Top 15 Things to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach is known for its white, sandy beaches and for being one of the most beautiful places in the world. From attractions to activities, folks come to Cannon Beach from all around the world to enjoy its beauty.

The city is small but loaded with a range of natural splendors – beaches, rock formations, tide pools, wildlife, hiking trails – and activities in huge supply – visits to art galleries and museums, dining, shopping, and more.

Here are 15 things to do in Cannon Beach, Oregon:

  1. Haystack Rock
  2. Cannon Beach
  3. Ecola State Park
  4. Hug Point State Recreation Site
  5. Oswald West State Park
  6. Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site
  7. Arcadia Beach Tide Pools
  8. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
  9. Devil’s Cauldron
  10. Wildlife Watching 
  11. Cannon Beach History Center and Museum
  12. Coaster Theatre Playhouse
  13. Art Galleries
  14. Cannon Beach Farmers Market
  15. Trip to Seaside

Read on to learn more about this beautiful place, including its location, when to go, and things to do.

About Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach is a haven for galleries featuring works of popular and emerging Northwest and local artists. Local restaurants, bars, and cafes line the streets. The absence of fast-food eateries preserves the authenticity and local economy of the town.

Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon

Throughout the year, cultural festivals draw crowds from everywhere. In June, the city hosts the annual Cannon Beach sandcastle contest. In July, there’s the Independence Day Parade, and by September – the Earth and Ocean Arts Festival and the Annual Fall Festival.

Where Is Cannon Beach?

The coastal city of Cannon Beach is in northwest Oregon, Clatsop County. It is known as a weekend getaway for many residents and tourists, especially being close to Portland. A drive from Portland to Cannon Beach is only 1.5 hours, roughly 80 miles.

When to Visit

Head to Cannon Beach between July and September, when the weather is warm and dry. It is also the time when tourists and locals flock to the Oregon coast.

Hotels

The best hotels in Cannon Beach are the oceanfront accommodations that are stylish yet affordable:

  • Hallmark Resort in Cannon Beach
  • Inn at Cannon Beach
  • The Ocean Lodge

Cannon Beach vacation rentals have full amenities, including updated furnishings, such as the Starfish Vacation Rentals with a slew of different properties. Beach resorts are also available, such as in Tolovana Park.

Shopping

Shopping at Cannon Beach is a breeze. There are artisan shops, boutiques, specialty shops, stores that sell health products, toys, books, home décor, and surf/outdoor merchandise. It’s tax-free if you shop Downtown.

Restaurants in Cannon Beach

Some of the best eateries in Cannon Beach are:

  • Lazy Susan Café
  • Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge
  • Wayfarer Restaurant
  • Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters
  • Cabins Restaurant
  • Castaways
  • Newmans at 988
  • Pizza a’fetta
  • Ecola Seafoods
  • Pelican Brewing

Downtown

The downtown area is just 0.4 miles from the heart of Cannon Beach and is notable for its beach access. Hallmark Resort, Surfsand Resort, Sea Breeze Court, Land’s End at Cannon Beach, and Lighthouse Inn are some of the best places to stay. The top attractions Downtown are the Coaster Theatre and Cannon Beach History Center and Museum.

15 Things to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon

1. Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock is the icon of coastal Oregon. It’s a stunning rock formation, rising 235 feet out of the sand just near the shore. Formed by lava flows long ago, it also shaped the rest of the state’s rugged coastline. This monolith is designated a National Wildlife Refuge. Marine and wildlife abound in and around its tide pools. The famous seabird, Tufted Puffin, makes this rock a nesting spot, especially during spring or summer.

Cannon Beach, Sand, Oregon

Oregon’s famous landmark can be reached and climbed at low tide. See colorful sea stars and snap pictures of the rock’s silhouette against the setting sun on the beach. You cannot miss Haystack Rock when you visit the Oregon coast. It’s one of the best things to do in Cannon Beach.

2. Cannon Beach

The beaches of Cannon Beach are certainly the city’s attraction and where Oregonians go during any season. There are four miles of sandy beach stretching between Cannon Beach and the Pacific Ocean. It extends from the north at Chapman Point to the south at Silver Point. And in the middle is the iconic Haystack Rock.

Cannon Beach has many access points via several of the state parks. It offers a perfect setting for families, couples, groups, and almost anyone from all walks of life for – strolling, building bonfires, wildlife viewing, sandcastle building, and beachcombing. It’s also a dog-friendly wonderland. Aside from surfing and swimming, other favorite beach activities are sunbathing, boogie boarding, and kite flying.

3. Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park is found north of Cannon Beach and stretches nine miles of scenic and serene shoreline. Founded in 1932, it consists only of 43 acres.

The small park is atop Tillamook Head overlooking Cannon Beach. You can explore it by driving Ecola Park Road, which meanders through rainforest and spruce forest landscapes, hidden coves, and grassy bluffs. The main attractions include Indian Beach, Ecola Point, and hiking trails, such as the Oregon Coast Trail and the Clatsop Loop Trail. So if hiking is your passion, this is one of your top options for hiking near Cannon Beach.

