Cannon Beach

Conveniently located just a 90-minute drive west of Portland, Cannon Beach is a popular getaway for Portlanders and is an easily accessible day trip or mini-vacation. The town is also a popular tourist destination and often included on tours of the Oregon coast.

The iconic 235-foot (71.6-meter) Haystack Rock—located at the Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site and protected as a national wildlife refuge—is what sets Cannon Beach apart from other nearby coastal towns. The rock is surrounded by bountiful tide pools and diverse birdlife and is the backdrop for most Cannon Beach photos.

• Cannon Beach offers an idyllic coastal escape for people who want to get out of Portland but don’t have much time to spare.

• If you want to stay overnight, be sure to make reservations in advance. Accommodation in the small town fills up in the summertime.

• There is wheelchair and stroller access to Tolovana Beach. Beach wheelchairs are available at the Cannon Beach City Hall building.

• Bring warm layers and rain gear as the weather in Cannon Beach is unpredictable, even in summer.

Cannon Beach is located just off Highway 101, making it a convenient stop on a road trip along the west coast. From Portland, take Highway 26 West to Highway 101 South. If you want to skip the hassle of driving and enjoy the sights along the way, take a guided tour that includes round-trip transportation.

The weather is typically hottest and driest in July and August. This is also the high point of the popular summer season, so if you visit in the summer be sure to arrive early in the day to find parking. The best time to explore the national wildlife refuge surrounding Haystack Rock is at low tide.

Cannon Beach provides an excellent base for exploring the many coastal trails and state parks along the coast. North of Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park where you can enjoy lush forests, beach walks, and bluff views from the Crescent Beach and Clatsop Loop trails. South of town, Oswald West State Park offers scenic hikes along the Cape Falcon Trail and Elk Flats Trail.

Yes, Cannon Beach is definitely worth visiting. The dramatic rock formations on the beach–including the famous Haystack Rock–are very photogenic and interesting to look at when you’re taking a beach walk. The town of Cannon Beach has excellent restaurants and boutiques, and the nearby Ecola State Park is a fun hiking destination.

Most travelers will be happy spending one or two days in Cannon Beach, but a third day is worthwhile if you’d like to hike in the coastal Ecola State Park nearby. As it’s a 90-minute drive from Portland, Cannon Beach is ideal for a relaxing weekend break from the city.

Both Seaside and Cannon Beach are worth visiting, and which you prefer depends on your interests. Seaside is much larger than Cannon Beach (although it’s still relatively small, with a population of around 7,200), so Cannon Beach is more peaceful and laid back. Seaside is especially renowned for its surfing, and Cannon Beach is famous for its dramatic rock formations.

Summer (June–August) is an ideal time to visit Cannon Beach if you want to spend time outdoors as the weather is generally warm–there’s even a sandcastle competition in June. However, there’s no reason to avoid visiting in winter. Cannon Beach is a popular winter storm and whale watching destination, which is best in winter and early spring.

Yes, you can often see whales from Cannon Beach. Around 18,000 gray whales pass by twice yearly on their migration between Alaska and Baja California. Mid-March to mid-April and mid-December to mid-January are the best times to see the whales. Oregon State Parks volunteers help visitors spot the whales at peak times.

Yes, you can swim in the sea at Cannon Beach, but note a few essential safety tips. The currents can be substantial (rip currents are common), and rogue logs can pose a hazard to swimmers. Also, the sea here can be very cold. Wearing a wetsuit is advisable, even in summer.