three brewpubs in town, serving local craft beer and delicious food.
there are many options place to stay Cannon Beach offers everything from vacation rentals to small inns and RV resorts. Advance planning is essential during the busy summer months. During the off-season, you can enjoy a more intimate experience in the city while being mindful of weather and traffic hazards.
directions
Many of the top attractions near Cannon Beach must be accessed by car. However, there are other options to get there. By bus twice a day, point Travel from Portland to Cannon Beach and other locations along the coast. Stops in the center of town, within walking distance of downtown. Northwest Connector’s shuttles also provide local service around town and other coastal areas. travel oregonThe state tourism website is car-free itinerary For coastal areas.
Cannon Beach, Oregon has established itself as a top destination to visit among the upscale areas of the Oregon Coast.Its inspiring and picturesque scenery helped national geographic In 2013, we listed it as one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world. An extended stay in Cannon Beach during the off-season left me with a greater appreciation for small town charm, people, and restaurants that I had never known before. I experienced it before. Enjoying this corner of the world is a little piece of heaven.