Cannon Beach, Oregon Northern Oregon Coast
Cannon Beach has a way of doing something to people. You drive through the coast range, the trees open up, the fog is doing whatever the fog wants to do, and then Haystack Rock is just — there. A 235-foot monolith rising from the sand close enough to walk to, close enough to stand at the tidepools at its base and watch sea anemones pulse in the current while tufted puffins nest somewhere above you. National Geographic named this one of the 100 most beautiful places in the world. It's about 90 minutes from Portland and absolutely lives up to the reputation.
Getting There About 90 minutes from Portland via US-26 west to US-101 north. Public options include the NorthWest POINT daily bus from Portland and Sunset Empire Transportation District local routes. Once in town, Cannon Beach is walkable — parking downtown and leaving the car works well.
2026 Closures — Check Before You Go Ecola State Park is currently closed due to landslides from December 2025 storms — no reopening date has been provided. Hug Point State Recreation Area has also been closed due to beach erosion as of late 2025. Verify current status at Oregon State Parks before planning around either of these.
Best Times to Visit September and October are widely considered the best months — summer crowds thin, weather is often the driest and sunniest of the year, and the coastline is at its most accessible. Summer is the most popular season with the warmest temperatures but also the most traffic and the highest lodging prices. Spring is beautiful for wildflowers and uncrowded beaches. Winter brings dramatic storms and moody atmosphere that photographers and storm-watchers seek out specifically, with significantly lower lodging rates. The Oregon coast will do whatever it wants weather-wise regardless of season — bring layers always.
Haystack Rock The central reason most people come, and it earns it. The rock is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge — do not climb it. At low tide, the tidepools at its base are one of the best accessible intertidal experiences on the West Coast, with sea stars, anemones, crabs, and occasionally the bizarre purple urchin. Check tide charts before you go and plan your visit for an hour before low tide. Haystack Rock Awareness Program volunteers are on site during low tides to answer questions and protect the wildlife.
Beyond Haystack Rock Ecola State Park (when open) is the great adjacent experience — dramatic headland viewpoints, hiking trails including the Clatsop Loop and the trail to Indian Beach, and some of the best coastal scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Oswald West State Park, a few miles south, has Cape Falcon Trail with exceptional ocean views — 4.5 miles round trip and worth every step. Arcadia Beach, just south of town, offers similar rugged beauty with far fewer people.
The Town Hemlock Street is the walkable downtown — art galleries, boutique shops, excellent coffee, and restaurants that range from casual to genuinely impressive. Cannon Beach has one of the strongest art gallery scenes of any small coastal town in the country, with over a dozen galleries. Public Coast Brewing is a solid local beer option. Wayfarer Restaurant has good food and ocean views. Sea Level Bakery is the morning stop. The annual Sandcastle Contest draws serious competitors and crowds.
Lodging Cannon Beach lodging is expensive in summer, much more reasonable the rest of the year. Surfsand Resort is the top beachfront choice. The Ocean Lodge and Inn at Cannon Beach are well-regarded boutique options. Book well in advance for summer and holiday weekends — this town fills up fast. Vacation rentals are available throughout the area.
