THINGS TO DO IN CANNON BEACH
Now that we have the logistics out of the way, let’s speak about all the incredible things to do in Cannon Beach.
1. GO PUFFIN WATCHING
Given that most folks are about the town for its well-known beach let’s first discuss all things that include striking the sand, such as hunting for puffins! Before checking out Oregon, I had just become aware of puffins in locations like Iceland or Alaska. However, I had no idea they were discovered as far south as Baja California and even Haystack Rock.
A nest of puffins resides on the grassy north face of the sea stack each spring (typically from April through July) to lay eggs and raise their young. What’s cool about this is that puffins typically nest on rocky islands with a little yard to conceal their nests, which tend to be waaaaay overseas and, therefore, not quickly available to you and me.
If you check out Cannon Beach at low tide, you can stroll up to Haystack Rock. The puffins discovered here are “tufted puffins.” They are especially dapper-looking, if you ask me, with brilliant yellow “tufts” of plumes above their eyes (picture a puffin variation of Eugene Levy).
From May through Labor Day, you can get a much better take a look at them by participating in a complimentary program placed on by the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (or HRAP), a remarkable group of volunteers that offer scopes to assist see those rad puffin eyebrows a bit much better and curricula so you can discover everything about Cannon Beach’s prettiest feathered locals. You can align your check out to Haystack with among their programs (see their schedule here), which constantly lines up with low tide (see a tide chart here).
2. SHOT YOUR HAND AT TIDEPOOLING
If you’re preparing to go to Cannon Beach throughout low tide, you must set aside some time for tide-pooling. Well, buddies, tidepooling is checking out little swimming pools of seawater left behind throughout low tide and observing their marine life occupants, like polyps, sea stars, sea slugs, crabs, and other cool sea animals.
While you’re on the beach, watch out for individuals at a loss coat- those great folks are once again our pals at HRAP. They appear at every low tide from mid-February through mid-October to enthusiastically inform visitors about the wildlife that resides in the intertidal zones. If you’re really into tidepooling, you can register to make a personal 90-minute trip with HRAP- the expense is $35 an individual, which assists support this remarkable company.
Friendly tip to not touch or eliminate any sea animals you see in the tidepools- that ochre sea star would not come and abduct you from your house, so let’s treat them with the same regard!
3. BEACH HOP
While we’re on the topic of beaches, there are many more cool beaches around Cannon Beach, in addition to simply the eponymous one. Some other beaches worth having a look at:
Indian Beach lies inside the spectacular Ecola State Park ($ 5-day usage cost), simply north of Cannon Beach, with many internet users and attractive sea stacks. It’s so picturesque that it’s been included in several films, consisting of the cherished “The Goonies” and “Twilight” (as a stand-in for First Beach in Olympic National Park). I suggest, if it’s great enough for “The Goonies,” it’s excellent enough for me!
Crescent Beach is accessible just by a reasonably difficult 1.5-mile walk through the lavish seaside forests of Ecola and is the location to go if you desire a beach all to yourself. So when my other half, Justin, and I checked out, we had this under-the-radar gem all to ourselves for about half an hour!
Hug Point State Recreation Site uses the most distinct stretches of shoreline in the location, with sandstone caverns, a waterfall you can play in, and some rad tidepools throughout the low tide.
Brief Sands Beach (likewise called Shorty’s), situated 10 minutes south of Cannon Beach in Oswald West State Park, is among the most popular locations on the Oregon Coast for boogie-boarding and browsing. While Short Sands does not have the remarkable sea stacks of a few of its next-door neighbors, it’s nestled within a cove (with the really enjoyable, pirate-y name “Smuggler’s Cove”), produced by basalt and sandstone cliffs, offering that Pacific Northwest vibes your body longs for.
4. VIEW SURFERS OR TRY SURFING
Did you observe above that I pointed out web surfers? That’s right; numerous brave souls put on wetsuits and paddle into the cold Pacific waters (some even do this in the winter season!) with hopes of capturing some gnarly waves.
If you, like me, are a child about cold water, it’s plenty enjoyable to relax and enjoy those heartier folks handling the waves- the two finest locations to see them are Indian Beach and Short Sands Beach.
Or how about experimenting with surfing yourself? Cannon Beach Surf uses lessons every day of the year (weather conditions allowing) for novices through innovative web surfers. There’s even a choice to combine your browse lesson with a vinyasa yoga class in advance!
And if you’re worried that the yoga class will not warm you up adequately for the cold waters of Oregon, not to stress- your leasing of a wetsuit, booties, and gloves are all in your class cost, which will keep you great and warm …?
5. HAVE A BEACH CAMPFIRE
I’m conserving my preferred thing to do on the sand for last- have a campfire! There’s something so blissful about having a campfire on the beach: taking in the heat of a campfire, warming the sand around your toes, with the cool sea breeze on your face- plus, the taste of s’mores never harms!
While sand functions as an outstanding fire retardant, fires on Cannon Beach are not permitted throughout the height of the Pacific Northwest’s wildfire season (typically late July through early September), so make sure to inspect regional fire limitations before illuminating (or call Cannon Beach’s Police Department at 503-436-2811).
Even if it’s not wildfire season, make sure to develop your firepit far from any brush or trees that might be prone to igniting. Follow accountable fire practices, and do not forget your marshmallows!
6. BREWERY HOP
Okay, I believe we’ve invested adequate time on the beach? Well, let’s switch equipment a bit and take a look at Cannon Beach’s brewery scene. For a small town, it’s favorably breaking with terrific breweries- 2.
