National Geographic’s top 100 most beautiful places. Haystack Rock. Puffins in spring. One of the world’s 100 most beautiful places — and for once, the superlative is earned.
Haystack Rock Height
From Portland
Of Walkable Beach
Tufted Puffin Season
Single Most Important Planning Step
Arrive on Summer Weekends for Parking
Sandcastle Contest — Book Ahead
Our Top Pick Season
One of Oregon's Best Dog Beaches
National Geographic named Cannon Beach one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places, and for once, the superlative is earned. You walk down a sandy path between coastal pines, the ocean sound builds, and then the beach opens up — wide and flat and impossibly cinematic, with Haystack Rock rising 235 feet out of the surf. Which, in fact, several film directors have used as a backdrop. You’ve seen this beach in The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, and Point Break, even if you’ve never been to Oregon.
But Cannon Beach is more than one photogenic rock. It’s an entire ecosystem of experiences packed into a four-mile stretch of coast: world-class tide pools teeming with sea stars and anemones, tufted puffins nesting in spring, Roosevelt elk grazing in the meadows behind the beach, dramatic headlands with trails that feel like the edge of the world, and a downtown village with more art galleries per capita than almost anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. All of it 90 minutes from Portland.
Everything at Cannon Beach is tide-dependent. The tide pools at Haystack Rock, the sea caves at Hug Point, the best beach walking — all low tide. Checking the tide chart is the single most important step before you plan your day. Check NOAA tide predictions for Cannon Beach before your trip.
Below 0.0 feet is good. Below -1.0 feet is exceptional — the lowest intertidal zones open up revealing creatures that never see air otherwise. If your trip coincides with a minus tide, reorganize everything around it.
Be at the beach 1–2 hours before the day’s lowest tide. The pools are revealing themselves, the crowds haven’t peaked, and you have maximum time to explore. The ideal plan is arrival, coffee, then beach.
Arriving mid-afternoon to find Haystack Rock surrounded by water with no tide pools visible. They take a photo and leave thinking they’ve seen it. Come at low tide — it’s a completely different experience.
A 235-foot basalt sea stack formed 17 million years ago by Columbia Plateau lava flows, and a designated National Wildlife Refuge. Four miles of flat, walkable sand stretch north and south.
The Haystack Rock Awareness Program stations trained volunteers at the rock during low tides from mid-February through late October. They set up microscopes, identify creatures, and answer questions. Free, educational, and genuinely delightful — especially for families with kids. At low tide the intertidal zone around the base is one of Oregon’s seven designated Marine Gardens: sea stars in every color, green anemones the size of dinner plates, hermit crabs, chitons, and nudibranchs. See our Oregon tide pools guide.
Tufted puffins nest on Haystack Rock from late April through mid-August — the most accessible puffin viewing site in the Pacific Northwest. The birds nest high on the rock. Bring binoculars or a zoom lens. The HRAP volunteers often have spotting scopes set up for public use. See our Oregon wildlife guide for more coastal wildlife viewing.
Chapman Point to Silver Point — four miles of flat, walkable sand at low tide. Firm enough for jogging and fat biking (there’s even an annual Fat Bike Festival in May). Beach bonfires are legal and a beloved evening tradition — local shops and hotels sell grab-and-go fire kits. Build below the high tide line and extinguish completely before you leave.
A resident herd of Roosevelt elk lives in the area and regularly appears in the meadows behind the beach and along the roadways. Seeing a full-grown elk stroll across the dunes at sunset is one of Cannon Beach’s unexpected pleasures. Keep your distance — they’re wild animals and can be unpredictable, especially during rut season.
Cannon Beach’s dramatic counterpart — high headlands, old-growth Sitka spruce forest, and coastline views that belong in a nature documentary. Requires an Oregon State Parks parking pass ($10/day out-of-state, or annual pass in 2026).
From the main parking area, a short walk leads to one of the most photographed viewpoints on the entire Oregon Coast — a sweeping panorama south across Crescent Beach to Haystack Rock and beyond. On clear days, you can see Tillamook Head to the north and Tillamook Rock Lighthouse (“Terrible Tilly”) sitting isolated in the ocean a mile offshore. This viewpoint alone justifies the parking fee.
Take the spur road within the park to Indian Beach — a rugged cove popular with surfers and far less crowded than the main beach. The south end has excellent tide pools that most visitors never see. The setting — narrow sand surrounded by cliffs and old-growth forest — feels wild and remote despite being ten minutes from downtown. This is our top beach pick for those wanting the Cannon Beach experience without the midtown crowd.
The Tillamook Head Trail runs 6 miles from Ecola State Park south to Seaside, crossing the headland Lewis and Clark described as one of the most beautiful views they’d ever seen. Serious half-day hike through rainforest with some muddy sections but extraordinary viewpoints. The shorter Clatsop Loop Trail (2.5 miles) offers old-growth forest, ocean views, and a connection to Clark’s Point of View. See our Oregon hiking guide for full trail details.
Five minutes south on US-101 — a small beach cove hiding several surprises. A seasonal waterfall cascades directly onto the sand at the south end (best in winter and spring). At low tide, walk south around the headland to discover sandstone sea caves. And look for the hand-cut ledge carved into the rock — the original wagon road before Highway 101 existed, where early automobiles and horse-drawn wagons literally drove around the headland. The point got its name because travelers had to “hug” the cliff to get around it. At low tide, you can walk between Hug Point and Arcadia Beach (just south) — beautiful.
