Tolovana Beach Wayside, along with adjacent Tolovana Beach, is a scenic area located near the city of Cannon Beach. It’s a fantastic spot to enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, see the iconic Haystack Rock, take leisurely walks along the sandy shore, watch wildlife, and more.

Visitors can also enjoy surfing, kite surfing, beachcombing, tidepooling, and other exciting activities.

The beach stretches for about two miles before blending into Cannon Beach at the northern edge. Perfect conditions for long, uninterrupted walks await here, along with easy access to Haystack Rock—one of three Oregon landmarks that share this name.

This 235-foot monolith towers over the shoreline, and during low tide, you can walk right up to it and explore the surrounding tidepools.

Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site offers ample parking, restrooms, and even a children’s playground. Beach access is straightforward, with just a short walk from the parking area. Despite the generous parking, the site is very popular due to its proximity to Portland.

Additional beach access points with regular and street parking are also available. If you choose to park on the street, please be careful not to block driveways or access for residents and businesses. The town of Cannon Beach provides plenty of lodging, dining, and shopping options as well.

Tolovana Beach Wayside – Things to Do

There’s plenty to enjoy at Tolovana Beach Wayside. Whether you love searching tidepools, collecting beach treasures, or watching seabirds along the coast, the area offers relaxing and fun experiences throughout the day.

Tidepool watching

Tidepooling is one of the most popular activities at the beach. These small pools are full of marine life—look for sea anemones, starfish, crabs, sea slugs, and other fascinating creatures.

You can also observe a variety of shorebirds and other wildlife around the beach and nearby sea stacks, including black oystercatchers, cormorants, seagulls, and even puffins.

Beachcombing

Tolovana Beach is also great for beachcombing. You may find a variety of seashells, pieces of weathered driftwood shaped by the ocean, and even the occasional agate. Because this is a mostly sandy beach, rocks are not as common, but they can appear after storms or king tides.

Tolovana Beach Bunnies

Near Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site, you might notice some unexpected residents—large groups of black, white, and brown bunnies.

In the 1980s, a family released a few rabbits in the area. Another family added more in the 1990s, and by the early 2010s, the rabbits had moved closer to Tolovana Beach due to fewer predators.

People often feed the rabbits, leading to rapid population growth. While some people enjoy seeing the bunnies and even suggest making them a town symbol, others consider them a problem. Despite their cute appearance, they can cause property damage by digging burrows, eating grass, and leaving droppings.