Visit the Best Oregon Coast Towns Near Cannon Beach

Down scenic Highway 101, surrounded by sweeping ocean views and charming coastal towns, you’ll find some of the most picturesque spots in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re on a day trip from Portland or you’re staying with Beachcomber Vacation Homes in Cannon Beach, you can easily explore these communities when you visit, as well as nearby hiking trails, sandy beaches, landmarks, and state parks.
If you’re planning a visit and want to incorporate some unique things into your stay, our list of the best Oregon Coast towns near Cannon Beach is just the resource for you! From cheese factories and railroads to fishing villages and museums, there are limitless opportunities to experience the brilliance of our stretch of coastline. Check them out below and start dreaming up your ultimate visit to the Oregon Coast!

Cannon Beach – Our Favorite Oregon Coast Town

Garnering its name from a beached military cannon from the 1840s, Cannon Beach has been recognized as the “best overall beach in Oregon.” Other accolades name it as one of the best art towns in the country and one of the most beautiful places in the world (and we couldn’t agree more)!

Home to the famed Haystack Rock, a massive formation just off the coast, its dramatic shoreline is full of tide pools, seabirds, and scenic walking trails. Nearby Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park have gorgeous wooded areas and incredible photography spots.

Spend your days browsing local shops and watching artists at work. At night, visit one of our delicious local restaurants or take in a live theater performance. Located just an hour and a half from Portland, it’s also a convenient spot for those looking for a quick getaway from the bustle of city life.

Astoria

With just 10,000 residents, this small community along the Columbia River has challenged the status quo for 200 years, making it one of the most intriguing Oregon Coast towns. Here, the characters you’ll meet will surprise you at every turn. From the poet-fishermen to the coffee connoisseur outdoorsmen, you can never judge an Astoria book by its cover.

Since its founding, Astoria has survived many highs and lows, more than earning its reputation as the “Little Town That Could.” With just enough grit and edge to keep things growing and the reverence for tradition to ensure that growth never overshadows its seafaring roots, Astoria will surprise and captivate you.

Check out the Columbia River Maritime Museum, where you can experience a piece of Astoria history for yourself when you step aboard the Lightship Columbia, a National Historic Landmark that once helped ships gain safe passage through the Columbia River.

Warrenton

Just across Youngs Bay from Astoria, you’ll find Warrenton, the proverbial “End of the Oregon Trail.” A visit to this small town is a must on any trip to the Oregon Coast. Explore the same land Lewis and Clark roamed in the 1800s and imagine what it would have been like to wander upon this stunning landscape for the first time.

In addition to the beautiful scenery, Warrenton is also full of things to do. For outdoor adventure, you can spend the day camping, hiking wooded trails, or swimming at Coffenbury Lake. Afterward, head to the nearby beach to check out the remains of the “Iron Skeleton,” a large shipwreck from 1906 that still sits embedded in the sand. You can also visit the Fort Stevens Military Museum and add to your dose of history. At night head to Jon’s Seafood Market and Smoke House for a delicious end to the day’s activities.

Manzanita

If fishing is on your Oregon Coast itinerary, Manzanita is the place to go. Situated between the Pacific Ocean, Neahkahnie Mountain, and Nehalem Bay, this cozy town is supremely positioned for hauls of steelhead trout, Chinook salmon, and sturgeon. You can also try your hand at crabbing and, at low tide, clam digging! Whether you venture out with a local captain on a fishing charter or you charter your own boat, you’re guaranteed to have plenty of fish tales to take home with you after a day on the wild Pacific.

Tillamook

Cheese lovers are no strangers to the name Tillamook, and for good reason! Thanks to the fertile farmland surrounding this Oregon Coast town, it’s become synonymous with delicious dairy products. When you visit, be sure to stop by the Tillamook Creamery.

The creamery is free to the public and open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. You can take a self-guided tour or book a premium experience tour and tasting, during which you’ll learn all about cheesemaking and sample some of their delicious products.

Beyond produce, Tillamook also has a rich aviation history which dates back to WW2. Visit the public airport museum and view blimps, pilot equipment, and historic aircraft. Or, if you have time, consider taking one of the sightseeing tours on the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad!

Garibaldi

At the north end of Tillamook Bay, you’ll find the quiet fishing village of Garibaldi. Once again, if you’ve got the desire to reel in a record-breaking catch or just enjoy the spoils of fishermen’s labors, this is a great spot to be. From Dungeness Crabs and ling cod to rockfish and even the occasional octopus, the waters around Garibaldi are replete with tasty varieties.

Local restaurants serve up fresh line-to-table delicacies every day, while all around, you’ll hear stories of fabled hauls and giant encounters.

If fishing isn’t on the agenda, you can still enjoy the water. Head out on a kayak or canoe and take in the towering trees and soaring bald eagles.

Pacific City

Pacific City is one of the dream towns on the Oregon Coast for surfers. With huge off-shore rocks, towering dunes, and consistent waves, you can paddle out and spend the day chasing the perfect barrel.

When the sun sets, head to one of the local waterfront breweries or restaurants and watch the fishing boats launch or return from their day. Surrounded by Cape Kiwanda, it truly is one of the most picturesque beach towns in the PNW.

Oceanside

With beautiful beaches, quaint cafes, and a plethora of notable landmarks, Oceanside is a great spot to visit with little ones. Head to the shore at low tide and let the kiddos explore tide pools, waterfalls, and tunnels through Maxwell Point. In the distance, the Three Arch Rocks create a great backdrop for family photos.  

Low tide is also the best time to access Tunnel Beach, where you can make your way to secret coves and unspoiled beaches. Be sure to keep an eye on the water, though, as rising tides will block your return through the tunnels.

Discover the Best Oregon Coast Towns When You Visit

With a home base in Cannon Beach, you can easily explore these and other Oregon Coast towns, then come home and relax in your stunning Beachcomber vacation rental.

In addition to an endless list of things to do in Cannon Beach and surrounding areas, as our guest, you’ll also get access to a curated list of free activities and treats every day of your stay!

Browse our complete list of vacation rentals and find the perfect spot for your family’s vacation. We hope to see you on the Oregon Coast soon!