Ultimate First-Time Guide: What to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Known for beautiful beaches, exceptional art galleries, delicious restaurants, and endless Pacific Northwest charm, Cannon Beach should be at the top of your vacation destination wish list. Here, you can explore charming coastal towns, immerse yourself in local culture, and experience what makes this part of the country so magical.

If you’ve never been to the PNW but are interested in seeing what all the fuss is about, this first-timer’s guide is full of ideas that will make your getaway one you’ll cherish forever. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and start crafting your dream getaway today!
 

Where Is Cannon Beach, Oregon?

Located in Clatsop County, Cannon Beach is a popular coastal town an hour and a half west of Portland and about four hours southwest of Seattle. It is surrounded by equally unique and well-known towns like Tillamook, Astoria, Arch Cape, and Manzanita.
During your visit, finding time to explore some of these nearby communities is a must. From filming locations of popular movies like The Goonies to world-class cheese and ice cream, there’s a lot to take in everywhere you turn!

What Is Cannon Beach, Oregon Known For?

While we like to think there’s a lot we’re known for: gorgeous state parks, lively community, thriving shops and galleries, and wildlife, to name a few… what we’re probably most associated with is Haystack Rock.

This massive 235-foot formation is part of what makes the Oregon coastline so iconic. Be sure to bring your camera to the beach so you can capture shots of this stunning landmark.

What to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon for Families

Cannon Beach is an excellent destination for your next family vacation! Whether you’re traveling with little ones or your kids are a bit older, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Here are our top picks for what to do as a family in Cannon Beach:

Fly a Kite – Our wide, expansive beaches are perfect for kite flying! Visit Pinky’s Kite Factory in town before heading to the shore and let them help you choose a one-of-a-kind item. They even have stunt kites and can teach you how to fly them! While you’re at the beach, don’t forget to check out Haystack Rock!

Visit the Chocolate Café – A world of decadent, hand-made confections awaits at this delicious Cannon Beach shop. From other-worldly hot chocolates and truffles to coffees, milkshakes, nut clusters, and more, this will quickly become everyone’s favorite spot in town.

Play at the Park – Armed with a sufficient sugar high, head to City Main Park and let the kids burn off that energy on the playground. There’s also a skate park, picnic tables, pickleball and tennis courts, and a walking path.

Ride Bikes Through Downtown – Cannon Beach has an excellent downtown perfect for casual family bike rides. Whether you bring your own or rent some while you’re here, riding through town is a great way to see the sights. Take advantage of the easy hop-on/hop-off freedom and stop in the shops while you’re out!

Best Things to Do in Cannon Beach for Art Lovers

Cannon Beach has a thriving arts scene that consists of everything from independent galleries and annual festivals to theatrical performances and orchestral concerts. If you’re a collector or just someone who appreciates the arts, be sure to visit these places during your visit:

Cannon Beach Gallery Group – This collective consists of several individual galleries like DragonFire Gallery, Images of the West, House of Orange, Bronze Coast Gallery, and more. Check out their events or make note of their galleries and see how many you can visit while you’re in town!

North Oregon Coast Symphony – Since 1994, this talented group has brought fantastic classical music to the Cannon Beach area, performing concerts that feature everything from contemporary jazz to Beethoven. Check out their upcoming performances and see if there’s a show while you’re here. You won’t regret it.

Coaster Theatre Playhouse – Local theater shines bright on the stage in Cannon Beach. Experience our vibrant local talent in a production and support our local arts initiatives so we can keep our cultural scene thriving. See what’s running while you’re in town.

Stormy Weather Arts Festival – This annual event takes place each November and highlights why Cannon Beach has been named one of the 100 best art towns in America. Experience a host of gallery shows, art demonstrations, painting classes, live music, children’s activities, themed collections, and everything else you can imagine when you attend this popular festival.

Top Beach Activities in Cannon Beach, Oregon

With a name like Cannon Beach, you certainly can’t skip out on hanging by the ocean during your vacation. From sunset walks to exciting festivals, the beach is the center of life here. If you’re wondering what to do at the beach beyond the usual, try these activities:

Tide Pool Exploration – Low tide is the best time to go beachcombing. Explore the tide pools and find sea stars, unique shells, sea glass, and all kinds of creatures. You can also venture to Hug Point, just 5 miles south of town. Once a stagecoach road, this spot is known for seasonal waterfalls, caves, and sandstone cliffs.

Check Out a Sandcastle – The Cannon Beach Sandcastle Festival has been taking place since 1964 and if you’re here in June, it’s a can’t miss. See giant sand sculptures all along the coast, or try your hand at your own creation!

Fatbike Riding – If you don’t know what a fatbike is, there’s no better place to learn about it than Cannon Beach. Essentially, it’s just a bicycle with fat tires that make it easy to ride on surfaces like sand or snow. You can rent a fatbike in town and head out on a special 6-mile route, or if you’re visiting in May, catch the Fatbike Festival! This annual festival brings together exciting events, rides, and activities that celebrate community and this fun beach activity.  

What to Do in Cannon Beach, Oregon for Outdoorsy Folks

The Pacific Northwest was made for people who love the outdoors. While there’s no way to fit everything into this one article, we’ve selected a handful of our favorite things to do:

Visit Ecola State Park – Enjoy nine miles of scenic coastline and deep green forests as you explore this phenomenal state park. Full of wildlife, expansive views, lookout points, and trails, it’s a great way to spend a day (or two) during your trip.

Hike Neahkahnie Mountain – For unbeatable ocean views, you can’t miss this 3.4-mile loop trail near Nehalem, Oregon. Keep your eyes peeled for breaching whales in the distance!

See the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse – You can catch a glimpse of this landmark from Ecola State Park, Indian Beach, or on a boat tour. Known as Terrible Tilly, it was built in the late 1800s and has guided many ships to safety around our rocky coast.

Explore More of Cannon Beach When You Book Direct

Featured Property: Rees Cottage

These are just the tip of the Haystack, so to speak, when it comes to choosing what to do in Cannon Beach. If you’d like even more suggestions, check out the exclusive perks Beachcomber guests get at local businesses in town! Our partnership with Xplorie gives you free goodies every day of your stay, so don’t miss out!

Armed with your freebies and a full list of to-dos, the only thing standing between you and your dream Cannon Beach vacation is finding the best rental property for your stay.

At Beachcomber Vacation Homes, we have a variety of excellent properties perfect for every kind of visitor and budget. Plus, when you book directly with us, you’ll enjoy knowing you got your home at the best rate because you’re bypassing the extra fees of places like Airbnb and Vrbo.
Check out our available Oregon Coast vacation rentals and book your stay directly today. We can’t wait to see you!