Summer is THE best season to explore the Oregon Coast (the whole Pacific Coast), and Cannon Beach is one of its crown jewels. This iconic destination offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, a charming small-town vibe, and plenty of activities for its visitors. From surfing the high tides to tide pooling, from bird watching to simply enjoying margaritas by the ocean.
In the summer of 2024, we embarked on a day tour to Cannon Beach, a 3.5-hour drive from Seattle. The drive itself was beautiful, offering scenic views and occasional glimpses of the sparkling ocean. 🌊
Read all about our full itinerary and the spots we explored during this unforgettable excursion. If you have more time, consider extending your stay and venturing further south along the Oregon Coast. Check out my recommendations below for the best spots to visit and places to stay while exploring this beautiful coastline!
Best options to reach Cannon Beach
Reaching Cannon Beach is straightforward. The closest airport is Portland that is connected to many major cities in the US. Alternatively, you can take a flight to Seattle and drive to the Oregon Coast.
If you’re starting in Portland and looking for public transit options. Consider taking the “Northwest” bus route, which connects Cannon Beach with Astoria and Portland. This is an economical and eco-friendly alternative.
You can also take guided tours that include hotel pick up and drop offs, here’s one I highly recommend that covers all the top spots in Cannon Beach.
Is Cannon Beach worth the day trip?
Absolutely! Cannon Beach is an ideal summer destination for a day trip, especially if you start early. The serene beaches, scenic viewpoints, and quaint downtown make it worth the drive. Plus, staying late to catch a sunset from Ecola State Park or Cannon Beach itself is the perfect way to end your adventure. I highly recommend adding this to your Pacific Coast Summer Bucket List.
Hotel recommendations in Cannon beach
If you are thinking of extending your trip, you are doing the right thing! I’m definitely spending more than a day here next summer 😭. Cannon Beach offers several accommodation options from beach facing hotels to budget lodges in the busting S Hemlock Street. However, oceanfront hotels can be pricey, but they offer unmatched views of the Pacific. Here are a few I recommend based on friends’ and family recommendations:
- Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach – A luxurious stay with oceanfront views with amazing hospitality. Room rates starting from $211 per night.
- The Ocean Lodge – One of the top places to stay in Cannon Beach. This classic coastal charm offers cozy rooms with modern amenities. Room rates starting from $310 per night.
- Cannon Beach Hotel Collection – 100+ years old property with all modern amenities. This hotel is just 9 minutes’ walk from Haystack Rock and 3 miles from Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site. Room rates starting from $110 per night.
- Ecola Inn – Right by the beach offering affordable and comfortable room rates starting from $125 per night.
Our Cannon Beach Day trip itinerary
Here’s our complete itinerary for the day from Seattle, including everything we did on our way to the beach. You can add this day trip driving direction to your Google Map for ease and here’s an extended road trip itinerary if you have more time or staying overnight.
Early Morning Start
We began our journey at 6:00 AM from downtown Seattle, eager to make the most of our day. The 3.5-hour drive to Cannon Beach is a bit long, but starting early ensured we had plenty of time to explore all the must-see spots and soak in the coastal beauty.
Breakfast in South Bend
Since we started quite early, we decided to grab breakfast on the way. Abhi found a charming coffee shop called Elixir Coffee in South Bend, Washington, overlooking the picturesque Willapa River. When we arrived, it was raining, so we opted to sit inside and savor our coffee. To our delight, a family of tree swallows had taken shelter right by the window—a true birder’s dream! 🐦
We also picked up sandwiches to go for the road. Before resuming our journey, we made a quick stop to snap some fun pictures with the quirky roadside attraction—the “World’s Largest Oyster.”
Cape Disappointment State Park
Our first stop, Cape Disappointment State Park, was a slight detour from our main route. We had heard a lot about its stunning views and iconic lighthouse, so we decided to check it out. However, we were a bit disappointed to find that the road leading to the lighthouse was closed, leaving a long hiking path as the only option to reach it.
On the brighter side, the park made up for it with plenty of female and juvenile elk sightings, which lifted our spirits. 🦌
Despite our experience, this park is a favorite among campers, offering scenic spots overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River. It’s also a hotspot for photographers, especially during high tides when waves dramatically crash against the cliffs near the lighthouse, creating a spectacular sight.
Ecola State Park
Our next stop was Ecola State Park, a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the Oregon Coast. The park is renowned for its sweeping ocean views and lush greenery. The scenery felt almost magical, with miles of rugged coastline, crashing waves, and dramatic monoliths dotting the horizon.
The main viewpoint was just a short hike from the parking area and featured picnic benches, making it an inviting spot for visitors to relax and take in the beauty. We spent over an hour simply admiring the stunning landscapes.
As a bird enthusiast, I was thrilled to spot plenty of birds, including Brown Pelicans and Tufted Puffins near the distant Tillamook Lighthouse. Although they were quite far, their silhouettes were unmistakable—a highlight of the trip for me! 🐦
Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock
Finally, we arrived at the iconic Cannon Beach, famous for its stunning sandy shores and the renowned Haystack Rock, which can be seen from multiple vantage points around this charming beach town.
