There are so many fun things to do in Cannon Beach, Oregon, making it the perfect Pacific Northwest getaway! Cannon Beach is a stunning sandy beach that is also home to the gorgeous Haystack Rock. Here you can dip your toes in the water, have a relaxing picnic or bonfire, check out the breweries and galleries, and explore the surrounding state parks.
Whether you’re looking for a family getaway or a romantic weekend, Cannon Beach is a great destination. Here’s everything you need to know before you go!
Where is Cannon Beach?
Cannon Beach is located on the northwestern coast of Oregon, just south of the town of Seaside, off Highway 101. It’s about 90 minutes west of Portland and 3.5 hours southwest of Seattle.
Why is Cannon Beach Famous?
Cannon Beach may look familiar since it was used as a filming location in Twilight, The Goonies, and Point Break. In addition to these claims to fame, in 2013, National Geographic named it one of the “100 most beautiful places in the world.” It’s most known for the iconic Haystack Rock, which towers over the coast. I couldn’t believe how big it was in real life!
Overview of Cannon Beach
| Location | Oregon Coast |
| Entrance fee | Free |
| Best time to visit | July to September |
| Ideal length of visit | 1-2 days |
| Drones allowed | No |
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
| Bonfires allowed | Yes |
| Driving on beach allowed | No |
Things to do in Cannon Beach
There is something for everyone here! Whether you’re looking to have a chill beach vacay or hike the coast, you can do that here.
1. Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock is the giant rock that looms over the beach and is the centerpiece of most Cannon Beach photos. Since it’s right on the beach, you can’t miss it. Definitely spend some time here admiring the sheer size of this rock (it’s HUGE!), dipping your toes in the water, and strolling the beach with a view of this amazing piece of nature.
2. Beach Picnic
Who doesn’t love a good old picnic on the beach? The beach is wide and long, with plenty of places away from the tide to set up a nice beach picnic. Do note that you shouldn’t bring glass on the beach and be sure to leave no trace! We only get one Earth, we have to treat it right :).
3. Bonfire on the beach
This was actually my first beach campfire experience, if you can believe it! Making a bonfire at dusk is a super popular activity at Cannon Beach and is so fun. You just dig a pit in the sand and build a fire. Then you can sit around it and enjoy the beach as it turns dark, and of course, roast s’mores! Looking down the beach, we saw fire after fire, and it was stunning. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the evening on the beach. Don’t forget a jacket, though – the beach gets chilly at night.
4. Fly a kite
I haven’t thought about flying a kite since the 90s, but when I saw a handful of people flying them here, it looked SO fun! It can get pretty windy on the coast here, so the conditions seem great for kite flying.
Also, how cute would a kite flying, bonfire making, sunset watching date night here be?! Someone call Hallmark with that idea immediately.
5. Catch the sunset
Watching the sunset from Cannon Beach is a must! The wide vantage of the sky and coastline makes for the most gorgeous scene, and it’s beyond peaceful.
6. Head to Pelican Brewery
Pelican Brewery is an amazing local brewpub right off the beach. Here you can taste the amazing craft beers, go on a brewery tour, chow down on pub food, etc. Definitely a must-visit during your trip!
7. Shop the boutiques and galleries
The town of Cannon Beach is filled with adorable boutiques and galleries. When you need a little break from the beach, you can take a stroll to admire these local shops.
8. Hike in Ecola State Park
Ecola State Park is a beautiful Oregon state park that covers 9 miles of coastline between Cannon Beach and Seaside. There are tons of hiking trails here that lead to incredible panoramic views of the Pacific.
Unfortunately, the park was still closed when we went to visit, but in the photo above, you can see part of it along the coast in the distance.
9. Explore Hug Point
Hug Point is another gorgeous spot on the Oregon Coast, just a 7-minute drive south of Cannon Beach. Here you can hike along the coast and check out the waterfalls, caves, and tide pools.
10. Visit Seaside
Seaside is a beach town on the Oregon Coast, 15 minutes north of Cannon Beach. It’s a popular resort town in Oregon with an adorable oceanfront promenade, tons of shops, and food. It feels bigger and more lively than Cannon Beach, and is a great spot for hiking, biking, kayaking, clamming, eating, etc.
11. Drive up to Cape Disappointment
Luckily, Cape Disappointment doesn’t live up to its name! Just an hour drive across the Washington/Oregon border from Cannon Beach will put you in this beautiful Washington state park. Here, there are tons of trails to explore, including the popular hike to the lighthouse and Deadman’s Cove (pictured above). This park is popular for camping and is filled with history from the Lewis and Clark expeditions. If you’re spending a few days on the coast, definitely check this place out!
Where to stay in Cannon Beach?
There are tons of adorable beachfront hotels right on the beach! Imagine how relaxing it would be waking up to the waves here. A couple of beachfront properties that caught our eye were Surfsand Resort, the Tolovana Inn, and the Hallmark Resort. Check out all of the hotels in the area here!
When to visit Cannon Beach?
Cannon Beach, similar to a lot of the Pacific Northwest, is nicest between July and September. This is when it is the warmest and most predictably dry. However, if you keep an eye on the weather, you can visit year-round. Weekdays are obviously less crowded than weekends, so if you can swing it, I’d definitely say go during the week!
Photography Tips for Cannon Beach
One of the coolest and most unique things about Cannon Beach is the reflection that Haystack Rock casts. To capture the reflection, you have to get close to the water and shoot when the water is receding. The best time to shoot here is sunset, and it’s nice because even with the crowds, you can get an angle without people in your shot.
We used our 16-35 mm lens here, and it was perfect. A zoom lens or lens compression is not needed to shoot Haystack Rock, but it can come in handy if you want to shoot the northern coastline a little further out.
Are drones allowed in Cannon Beach?
No, unfortunately, drones are not allowed. There are signs at the beach entrance saying that taking off, landing, and flying are all forbidden.
Can you camp on Cannon Beach?
Camping is unfortunately not allowed on the beach.
Can you drive to Cannon Beach?
While some Oregon beaches allow this, no, you cannot drive onto the beach.
Are dogs allowed on Cannon Beach?
Dogs are allowed on the beach as long as they are leashed or under the voice command of their owner. There were tons of dogs there when we went, and they were having so much fun!
How to get to Cannon Beach?
Cannon Beach is just a short drive from Portland or Seattle, and the town is located right off Hwy 101.
Cannon Beach from Seattle
It takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes to get from Seattle to Cannon Beach. There are a few driving routes from Seattle, but we prefer the coastal route that cuts through Olympia to Hwy 101. It only adds about 5 minutes and is so much prettier! This route also goes through Seaside, and popping into Cape Disappointment is just a short detour.
Cannon Beach from Portland
It is less than an hour and a half drive from Portland. The route goes from the 26 to the 101 and is a super easy drive.
What to pack for Cannon Beach?
- Layers of clothing since the weather changes rapidly. Even in the summer, the nights get chilly.
- Plenty of water
- Camera
- Sandals
- Sunglasses
- Firewood, fire starters, s’mores ingredients, etc. If you plan to build a bonfire
- Picnic Blanket
- Picnic food & materials
- Car camping essentials!
