Cannon Beach may be only 4 miles in length but it is certainly not lacking in picturesque landscapes, beautiful sandy beaches and entertaining activities. Boasting a prime location between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain Range, visitors come from near and far to discover breathtaking, natural scenery. Miles of beach, wooded areas, hiking trails, and parks are pinpointed by attractions such as Ecola State Park, Haystack Rock and Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Amongst scenic landmarks there lies appealing shops, galleries and services in addition to a community theater, art exhibitions and music events which occur year-round. Don’t let anymore time slip you by and visit a magical destination rated time and times again as only of the most magnificent places to visit not only in the United States, but in the world.
Where to stay
A picturesque vacation spot calls for an equally picturesque rental. This is not a hard task when Cannon Beach is your destination. Visitors can wake in the morning to beach and park views, and spend the evening watching the sun set over landscapes which have you constantly reaching for your camera. Wimdu’s charming rentals allow you to stay in a luxurious apartment located in South Cannon Beach and across the street from Tolovana Park, or an elegant holiday home from the turn of the 20th century. No matter what your preference is, lovely apartments, B&Bs, cottages and many more vacation rentals in Cannon Beach are waiting for you!
Fun Facts
- Haystack Rock off Cannon Beach is the 3rd largest coastal monolith in the world!
- The first recorded journey by a European to Cannon Beach was made by William Clark in early 1806!
- Following a tsunami in 1964, city officials decided to attract visitors again by holding a sand castle contest!
- Locals have worked to retain Cannon Beach’s small town feel by discouraging chain stores such as Safeway and McDonald's to build in the area!
- Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park have appeared in films including: The Goonies, Twilight, Hysterical, and Point Break!
Things to see and do in Cannon Beach
The first place visitors to Cannon Beach should head to is, you guessed it, the beach. Don’t waste anytime grabbing your swimming, sunbathing and sporting gear and stroll down to the beautiful sandy beach which gives the city its name. Be amazed upon arrival how the rainforest comes down to meet the golden grains of sand. While the beach may be in its prime when the sun shines, the stunning rainforest can be appreciated in any kind of weather. Find out for yourself by exploring it, and come to the realization that the rainforest is a lesson in ancient history. The soothing lapping of waves will have you returning to the beach day after day whether it be to cycle or walk along it, go horseback riding or to take part in a number of water activities.For a truly fantastic natural experience, visitors to Cannon Beach should make their way to Haystack Rock and the Tolovana Beach State Recreation Area. Time yourself to arrive there during low tide when starfish and other native wildlife can be viewed at the base of the rock. The wildlife refuge area is also home to many species of birds and truly deserves its ranking as one of the most photographed rock formations on the Oregon Coast. To enjoy more stunning views take a trip to the picturesque Ecola State Park. Hiking trails suitable for many levels can be found here and are more often than not prime locations to spot wildlife and take stunning photographs of the area. Les Shirley Park and John Yeon State Park are also nice area to go and relax in the sun. Peek through leafy trees and flocks of birds to spy the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
When looking to unwind in the evenings, take a leisurely stroll through the delightful downtown area. The compact space offers a wide selection of shops, galleries and restaurants. Those with kids can spend some time in the city park includes a playground, ball field, tennis courts, skateboard park and basketball hoops. Stop on the way back to your holiday rental for some ice cream and to buy a souvenir of your wonderful vacation at Cannon Beach.