Ecola State Park is also home to diverse birds and wildlife like elk, eagles, and whales. It also has interesting archaeological sites related to the Tillamook Indians and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

4. Hug Point State Recreation Site 

Hug Point State Recreation Site is small but breathtaking. There are deep-sea caves in the sandstone, unique geological formations, and a waterfall running down the cliff. Hug Point is also a park to do fun things, like swimming, beachcombing, fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Walking along the beach is popular, as well as exploring the sea caves and the rock formations.

Hug Point is between Manzanita and 5 miles south of Cannon Beach. It used to be a route for stagecoaches before the highway was built. In the late 19th century, stagecoaches used to get around that infamous corner or point along the coastline by almost ‘hugging’ the corner; hence, Hug Point’s name. Don’t miss Hug Point. It is one of the best things to do near Cannon Beach.

5. Oswald West State Park

Oswald West State Park is a beautiful 2,448-acre state park that spans 4 miles along the Oregon Coast. It has a network of trails stretching miles through temperate rainforests, with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean and the white sandy beaches. Along the trails, you will find some of Oregon’s largest and oldest Sitka spruce trees. Around the lush natural landscape, also find meadows, creeks, and waterfalls.

Oswald West State Park

The powder-white Short Sand Beach, a hot spot for surfers, is also here. It offers swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, picnicking and hiking. For serious hikers, there’s the Neahkahnie Mountain, Cape Falcon, and Devil’s Cauldron.

All sorts of outdoor enthusiasts – beachgoers, surfers, hikers – favor Oswald West’s natural splendor. It is truly a gem of a place, one of the most stunning coastal parks in Oregon. It’s another excellent option for hiking near Cannon Beach.

6. Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site

Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site is on Cannon Beach’s south end. The name means “river of sticks.” Its beaches are sandy, landscape wind-swept, and there are local flora and fauna, too. You will not miss the majestic views of Haystack Rock and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. 

Outdoor recreational activities include beachcombing, sunbathing, swimming, exploring, and hiking. You can also fly a kite, build sandcastles, or picnic. There are restrooms but no public outdoor shower facilities. There’s a playground for kids at the recreation site. Boutiques and local eateries are nearby. Also, this is a dog-friendly beach.

7. Arcadia Beach Tide Pools

The best time to experience tide pools is a very low tide. While tide pools at Haystack Rock and Hug Point are the best experiences, those at Arcadia State Recreation Site come in third (or even tied with Hug Point because they are neighbors). The beach is located a mile south of Cannon Beach, between two headlands, Humbug to the north and Hug Point to the south.

Arcadia Beach is beautiful, with a lot of hidden tide pools within the rocks and sea caves. There are also rock formations and a waterfall. At the bottom of the tide pools, you’ll find many sea stars, sea anemones, hermit crabs, mussels, and urchins, similarly at Hug Point. You may also see small sculpins, limpets, nudibranchs, giant acorn barnacles, plume worms, and porcelain crabs close to the access at the north end. Note that the ground used to be a road where stagecoach horses ran.

8. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

Known as ‘Terrible Tilly,’ the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is another must-see in the list of unique things to do in Cannon Beach. Standing 19 meters high, only 1.2 miles offshore from Tillamook Head, the 1881-built lighthouse sits atop a basalt sea stack of less than an acre wide in the Pacific Ocean. It can be viewed from Ecola State Park and Cannon Beach.

Its purpose is to protect ships and sailors that navigate the North Coast of Oregon. However, rough seas and frequent storms lambast the structure resulting in some lives lost for its keepers and suppliers. After it has suffered considerable damage from nature, it has since been decommissioned and is now privately owned. However, adding to its drama, the structure was converted into a sea columbarium in the 1980s, home to urns of cremated human remains. Its license was later revoked in 1999.

9. Devil’s Cauldron 

Another attraction that should be in your unique things to do in Cannon Beach is a hike to Devil’s Cauldron. It’s a cove, surrounded by high cliffs rising 3,000 feet, just a mile from the shoreline between Tillamook Head and Nehalem Bay. It is in Oswald West State Park. The site is like no other on the coast of Oregon. It is an unusually compressed and biogeographically concentrated ecosystem.

The view at the top of the cliffs is impressive, looking straight down to the narrow bottom. From an overlook, you can watch the waves crash into the cliffs and churn and froth. The trail is rocky, steep, and muddy in some spots, but the reward is the spectacular view of Devil’s Cauldron.

10. Wildlife Watching 

Cannon Beach has various ecosystems that include beaches and rocky shores, woodlands and wetlands, and estuaries. They are perfect habitats for birds, and there are lots of them here. There are Tufted Puffins, Common Murres, Brown Pelicans, and Bald Eagles. This has made Cannon Beach a part of the National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for bird watchers.

