This fourteen-kilometre stretch of beach only a two-hour drive from Portland is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. The natural beauty of Cannon Beach is one great reason to visit, but the area also boasts the ambiance of a little village and is home to a thriving arts and crafts community.
Thanks to the strict regulation of chain stores and restaurants, the quaint Cannon Beach Village has been able to retain its charm. Stroll down Hemlock Street and discover boutiques and art galleries and the cosy Coaster Theatre Playhouse. Other charming stores specialise in antiques and collectibles, surf wear, home decor, gourmet food, and textiles. The village is also home to the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum, which is open from Thursday through Monday all year round.
Cannon Beach is known for its glass art and many special events. Glass art can be found at many of the local galleries, including Icefire Glassworks. Watch the entire mesmerising process of glass blowing from start to finish and purchase a finished piece afterwards. There are festivals which showcase new art in May and November, but the most noteworthy event in Cannon Beach is the Sandcastle Festival, which has been a local tradition since 1965.
The beach itself is just a small part of public coastline that spans 584 kilometres on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. For a real treat, plan a visit from mid-December to January or from March to June when you may catch a glimpse of the migrating grey whales. The stunning views aren't only found on the beach take a trip to Ecola State Park, and for a small admission fee, you can enjoy walking through the forest and discovering some picture-perfect viewpoints. Look out for Haystack Rock, the famous landmark which looks out over Cannon Beach.
Haystack Rock faces south from Ecola Point and is a fourteen-kilometre basalt sea stack which is flanked by two other rock formations known as the Needles. Here you will find a little marine garden which is home to tide pools teeming with crabs, algae, anemones, starfish, and other organisms.
