There are few resort destinations in the world blessed with an iconic natural wonder, miles of sandy beaches and a picturesque village. One of these is Cannon Beach on Oregon’s North Coast.

Not only is Cannon Beach’s setting within the rugged natural beauty of forests, ocean beaches, and rivers one of the most beautiful along the Pacific coastline, but its town centre is irresistible. You won’t find any chain stores here. Its City Fathers have maintained Cannon Beach’s charming small town feel.

The main street is lined with brick-paved courtyards filled with flowers and pathways that lead to small specialty stores, art galleries, boutiques, candy shops and restaurants, many housed in shingle-sided coastal cottages.

Salt water taffy has been a coastal tradition for more than 100 years and Bruce’s Candy Kitchen encourages visitors to watch the taffy and fudge makers in action. Favorite taffy flavors among the 26 choices include peppermint, cinnamon, and peanut butter.

Cannon Beach is known as one of the Northwest’s best art towns. Among its many art galleries is the Dragonfire Studio & Gallery, one of the most diverse contemporary galleries on the Oregon Coast. It focuses on surprisingly affordable original art by local, regional and national artists working in everything from paint to fiber to metal.

Along the main street is the Coaster Theatre, a building which once housed the community’s silent movie hall and roller skating rink. Since the ‘70s it has entertained thousands of visitors to Cannon Beach with a year-round season of plays, musicals, readers, theatre, concerts and educational programming.

Cannon Beach is a dog friendly vacation/tourist town so there’s no surprise that along the main street you’ll find the cutest pet shop – Puppy Love by the Sea. Hit the Paw button on Puppy Love’s website for the many hotels, motels and rentals which will welcome your dog as a guest.

Make time on your Cannon Beach adventure to watch live glassblowing, splurge on a spa, go surfing, attend a cooking class, or take a horseback ride on the beach.

You can discover the hidden treasures of Cannon Beach at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum which makes history an interactive experience for kids and is home to the original cannon that was found on the beach and gave this community its name.

Dining in Cannon Beach offers an eclectic array of fine, casual and stylish options.

For breakfast try the magnificent log building Morris’ Fireside Restaurant. Owner Tom Morris will probably be there himself to guide you through his massive and unusual breakfast menu and might even persuade you, at an unearthly early morning hour, to sample his acclaimed chowder. If not, come back to this inviting log cabin-style restaurant for lunch or dinner.

Another idea for lunch or dinner is to step into one of the Coast’s most superb restaurants – the Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge. For over 30 years, Martin Hospitality has specialized in creating lasting memories of the Oregon Coast through their award-winning inns, resorts and restaurants, including the exceptional cuisine of The Wayfarer Restaurant.

The Lush Wine Bar, it claims, is a lot like the beach – relaxed, comforting, friendly, delicious, fun, and of course, luscious. Try it for an informal dinner. Every March, wine dinners, a wine walk and wine tastings are part of the Savor Cannon Beach Wine and Culinary Festival.

Cannon Beach is of course fortunate to be blessed with remarkable natural wonders. Haystack Rock dominates the seascape, rising some 235 feet, yet so close to the shoreline that you can almost stroll there during low tide. Use care when exploring its colorful tidepools which are alive with starfish, sea anemones, and tiny hermit crabs. Haystack Rock is a protected wildlife refuge, along with all of the Oregon Islands, and is a nesting area for many seabirds. Tufted Puffins, those squat, comical birds with the large, bright orange bills, arrive in April and stay through early August, nesting in burrows high on the grassy area on the north face of Haystack Rock. Near Haystack Rock are the Needles, two tall rocks rising straight out of the water. Chapman Point and Bird Point on the northern end of Cannon beach host the largest single nesting colony of Common Murres in the world, some 28,000 birds!

Nearby Ecola State Park is perched dramatically on the edge of Tillamook Head. The view from Ecola Viewpoint is probably one of the most photographed in the United States – the whole panorama of the beaches of Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock, the surf and the mountains, all wrapped up in one lensful. Ecola State Park offers miles of hiking trails, picnic areas and great vantage points for bird watchers and whale watchers.

Dear to the heart of Cannon Beach itself is the Ecola Creek Awareness Project with a concentration on creating a hub in downtown called the Cannon Beach Natural History Park which incorporates an interpretive and transportation trail, conservation, and habitat enhancement around the lagoon and Little Pompey areas.

Scribbles Etceteras

Where to Stay

The Ocean Lodge gives you the opportunity to walk out onto your own deck, feel the sea mist and watch the breakers crash onto the famous Haystack Rock and pristine sands of Cannon Beach.

Land’s End Motel is a comfortable resort inn, right on the beach, with fabulous views of the Pacific Ocean, scenic rocks at Ecola State Park and the historic Tillamook Lighthouse.

Surfsand Resort on the oceanfront is just steps from Haystack Rock and has sweeping coastline views to the north and south. It features stylish, contemporary guest rooms and suites with a serene, tranquil view.

For more information visit the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce and for other coastal information visit the Oregon Coast Visitors Association

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