Photographer, Oregon Coast

Whale watching in Cannon Beach is another popular activity. If you’re lucky, you can witness a huge Grey Whale migration past the shore every spring and winter. There are other whales you can spy off the coast, but grey whales are the most common.

Herds of Roosevelt Elk can be seen out of the edges of the surrounding rainforest when they go to graze in the coastal meadows in the early mornings or the late evenings.

11. Cannon Beach History Center and Museum

This small museum offers talks, tours, historical artifacts, memorabilia, interactive exhibits, archeological finds, and rotating and traveling exhibits of all kinds.

The museum features a Native American longhouse replica, objects from the Great Depression, and World War II. They keep one historic cannon after which the seaside town is named.

12. Coaster Theatre Playhouse

One of the Cannon Beach list of things to do that should not be missed is an evening at the Coaster Theatre. It started as a skating rink until it was bought by a Portland patron and was renamed Coaster Theatre. Upon the owner’s demise in 2001, it became a non-profit organization and continues the tradition of creating and sharing plays, musicals, and special performances. They also hold auditions and workshops.

It’s not just to provide entertainment and promote theater in Cannon Beach but also to enhance the city’s cultural and civic character. The site may be small but makes up for it in talent. Locals and visitors of all ages enjoy the productions amid positive and happy reviews. They have staged Shakespeare, mystery-thrillers, concerts, comedies, and more.

13. Art Galleries 

Did you know that Cannon Beach has over 15 art galleries? Many are within short blocks in Downtown, while some are in Midtown. All are original works by local, regional ­and nationally-known artists. Festivals throughout the year are held to celebrate art in the city. Visiting art galleries is one of the top Cannon Beach things to do.

The most popular art galleries are: Icefire Glassworks, a workshop that features crafted blown glass and fused glass works; Northwest By Northwest Gallery, features original art (sculpture, photography, paintings) by regional masters; Jeffrey Hull Gallery, showcases works by the self-taught painter; White Bird Gallery, one of the first galleries to fully incorporate fine art with fine craft; and DragonFire Gallery, 20 years of Northwest art in a vibrant, contemporary setting.

14. Cannon Beach Farmers Market

Find the market in the city hall parking lot, on the corners of Hemlock and Gower Street in Midtown Cannon Beach. Vendors offer a wide variety of products, all edible, plus flowers as well.

Aside from prepared foods to eat and entertainment, see a wide array of fresh produce, pasture-raised meat, organic cheeses, wild-caught seafood, and hand-crafted artisan food products. This is one of the best shopping in Cannon Beach.

The CBFM is just a stroll away from downtown Cannon Beach’s renowned shopping district. Midtown is home to great restaurants and art galleries and not too far from the beach and the iconic Haystack Rock.

15. Trip to Seaside

Located 15 minutes north of Cannon Beach is the popular resort town of Seaside, sometimes called the “Jewel of the Oregon Coast.” The town is historic, nostalgic, and has a family-friendly vibe. It’s famous for a lot of things, like its seafood dishes, Seaside clam chowder. It is the best. One of their stores, Phillips Candies, is world-famous for taffy. Their 1.5-mile-long oceanfront promenade is a great attraction – people stroll, bike, jog, or simply watch other people. Seaside has three unique shopping districts plus many dining options to booth.

Seaside has one of the biggest, beautiful beaches in Oregon. The waterways are scenic, and a lot of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats go around. Making a side trip to Seaside is one of the best things to do near Cannon Beach.

Conclusion: Top 15 Things to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon 

Cannon Beach, Oregon

So, what are the 15 Top Things to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon? Here are our top picks again:

  1. Haystack Rock
  2. Cannon Beach
  3. Ecola State Park
  4. Hug Point State Recreation Site
  5. Oswald West State Park
  6. Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site
  7. Arcadia Beach Tide Pools
  8. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
  9. Devil’s Cauldron
  10. Wildlife Watching 
  11. Cannon Beach History Center and Museum
  12. Coaster Theatre Playhouse
  13. Art Galleries
  14. Cannon Beach Farmers Market
  15. Trip to Seaside

What is not to like about Cannon Beach? The Oregon coastal city offers magical, natural wonders that locals and visitors seek at different times of the year.

The sandy Cannon Beach itself, the other public beaches in pristine state parks, the unique rock formations, stunning flora and fauna, and incredible sunsets make this little city one of the most beautiful places in the Northwest and this part of the globe. Added to these is the abundance of attractions just nearby – exceptional accommodations, shops and boutiques, restaurants, cafes, galleries, theaters, museums, and more. It completes the picture of the perfect getaway that is Cannon Beach. One does not have to look very far.

Kris Peter

A positive individual enjoying the journey, and always searching for adventure. I created Sunlight Living to help my parents (and eventually myself) prepare for retirement. About Kris

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