Summer Activities at Cannon Beach that You Will Love

Get Ready for Some Fun in the Sun with these Cannon Beach Summer Activities

Summer is the prime season here at Cannon Beach, and it's easy to see why. The North Oregon Coast sees glorious conditions throughout the summer that are equally sublime for relaxing and adventuring.

For your summer stay at Cannon Beach, these are the essential things to do and see during your visit. If you haven't already, be sure to book your stay in one of our lovely Cannon Beach vacation homes.

Gawk at Haystack Rock

It's obvious to list, but we have to do it. Visiting and viewing Haystack Rock is the signature thing to do for a visit to Cannon Beach. And there are so many ways to enjoy this natural marvel.

You could marvel at Haystack Rock in relative solitude by strolling our town's titular beach in the early morning before everyone else is up. You could also head to Haystack Rock in the evening to soak in one of the most glorious sunset settings of the entire west coast. Or, if you don't mind a little more crowds, visit the landmark around noon and enjoy the views with a picnic lunch.

No matter what time of day you choose to visit, a stop (or two) at Haystack Rock is a must when vacationing at Cannon Beach in the summer.

Hike at State Parks and Recreation Sites

Hiking opportunities around Cannon Beach are simply sublime during summer. There are a handful of scenic hiking areas that offer lovely coastline views as well as classic Pacific Northwest forest scenery.

The most popular area to hike is at Ecola State Park, just a few miles north of Cannon Beach. Here you'll follow winding trails along scenic cliffs, down across secluded beaches, and through enchanting tree groves. Popular summer hikes at Ecola State Park are the Clatsop Loop, Indian Beach and Crescent Beach trails.

In addition to those individual trails, you can also hop along stretches of the Oregon Coast Trail. Cannon Beach lies within section one of the Oregon Coast Trail, and this section stretches from Fort Stevens State Park up north to Oswald West State Park to the south.

LOCAL TIP: Cannon Beach also features many great trails for mountain biking. Check out this blog post to find our favorite trails and places to rent or buy biking gear.

Discover Tidepools All Around Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach hosts a plethora of intertidal areas that are tremendous to explore at low tide. These tidepools reveal a fascinating conglomeration of colorful sea creatures. Spot things such as starfish, green anemones, coral, fish, crabs, and more!

Haystock Rock at Cannon Beach is the most popular spot for tidepooling in the summer. However, you can also find great pools at Ecola Point in Ecola State Park, Silver Point near Arcadia Beach, and around Hug Point State Park.

To find the best times to view the tidepools around Cannon Beach, refer to this tide chart.


 

Dine at Classic Cannon Beach Eateries

The restaurant scene at Cannon Beach is relatively small, but every eatery, bar and cafe packs a seriously tasty punch! You'll have no trouble finding great meals any time of the day when out on the town.

For quick breakfast bites served with wonderfully brewed coffee, you have to check out Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters. It's a quaint little cafe that roasts its own coffee beans and has a lovely outdoor seating area. Sip your fresh brew and enjoy a homemade pastry with fantastic views of Haystack Rock from their patio.

Another must-stop dining spot at Cannon Beach is Pizza AFetta, which has been slinging hand-tossed gourmet pizzas since 1988. Pizza AFetta is rated as one of the Top 50 Pizzerias in the US by Pizza Today Magazine. The only trouble you'll have at this Cannon Beach classic spot is deciding which pizza to try!

There are several more exceptional restaurants and bars to visit during your summer vacation at Cannon Beach. Check out our Restaurants page to see all our favorite local dining options.

LOCAL TIP: If you're staying at a Beachcomber vacation home with a kitchen, then check out our blog feed for great recipes you can make right at your rental!


Those are the essential activities and places you have to visit during your summer vacation at Cannon Beach. For more trip inspiration, be sure to check out our Area Guide and Things to Do pages.

If you still haven't yet booked your accommodations in Cannon Beach, then be sure to browse our extensive catalog of vacation homes to find the rental that's right for you.