Cannon Beach City & Beyond - Things To Do & See

Cannon Beach City is a delightful historic small community with the population of around 1,700 people. This fantastic Pacific Coast destination offers an array of attractions and activities.

There are numerous art galleries, restaurants, and stores that line the streets of the city. Cannon Beach is home to the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum showcasing the life of the area from the Native Americans and first European settlers to the modern days. Coaster Theater and Jeffrey Hull Gallery are two other noteworthy places to satisfy your love for visual and performance arts. In 2013, National Geographic Magazine featured Cannon Beach as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the World.

The beaches adjusted to the city are probably the main reason to visit the area. Long stretches of the wide sandy shore, rugged cliffs, sea stacks, picturesque tidepools, and a spectacular panoramic view of the endless ocean with powerful waves crashing on the rocky shore - all of those provide a perfect beach experience for everyone.

Besides a relaxing stroll in the city, you can enjoy hiking, beachcombing, biking, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, and much more! Tidepool watching is another great activity, especially around Haystack Rock which is often called Marine Garden because of a wide variety of sea flora and fauna. Winter storms here are majestic, showing the full might of the Pacific Ocean! Fishing and water sports enthusiasts will find a perfect spot for their favorite pastime as well. Overall, Cannon Beach and its vicinity is a great place for the entire family!

There is a wide range of places to visit in the vicinity and an even bigger list of things you can do there.

History Center and Museum

The Cannon Beach History Center and Museum preserves and interprets variety of artifacts, documents, and photographs shedding light on the rich history of the town and surrounding areas and making connections between past and present.

1387 S Spruce St, Cannon Beach, OR
cbhistory.org
503-436-9301

Coaster Theater

Coaster Theatre Playhouse offers an entertainment for those who love the performing arts. The theater stages plays and musicals, as well as hosts live music, and lectures. It also serves as an art gallery and houses many unique pieces of local artwork. Despite being a small community theater, performance quality is high and plays are very fascinating.

108 N Hemlock St, Cannon Beach, OR
coastertheatre.com
503-436-1242

Jeffrey Hull Gallery

Jeffrey Hull Gallery showcases local artwork and sculptures. The gallery also hosts classes, workshops, and events throughout the year.

172 N Hemlock St, Cannon Beach, OR
www.hullgallery.com
503-436-2600

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach was listed in National Geographic (June 2013 issue) as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the World. This stunning coastal destination is famous for its impressive Haystack Rock, rugged rock formations, broad sandy beach, and breathtaking views of the ocean. This is a perfect place for a variety of adventures including sunbathing, beachcombing, tidepool exploring, surfing, kite surfing, picnicking, and much more. Cannon Beach is connected to Tolovana Beach allowing you to have an extended stroll while enjoying coastal scenery.

Haystack Rock is one of the most iconic landmarks of Cannon Beach and is a must-see destination. This 235-foot monolith is located in the intertidal zone. During a low tide, you can walk right to this unique landmark and explore rocks and tidepools filled with colorful marine creatures.

Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site

Tolovana Beach State Recreation is a scenic area connected to Cannon Beach at the city of Cannon Beach. The site has a large parking area for those who wants to see the iconic Haystack Rock, leisurely walk along the sandy shore, watch wildlife, and enjoy breathtaking Pacific vista.

Ecola State Park

The Ecola State Park is a stunning Coastal forest located north of Cannon Beach. A trailhead to the park is located on the north end of Cannon Beach. The park offers a variety of activities including hiking, beachcombing, bird watching and even whale watching. This beautiful destination provides an ideal opportunity for visitors to observe the scenic Pacific coastline and the mystic Terrible Tilly Lighthouse.

The park features miles of hiking trails including an 8-mile section of Oregon Coast Trail.

Arcadia Beach

Arcadia Beach is a serene sandy beach with gorgeous rock formations just 3 miles away from Cannon Beach. This coastline features gorgeous sea stacks, beautiful tide pools exposed during low tide, and some caverns. This beach is perfect for hiking, beachcombing, picnicking, kiting, surf fishing, and tidepool exploring.

Hug Point State Park

Hug Point State Park is located 4 miles north of Cannon Beach. Hug Point Beach features secret caves and a beautiful waterfall among the scenic Pacific Coast nature. Hug Point is popular for its beautiful stretch of sand, caves, basalt and sandstone cliffs. The beach is ideal for picnicking, beachcombing, tidepool exploring, and surf fishing.

Oswald West State Park

The picturesque 2,484-acre Oswald West State Park extends four miles along the coast from Arch Cape on the north through Cape Falcon to Neahkahnie Mountain on the south. Located 10 miles away from Cannon Beach, this state park allows visitors to enjoy everything that the Oregon Coast has to offer - hiking, beachcombing, surfing, or simply enjoying the stunning vista of the Pacific Ocean.

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, also known as Terrible Tilly Lighthouse, is a very unique and mysterious piece of the Oregon Coast history. Located on the rock about a mile offshore from the Tillamook Head, this lighthouse probably has the richest history of all the Oregon lighthouses.

Sandcastle Contest

Cannon Beach's yearly sand castle contest is held every June and draws in thousands of visitors every year. The contest has become a beloved local tradition in 1964 after a tsunami destroyed the Ecola Creek Bridge and damaged the city. The residents of Cannon Beach decided to hold a sand castle contest as a way to attract visitors, entertain families and children as well as boost morale and celebrate the town's resilience.