Cannon Beach
Famous for Haystack Rock towering 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline, long sandy stretches of beach and beautiful State Parks nearby, Cannon Beach offers an exceptional Oregon Coast experience only 90 minutes from Portland. A walk along the beach is a visual treat, with ever-changing vistas of ocean, mountains and rugged coastal outcroppings including Haystack Rock, a National Wildlife Refuge where visitors will discover colorful tide pools and nesting seabirds including Tufted Puffins. Just minutes from downtown Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park, perched dramatically on the edge of a headland and offering panoramic coastal views, easy walking paths to scenic picnic areas and extensive hiking trails.
The picturesque small-town village by the sea is easily walkable and visitors can explore meandering pathways, enjoy public art and courtyards spilling over with flowers. Known as one of the Northwest’s top art towns, Cannon Beach is filled with art galleries, specialty shops, cafes and fine dining restaurants. Visitors can watch glassblowers at work in their studio or attend year-round live theater performances. A wide selection of luxurious oceanfront lodgings overlook this remarkable stretch of coastline, putting visitors just steps from scenic wonders and minutes from outstanding recreation areas and exceptional Oregon Coast sightseeing.
The beauty of Cannon Beach has not gone unnoticed. Featured in Stephen Leatherman’s book, America’s Best Beaches, Cannon Beach was rated Best Overall Beach in the state of Oregon. It was named one of America’s Best 100 Art Towns by author John Villani and National Geographic listed Cannon Beach as “one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places” in their June 2013 issue.
Major annual events include the Northwest’s longest running sandcastle contest; arts festivals including the Stormy Weather Arts Festival, Spring Unveiling and Plein Air & More; a yoga festival and the Savor Cannon Beach Wine & Culinary Festival.
Featured activities
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Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
West of Tillamook Head, this lighthouse was constructed on top of a rock 1.2 miles seaward off Tillamook Head in 1881. The construction of this particular lighthouse was thought to be incredibly risky, but its five workers beat the odds. Because this lighthouse was built on a rock, it is not accessible to the public. However, visitors can easily see it and a beautiful view of the surrounding ocean from Ecola State Park and Seaside. This lighthouse stands 133 feet above sea level with 62-foot-high tower on basalt rock islet. Exposure to storm waves led to the nickname "Terrible Tilly." It was replaced by a whistle buoy in 1957 and is the only privately owned Oregon coast lighthouse on the National Registry of Historic Places; now used as a columbarium, a storage place for ashes of the deceased.
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Coaster Theatre Playhouse
The Coaster Theatre Playhouse has been a vibrant part of the artistic community in Cannon Beach since 1972. From its early beginnings as the Coaster Roller Rink in the 1920’s, this historic site operated as a skating rink through the 1950’s. In 1972 the building was purchased by Maurie Clark, a Portland patron of the arts and the Coaster Theatre was founded. The Coaster Theatre’s inaugural season brought the PSU Summer Stock Company to Cannon Beach and the first Dicken’s Play that began a memorable holiday tradition and remains a wonderful theatrical experience years later. In 2001 the theatre became a not-for-profit organization and each year the Coaster Theatre Playhouse produces 5 plays and 2 musicals in addition to special events selected to entertain all visitors to the Oregon coast.
Featured dining
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Public Coast Brewing Co.
Public Coast Brewing proudly celebrates three great Oregon traditions: our 363 miles of publicly owned coastline, delicious craft beers brewed on site, and tasty Northwest food. We use fresh, local ingredients whenever possible, to bring you the juiciest burgers, fresh-catch fish and chips, house-made root beer, delicious stout shakes, and the best onion rings on the Coast. Lots of indoor seating, a seasonal, dog-friendly outdoor patio, wrap-around bar, big windows onto the beer-making process and a fun selection of kid’s activities will keep everyone entertained. Stop in for our weekly small-batch beers with unusual recipes and seasonal flavors, or grab a growler to go.
Featured accommodations
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Beachcombers NW - Cannon Beach
Choose from over 400 Oregon Coast vacation rentals, featuring oceanfront, pet friendly, romantic getaways, and large group accommodations. Use our unique regional search categories or search the entire coast to discover your perfect vacation getaway. Whether you’re looking for an oceanfront house, a luxury condo, or a cozy cottage, we can help. Click on the email, calendar, or book direct links for current availability and rate quotes. Book direct & save!
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The Ocean Lodge
Of all Cannon Beach hotels, The Ocean Lodge offers the most unique and romantic lodging on the Oregon coast, just steps away from the iconic Haystack Rock. Our aim is to provide the perfect medium for a multi-generational family experience. The Ocean Lodge library - a beloved feature of the inn - offers literature for everyone from our most mature to our youngest guests. We stock a vast library of movies from all genres, and games such as bocce ball, chess and cards to stimulate playful interaction. Sand castle building and beach combing remain the most favored family activities. Another guest favorite is our cookie jar, filled with homemade cookies. We are also Pet Friendly!
Featured Events
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Savor Cannon Beach Wine & Culinary Festival
Visit WebsiteTaste some of the Northwest’s finest wines in one of the world’s most beautiful places.
The Savor Cannon Beach Wine & Culinary Festival offers a series of unique wine tasting experiences including the opportunity to taste some of the top award-winning wines from recent wine competitions paired with chef-designed appetizers. The most popular event of the festival is the Saturday Wine Walk which features over 40 Northwest wineries pouring tastings at Cannon Beach art galleries, restaurants and retail shops, all within easy walking distance in this compact beach community. In addition to ticketed festival events, the towns restaurants, galleries and shops feature a weekend full of tastings, special dinners and other events.
For more info
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Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce
2nd & Spruce, PO Box 64
Cannon Beach, Oregon 97110
Information Center: (503) 436-2623
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cannonbeach.org
