Cannon Beach: Coast, Nature and Culture

Cannon Beach combines a distinctive coastal landscape with nature experiences, tide watching, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Those looking for a vacation rental in Cannon Beach can plan their stay according to their preferred travel rhythm: between beach and ocean, hiking trails in Ecola State Park, exhibitions, theater, and seasonal events.

Haystack Rock and the Protected Coast

The best-known landmark is Haystack Rock, a monolith formed as a sea stack that rises 235 feet from the Pacific Ocean. The rock is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and is located in a state-protected marine environment. At low tide, the tide pools at Haystack Rock are accessible. From February through October, the Haystack Rock Awareness Program operates a Beach Interpreter Program each year. The interpreters are present on the beach during every daytime low tide, making observation of the coastal environment a special part of the stay.

Wildlife also shapes travel planning. Bird Rocks at Chapman Point are home to a dense colony of common murres from spring through midsummer. Gray whales can often be observed directly off the coast of Cannon Beach; the typical spring migration of gray whales along the Oregon coast reaches its peak from mid-March to mid-April.

Trails for Different Day Plans

Ecola State Park extends along nine miles of coastline between Seaside and Cannon Beach. It is accessible via Ecola Park Road at the northern end of Cannon Beach. The three-mile Clatsop Loop Trail begins at Indian Beach, passes through a rainforest, and reaches a viewpoint overlooking the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. The Tillamook Head Trail follows the route used by the explorers to reach Cannon Beach.

For a shorter walk, the public art walk is a good option: the 1.4-mile route takes 45 minutes and leads to seven public art installations. The Cannon Beach Nature Trail connects a boardwalk through wetlands with a path through a spruce forest and views along a stream. This makes it possible to take different ideas for each day into account when choosing accommodation, without planning every outing according to the same pattern.

Art, History and Local Events

The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum offers interactive exhibitions and houses the cannon after which Cannon Beach was named. An annual guided tour presents the town's historic cottages and dream homes and is accompanied by an event weekend. The Coaster Theatre, a nonprofit organization in Cannon Beach, Oregon, presents live theater and events for residents and visitors of all ages on the northern Oregon coast.

The Cannon Beach Gallery presents new exhibitions every month, as well as juried exhibitions on a regular basis. In spring, the art galleries showcase the latest works by their featured artists at the Spring Unveiling Arts Festival. The Stormy Weather Arts Festival includes artist demonstrations, a concert, hands-on workshops, artist receptions, and street musician performances throughout the town.

The Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest is a tradition in its own right. It is considered the first and oldest sandcastle competition in Oregon and was founded in 1964 after a tsunami triggered by the Good Friday Earthquake washed away the Elk Creek Bridge. The competition takes place on the beach west of Ocean Avenue near Madison Street.

The Right Location for Your Trip

When looking for a vacation rental, it is worthwhile to decide early on what you want to focus on during your stay. Those who primarily want to experience the coastal landscape, tides, and Ecola State Park can take the location near the access road via Ecola Park Road into consideration. For a stay focused on art, history, and events, the offerings in Cannon Beach itself are the main attraction. The various trails, nature observations, and cultural events make it possible to combine active days with more relaxed discoveries.

For additional destinations to consider when planning your trip, you can also explore Arch Cape, Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside, and Astoria. Cannon Beach remains an independent choice for anyone who wants to combine the Pacific coast, nature trails, and cultural experiences in one vacation.

For the overarching travel overview: Clatsop.