Salty hair and you just don’t care? Sandy feet blazing trails? You’re already on your way to living like a Cannon Beach local! Cannon Beach, Oregon is a beautiful coastal town featuring incredible natural beauty like iconic Haystack Rock, natural tide pools, extensive coastal rainforest and miles and miles of pristine shoreline. The town of Cannon Beach is just steps from the sand and offers its own array of fun with dozens of small, local businesses displaying unique souvenirs or necessary essentials. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that Cannon Beach is a desirable vacation destination and home town. Whether tourist or resident, everyone feels like a local!
Food
Cannon Beach has plenty of native flavors. Often, the lure of small towns is an escape from the hustle and bustle of commerciality which Cannon Beach certainly offers. There are no chain restaurants in the 4 mile-city, but there are plentiful locally-owned breweries, markets and cafes! Welcoming you to the town is Pelican Brewing Company on Sunset Blvd and Hemlock St. The atmosphere is family-friendly with a large, open seating area and coastal decor. Their menu features classic Oregonian favorites, like Tillamook cheese curds and Dungeness crab mac and cheese, as well as comfort food, like clam chowder, crispy salads and juicy burgers. Another perk is the plentiful fresh seafood! Nothing like a fish taco steps away from the ocean.
If you are looking to sample what local farmers have to offer, the best place to go is the Cannon Beach farmer’s market! Oregon is known for their farm-fresh eats, and this town market definitely does not disappoint. The market happens every Tuesday from 11am to 3pm in the public parking lot on Gower St and Hemlock St. Most farmer’s markets feature local artistry as well, but this one exclusively sells produce, meats, cheeses and spices. A perfect way to replace a weekly trip to the grocery store or catch a midday meal or snack!
Looking for a caffeine kick? Visit any of the 4 coffee shops in Cannon Beach proper. A local favorite is Insomnia Coffee Co., which boasts cozy seating areas, delicious craft coffees and teas, local art and a 20-step walk to the shore. The staff jumps at the chance to recommend delicious flavor combos if you can’t decide what to order and they also carry a large selection of baked goods made in-house. Insomnia Coffee is perfect for a quick morning stop or a lazy afternoon boredom buster.
The best part…all restaurants and cafes in Cannon Beach are incredibly accommodating for any food allergies! Just speak to your server and they will provide great recommendations.
Entertainment
If you’re as brave as the locals, a major pastime in Cannon Beach is surfing! Rain or shine, a large group of surfers can be seen riding those waves. Although it may be unexpected to see surfing in the Pacific Northwest, Cannon Beach is actually one of the most convenient places to learn to surf because of reliable surf and swell patterns. The most popular surfing spots are Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park, just a few miles south of Cannon Beach. Just a minute’s drive south are Indian Beach and Short Sands Beach, two other popular surfing spots. Don’t know how to surf? Lessons and gear are available year-round (conditions permitting) within walking distance of the shore! Cannon Beach lifeguards are on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day. Beware! Tides change quickly on the north Oregon coast and the water is a balmy 58 degrees at its highest…bring proper gear and stay alert!
Much of Oregon’s north coast is protected by the federal and state governments for natural preservation. Therefore, you are certain to get beautiful scenery and close encounters with wildlife. Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach’s iconic monument, is a seasonal breeding area for hundreds of different seabirds. Don’t forget those binoculars! Tufted Puffins, Common Murres, Black Oystercatchers and multiple different ducks and cormorants have been sighted frequently in the summertime. At the foot of Haystack Rock are large tide pools that locals and tourists alike can wade through at low tide. The different marine life there is labelled and described and staff members of Oregon State Parks are there during certain hours to answer questions about them. There are also 4 different state parks just a few short miles from Cannon Beach proper. To the north is Ecola State Park, which is a local favorite and well recommended. This park offers stunning coastal views unique to the Oregon Coast. The sand touches a lush Sitka spruce forest and weaves through numerous natural stone formations not unlike Haystack Rock. There are plentiful tide pools with various marine flora and fauna, grey whale watching tours in the winter and spring, several herds of elk, and a vast network of trails exploring the best that Oregon has to offer. Stop by for a quick day trip or a lazy afternoon in the sun!
If you are looking to trade in your muddy hiking boots for a pair of sleek new kicks, look no further than the Cannon Beach shopping district. The 4-mile town is lined with unique, locally owned businesses with delights for even the pickiest shoppers. Go back in time by wandering through numerous local antique shops; peruse the knickknacks lining the walls of the tourist shops; refresh your closet with unique clothing from multiple boutiques; or even stop for a quick bite of crepes, tacos or sweets. You want it? Cannon Beach has got it! A whole day can be happily spent wandering the streets. The best part? The town is likely within a 10 minute walk of your vacation home! No need to drive a long way to find everything you could ever need and more!
About the Author
Maya Willis was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona but loves to travel with her friends, family and partner. She particularly enjoys nature outings, with beautiful scenery, fresh air and a laid-back atmosphere, but occasionally enjoys stepping into a new city for a few days or weeks! Maya has travelled Europe extensively, visiting 7 countries, and has also visited Australia and Canada. She has explored most of the West Coast of the United States, with the midwest and the east coast on her bucket list. Maya loves to collect stories and memories on each trip and can’t wait to share them all with you!
