Cannon Beach, Oregon had been on my bucket list for a LONG time, and I finally made it there!
In this Cannon Beach travel guide, I walk you through everything you need to know about this area, including how to get there, the best things to do, hotel and restaurant recommendations, and more.
About Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a picturesque seaside town on Oregon’s coast. It’s been a popular vacation spot for quite some time, home to a sandcastle-building contest since the 1960s and named one of National Geographic’s “100 most beautiful places in the world” in 2013. Today, it’s an easy drive from Portland, and a relaxing place to enjoy seaside life in Oregon.
How to Get to Cannon Beach
To get to Cannon Beach, fly into Portland International Airport and rent a car. Once you navigate through Portland, it’s an easy drive on Highway 26 West. Here’s a map showing the 1 hour, 30 minute trip. Once you arrive, you won’t need your car to explore the town, but definitely enjoy checking out Highway 101, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway. This highway spans the coastline from Washington to Los Angeles, with scenic views along the way.
The Town of Cannon Beach, Oregon
If you enjoy seaside towns, with their salt water air, vibrant flowers and cedar shingles, Cannon Beach is for you. The town itself is small, with less than 1,600 residents, and a walkable city center that sits right by the ocean. In addition to shops and restaurants, you’ll find homes, inns and hotels in Cannon Beach. Think of it as a smaller, quieter Cape Cod mixed with the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Things to Do in and around Cannon Beach
There’s a lot to see and do along the Oregon coast and in Cannon Beach. Here are a few of my best recommendations:
Visit Haystack Rock
Cannon Beach is perhaps most famous for Haystack Rock, a 235 ft-tall, monolithic rock that’s steps from the town of Cannon Beach. Not only a beautiful backdrop, its crystal-clear tide pools are home to crabs, starfish, sea anemone and other sea life. While you’re in town, you’ll definitely want to devote an hour or two to exploring Haystack Rock, its tide pools and the surrounding beach.
Explore Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach can be explored in several hours, as it’s fairly compact. But don’t let its small size fool you – Cannon Beach is home to 15 art galleries and several craft breweries, such as Public Coast Brewing Co. I also enjoyed the old-fashioned candy shop, Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, where you’ll find saltwater taffy and other sweets.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay in Cannon Beach, my best advice is to book your accommodations early! There’s a limited supply of vacation rentals and hotel rooms in Cannon Beach, and visitors often stay in nearby towns such as Gearhart, Seaside and Manzanita. With that said, there are two standout properties in Cannon Beach:
Stephanie Inn
2740 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
The gorgeous Stephanie Inn has been named one of the “top 15 beach resorts in the United States” by Travel + Leisure. This oceanfront hotel also offers an on-site restaurant and spa.
Lodges at Cannon Beach
132 E Surfcrest Ave, Cannon Beach, OR 97110
If you prefer to have more space, as well as a kitchen and garage, consider booking the Lodges at Cannon Beach. These beautiful, updated condos make for a convenient home base for your trip to the Oregon Coast.
Cannon Beach Travel Guide: Where to Eat
For breakfast, make the 18-minute drive from Cannon Beach to the tiny seaside town of Gearhart, Oregon. There, you’ll find The Pacific Way Bakery and Cafe, pictured above. Here, you’ll find coffee and pastries served 8 am until noon Thursday through Sunday.
In Cannon Beach, don’t miss Sleepy Monk Coffee for excellent coffee and pastries.
For lunch and dinner in Cannon Beach, head to Bistro for an eclectic, cozy atmosphere or to the dining room at Stephanie Inn for more formal dining.
Nearby Things to Do
In addition to Cannon Beach and the surrounding towns, don’t forget you have an entire coastline of scenic views and little seaside towns to check out! My husband and I spent a whole day driving coastal Highway 101 from Gearhart, Oregon, just north of Cannon Beach, to Oceanside, Oregon, pictured above.
In addition to driving the 101, outdoor enthusiasts may enjoy Ecola State Park. Just three miles north of Cannon Beach, you can hike, picnic and enjoy views of Haystack Rock in this state park that spans 9 miles of the Oregon coastline.
Cannon Beach Travel Guide: In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this Cannon Beach travel guide! It’s such a beautiful, peaceful place and somewhere I hope to visit again someday. For more information, see their official tourism website.
You can also find my other travel guides to US destinations here, as well as more travel inspiration on Instagram.