Pelican Brewing is an Oregon coast stalwart with several places along the shoreline. Pelican usually does not roam too far from traditional beer designs, concentrating on the classics, like IPAs (this is the Pacific Northwest, after all), stouts, and lagers. Furthermore, they likewise use a complete menu for lunch and supper, dispensing high-end bar and home cooking.
Advice- it looks like all visitors to Cannon Beach are essentially contractually bound to stop at Pelican throughout their stay, so this brewery is relatively constantly exceptionally crowded. Unless you do not mind waiting a bit for a table, I’d suggest appearing when they initially open (who does not like a breakfast beer?).
I typically do not play favorites with breweries; however, I got ta state that I’m a BIG fan of Public Coast. This captivating little brewery has some cool and special brews (think: fruit punch sours and peanut butter and jelly stouts), the best made-to-order basket of french fries, and a lot of Adirondack chairs on its outdoor patio to unwind in.
If you wish to brewery hop, the nearby town, Seaside (you understand, that a person that I tossed shade at the beginning of the post?) It also has a couple of breweries worth inspecting, consisting of Sisu Brewing Company and Seaside Brewery.
7. GO WHALE WATCHING
One last wildlife experience idea for you while you’re in Cannon Beach- keep your eyes peeled for whales. The Oregon coast is a wonderful location to find them, particularly gray whales, although you may get fortunate and see some humpbacks or whales.
– normally by seeing their spouts or, if you’re fortunate, a splash of their tail- from a high vantage point.
The best area to get some elevation and slip a peek of them is the primary car park of Ecola State Park; some picnic tables are best to work as your whale enjoying perch.
Getting a space with a terrace at one of the oceanfront hotels will likewise assist the company with a greater vantage point (and, let’s be truthful, be fancy AF)- some alternatives are the Hallmark Resort and Spa (right in front of Haystack Rock), Tolovana Inn, or the Ocean Lodge.
No matter where your whale viewing Homebase lies, it might be an excellent concept to bring along some field glasses to assist you in getting a much better view (plus, field glasses have the included advantage of providing you that * differentiated sailor * appearance).
8. CHECK OUT THE TOWN
Ensure to conserve a long time to search around the cute stores stashed in beach homes lining the town’s streets. Most shops lie along three blocks of Hemlock and Spruce Street, simply a brief walk east of the beach. A few of my favorites are Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, a family-owned store that makes some killer dark chocolate Oreos; Cannon Beach Book Co. (I’m a sucker for in your area-owned book shops); Archimedes Gallery for Pacific Northwest artwork; and Sesame and Lilies, for some thoroughly curated house design.
9. GET CULTURED
Cannon Beach has a successful art scene for a tiny town, house to over 15 galleries (most situated within a couple of blocks of the “downtown” strip), which mainly include regional artists from the Pacific Northwest. Some cool choices to take a look at are Icefire Glassworks, a blown glass studio where you may even get to see the artists in action, or DragonFire Gallery, whose lively walls and wacky vibes make the area seem like a masterpiece in and of itself.
Beyond its galleries, Cannon Beach hosts numerous art celebrations each year, like the Earth and Ocean Festival each September, which commemorates artwork that checks out the natural charm of the Oregon coast, and the Stormy Weather Arts Festival each November, with gallery strolls and live music.
The town even has its playhouse, the Coaster Theatre Playhouse, which places on whatever from Shakespeare adjustments in a neighboring park in the summertime to the precious timeless “A Christmas Carol” throughout the holiday. So in between your beach relaxing and seaside checking out in Cannon Beach, attempt to squeeze a little bit of culture in!
10. GO HIKING
Now that we’ve adequately packed ourselves with french fries, dark chocolate Oreos, and microbrews, it’s time to extend our legs a bit on walking or more. Cannon Beach and the surrounding locations have some amazing parks with miles and miles of routes, winding through thick seaside forests and along craggy coastlines and significant cliffs- hitting the road is an excellent method to get some distinct views of the Oregon coast, in addition, to beat a few of the crowds.
Ecola State Park has some remarkable walkings, like the 4.3-mile walking to Indian Beach, snaking through a forest of towering spruce trees, with peekaboo glances of the Pacific Ocean, or the difficult 12.2-mile Tillamook Head path, with awesome views of the sea stacks and the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
Oswald West State likewise has some terrific alternatives, like the 4.6-mile Cape Falcon Trail, which offers spectacular views of Short Sand Beach listed below (and would be a terrific perspective to see web surfers or perhaps whales!), or Elk Flats Trail, a 2.9 mile walking, which supplies several perspectives along the way, from on top of a cliff down into a cove of blue-green water called “Devil’s Cauldron” (you understand locations with names like that are constantly rad) to the coasts of Short Sand Beach.
Word of caution- the tracks here have lots of roots, simply waiting to journey you, and frequently rather muddy. So I’d highly advise bringing along a set of treking boots (like these for females and these for guys) for your journey to provide much better assistance and safeguard your feet (did I point out there’s likewise a reasonable quantity of snakes along the tracks? … security from them too).
11. CHECK OUT NEARBY TOWNS
Okay, alright, so this one is cheating a little; however, it would not be a see to Cannon Beach without checking out a few charming seaside towns nearby.
My outright favorite is Manzanita, a little artistic town loaded with more adorable decoration and clothes stores, yoga studios, and locally-owned dining establishments than any other city with a population of 393 homeowners. Nehalem and Rockaway Beach each have some cool shops equipped with antiques and locally-crafted house items (Wild Coast Goods is SO amazing- plus they have a cute shop puppy, which is essential to my heart).
The Oregon coast is simply a series of villages, each with unique characters and appeal- do not miss out on traveling down the 101 and checking out along the way!