There are only two main beach access points (at least the ones marked on Google) that I’m aware of:
The access point near Ecola Inn offers a large parking area, but it’s often full, especially during peak hours. If you can’t find parking here, you can park in downtown Cannon Beach and walk over.
The access point closer to Haystack Rock has a small pullout parking area and is perfect for those looking to get closer to the monolith. Additionally, a convenient shuttle service connects all the major spots in Cannon Beach, making it easy to explore without worrying about parking.
We opted for the second location as it was closer to Haystack Rock. After a short walk from the parking area, we were greeted by a breathtaking view of the towering monolith. It was so mesmerizing that we found ourselves unable to look away, captivated by its majestic presence.
Cannon Beach offers a wide range of activities, from surfing the high tides to enjoying a leisurely stroll along the sandy shores. Two of my personal favorites, however, are tide pooling and bird watching.
I was especially excited about the chance to spot Tufted Puffins and colorful starfish. While puffins tend to be elusive during midday, we were fortunate enough to witness a large colony of Common Murres nesting on Haystack Rock. It was an incredible sight and a true delight for any nature enthusiast! 🐦
Lunch in Cannon Beach Downtown
For lunch, we headed to Cannon Beach downtown, a lively area brimming with boutique shops, bakeries, and restaurants. With so many options, choosing where to eat was no easy task! Ultimately, we decided on Pizza a’fetta, a beloved local spot established in 1988, renowned for its flavorful vegetarian and meat-based pizzas.
One of the highlights of this restaurant is their collection of customer scrapbooks. You can flip through them while enjoying your meal, reading notes and memories left by past diners—and even contribute your own!
We opted for a variety of pizza slices to sample more of their delicious offerings and, of course, left a cute little scribble in one of the scrapbooks as a keepsake for future diners. 🍕
Exploring other spots in downtown
After a satisfying meal, we found ourselves craving something sweet. That’s when we stumbled upon the Cannon Beach Bakery, a beloved spot established in 1938. This bakery is renowned for its scones, Danish pastries, and fritters.
Everything on display looked so tempting that we had a moment of decision paralysis. 😅 Ultimately, we settled on a Marionberry scone and a Danish pastry—and we loved every bite! Both treats were perfectly baked, making this stop a highlight of our culinary experience in Cannon Beach. 🥐
Below are more shops I recommend visiting:
- Cannon Beach Book Co – Cozy bookstore with a good collection of books, gifts, stationery and artwork.
- Suzy’s Scoop – A cute cafe selling Tillamook ice cream, coffee and baked goods.
- Bronze Coast Gallery – High end art collection, perfect for art lovers looking to bring home a piece of Cannon Beach.
- Pelican Brewing – A must-visit if you’re staying overnight or have a designated driver. They have award-winning beers, patio dining with amazing views and delicious food.
Head Back to Seattle
After a fun day at Cannon Beach, we began our journey back to Seattle. The 3.5-hour drive felt a bit long, so we decided to make a quick coffee stop at Cup of Jo’s in Kelso, Washington. This cozy little café gave us the perfect pick-me-up before we continued our drive home, reminiscing about the wonderful day we had spent by the coast. ☕
Cannon Beach is a magical destination that’s easy to fall in love with. Whether you’re exploring tide pools at Haystack Rock or enjoying a leisurely lunch downtown, it’s the perfect summer adventure for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
Other Top Locations on the Oregon Coast
If you’re planning an extended getaway to the coast, here are a few more locations I highly recommend visiting. Honestly, the entire Oregon Coast is so breathtaking that it’s hard to resist stopping at every viewpoint. However, keeping limited vacation time in mind, I’ve put together a list of must-visit spots to help you make the most of your trip.
Closer to Cannon Beach
- Hug Point State Recreation Site – Just a few miles south of Cannon Beach, this spot features unique attractions like small waterfalls, caves, and tide pools. It’s a great place for a little adventure and exploration.
- Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site – A quieter alternative to the more crowded spots, this peaceful beach offers a serene atmosphere, perfect for a scenic stroll along the shore.
- Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site – Another tranquil beach, ideal for kite flying and other beach activities. It’s a relaxing spot with less foot traffic.
Farther down the Oregon coast
- Thor’s Well – A fascinating natural phenomenon located in Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. At high tide, the water rushes into a large hole in the rocks, creating an incredible spectacle.
- Sprouting Horn – Located near the Cape Perpetua area, this unique feature sprays water from a hole in the rock formations, resembling a whale’s spout.
- Cape Kiwanda – Known for its stunning sand dunes and coastal cliffs, this is a great place for photography, hiking, and enjoying the expansive ocean views.
- Tillamook Factory – A must-visit for cheese lovers! Tour the factory, sample a variety of cheeses, and enjoy delicious ice cream.
- Sea Lion Caves – A natural sea cave that’s home to a large population of sea lions. This unique attraction offers views of these amazing creatures up close.
- Natural Bridges – This is the southernmost point (of my list) in Oregon coast. A stunning spot in the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, where rock formations create natural bridges that rise from the ocean.
I hope this helps you discover some of the best natural attractions in Oregon! Let me know in the comments which spot on the Oregon Coast is your favorite. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest travel videos and updates!
