Location: Cannon Beach
Top Things to do in Cannon Beach
Things to do in Cannon Beach, Oregon (OR): The Best Outdoor Activities
With the distinctive Haystack Rock and Needles marking its shoreline, Cannon Beach is one of Oregon's quaintest and most picturesque destinations. Nine miles of beach make a perfect setting for strolling along the seaside, watching diverse wildlife in its natural habitat and building a sand castle in the annual sand castle building contest. With strict regulations in place limiting the infiltration of large chain stores or restaurants, Cannon Beach retains its small town charm.
Restaurants in Cannon Beach
1. Haystack Rock
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,201 reviews
Haystack Rock is a unique 235 feet monolith that attracts wildlife and tourists alike and is part of the Oregon Coast’s geological history, formed millions of year ago by lava flows that created many of the dramatic capes and headlands along the coast. Haystack Rock is protected under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a seabird nesting colony and it is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is a State protected Marine Garden. The Rock is home to nesting seabirds in the summer and marine invertebrates all year. Tidepool seekers are beckoned by its wonders every day. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is a stewardship and environmental educational program whose mission is to protect, through education, the intertidal and bird ecology of the Marine Garden and Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge at Haystack Rock. HRAP offers an extensive interpretive program on the beach during the spring and summer months around low tide.
Reviewed By CreateCourageAdvent - Salem, United States
Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach is a huge Oregon Coast attraction. At 235 feet tall, this basalt beauty is one of the best-known symbols of the Oregon Coast in general and an image you see on every Oregon Coast Travel Blog out there (including this one!) At low tide you can explore vast tidepools and walk all the way to the rock itself. Tufted Puffins, Bald Eagles, Brown Pelicans, Common Murres, and many other birds are abundantly present on and around Haystack Rock depending on the season making this location a Pacific Northwest birdwatchers dream come true.
2. Cannon Beach Surf Lessons & Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Professional Surf Lessons and surf rentals in beautiful Cannon Beach, Oregon. Surf Lessons backed by over 15 years of teaching at our local beaches! Full surf rentals available including, longboards, shortboards, boogie boards, wetsuits, booties, gloves. Let's Go Surfing!
3. Indian Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By ShahnKarenH - Portland, United States
This is an amazing beach that can be reached by an incredible 2 mile hike from the Ecola State park parking lot. Or you can drive down there through wonderful old growth trees. However traffic can be crazy
4. Cannon Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,470 reviews
Reviewed By AeneasAtSea - Salt Lake City, United States
Cannon Beach is perhaps the most popular beach along the northern Oregon coast, because if its direct and easy access from Portland. And since it's fronted by numerous vacation hotels, condos, etc., it's also one of the most crowded. But if you're not looking for solitude (if you are, drive south a few miles to Arcadia or another nearby beach), the people can be a fun added ingredient. By its famous landmark haystack rock there are tide pools at low tide and puffins to see, so it's a fun beach for kids. And it stretches north and south for quite a ways, so you can walk in the sand and surf to your heart's content. There are several public restrooms at key beach access and parking lot points. Expect to spend a while searching for parking, so plan accordingly. Hemlock Street is the main drag, a block east of the beach, with lots of fun restaurants, stores, galleries, candy venues, a glass blowing studio/store, etc., so it's as much fun as the beach itself. Remember that the coast is typically about 20 degrees cooler than inland, so bring a hoodie or light jacket even on hot days.
5. Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By 25thurmank
We always Stop here, because the Ocean is a Stones Throw, and so Nice to Watch the Waves & People Enjoying Walking or Sitting on the Beach.
6. Family FUNcycles
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 13 reviews
7. Tree Hugger Treks LLC
We strive to provide the best hiking experiences possible to make your memories of Oregon unforgettable. Whether you’re joining us to explore the coast, chase waterfalls, or watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean from a mountaintop, we look forward to safely guiding you through one of America’s most scenic states while giving you an educational hiking experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
8. Cannon Beach Surf
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