Ten minutes south of town, this is where the Oregon Coast turns truly wild. A half-mile walk through ancient rainforest — moss-draped Sitka spruce, ferns taller than you, light filtered through a canopy that turns everything almost underwater — delivers you to Short Sand Beach, a crescent of sand in a protected cove popular with surfers. The Cape Falcon Trail extends to a dramatic headland viewpoint; Neahkahnie Mountain Trail climbs to 1,631 feet for one of the highest coastal viewpoints in Oregon. 2026 note: Oswald West now requires an Oregon State Parks pass. The lot fills by mid-morning on summer weekends — arrive early.
Visitors come expecting Goonies filming locations, but most of the movie was filmed in Astoria, 25 miles north. Haystack Rock appears only in the final scene as the pirate ship sails away. The real Goonies pilgrimage means driving to Astoria to see the house, the jail, the bowling alley — then coming to Cannon Beach to stand on the beach where it all ended. Do both and you’ve got a memorable North Coast day.
No chain stores. No neon signs. Locally owned galleries, boutiques, bookshops, and restaurants with the kind of character that corporations can’t manufacture. See our Oregon Food & Drink Guide for the broader coastal dining scene.
Original watercolors and paintings of the coast. One of the North Coast’s most respected fine art galleries.
Contemporary fine art and crafts. A cornerstone of Cannon Beach’s designation as one of the top art towns in the Pacific Northwest.
Glass-blown art made on-site. Watch the glassblowers at work — one of the few places on the coast where you can see art being created.
A real independent bookstore. The kind that still exists in Cannon Beach because this town takes culture seriously.
Ocean views and Pacific Northwest seafood. The most scenically positioned fine dining in Cannon Beach — reserve ahead for a window table.
Excellent fish and chips and chowder in a casual counter-service setting. The honest, unfussy coastal seafood stop that locals and in-the-know visitors go to first.
The local brewery, and it’s good. Also anchors the North Coast Craft Beer Trail — pick up a passport and visit participating breweries from Astoria south. See our Oregon breweries guide.
Locally sourced ingredients and a menu that changes with the season. The best breakfast in town when you’re not in a rush.
Every guide tells you to park at midtown, walk to Haystack Rock, browse Hemlock Street, and drive to Ecola. That’s a fine visit. But Cannon Beach has layers that most guides never discover.
South of midtown, where the road curves toward Tolovana, there’s a small easy-to-miss stairway beach access just below Viewpoint Terrace. It drops you onto the sand closer to Haystack Rock than any other access point — practically front-row seats. The move: park at the midtown lot or Tolovana Wayside and walk to this access from the beach side. It’s also a spectacular sunrise spot when you may have Haystack Rock entirely to yourself.
Everyone crowds around Haystack Rock’s base at low tide. Meanwhile, a mile south at Silver Point — walkable from the Tolovana Wayside — you’ll find excellent tide pools with a fraction of the people. Same species as Haystack (sea stars, anemones, crabs, chitons) in a quieter, more intimate setting. Spring is best before summer sand buildup covers the lower rocks. Our top recommendation for visitors who want genuine tide pooling without the crowds.
The best intertidal area near Cannon Beach isn’t at Haystack Rock — it’s below the cliffs at Ecola Point, at the north end of Crescent Beach inside Ecola State Park. Getting there requires a moderate 1.25-mile hike from the main Ecola parking area. The reward is a rocky shoreline rich with marine life that almost no tourists visit. During the very lowest tides, you can also reach Ecola Point by walking north around Chapman Point from the main beach — but check tide tables carefully before attempting this, as incoming water can cut off your return.
Most visitors watch sunset from near Haystack Rock at midtown. But the south end of the beach near Silver Point offers something arguably better: Haystack Rock silhouetted against the sunset sky, with the Needles in the foreground and the full sweep of the beach stretching north. A photographer’s angle that the midtown crowds never see. On a good evening, the rock formations create reflections in the wet sand that are genuinely extraordinary.
Nothing is cheap, especially in summer. Book early. Summer weekends, holidays, and Sandcastle Contest weekend (June 20, 2026) sell out months ahead. See our Oregon Lodging Guide for the full coastal picture.
Direct Haystack Rock views. These are the oceanfront options — splurge-worthy for a special occasion. All three book out fast. Reserve 2–4 months ahead for summer weekends.
Ocean views at more moderate rates than the midtown oceanfront properties. At the south end of the beach — slightly quieter and slightly better value. Good base for Silver Point tide pooling.
Substantial vacation rental market, particularly for families and groups. A rental with a kitchen can save significantly on dining costs during a multi-day stay.
Cannon Beach proper has no budget lodging. Seaside (8 miles north) or the Arch Cape/Manzanita area (10–15 miles south) offer more affordable options — drive in for the day.
No campground in Cannon Beach itself. Nearest state park camping: Nehalem Bay State Park (~20 miles south) or Fort Stevens State Park (~25 miles north). Both in our Oregon camping guide.
Several smaller inns and bed-and-breakfasts along Hemlock Street provide character and walkability at prices between the oceanfront splurge and vacation rentals. A good middle-ground option for couples.
Parking is the one thing that genuinely frustrates visitors, and most guides barely mention it.
Near Hemlock and Gower — most convenient for Haystack Rock. Short walk to beach access. Time-limited and enforced. Fills by mid-morning on summer weekends.
South end, larger parking area — requires Oregon State Parks pass ($10/day or annual in 2026). From here, Haystack Rock is about a one-mile walk north along the beach. Pleasant and scenic.
Same state parks pass covers both Ecola and Tolovana. Separate lot — if you’re visiting both, the annual pass ($60/$75 in 2026) pays for itself quickly.
Arrive before 9 AM on summer weekends. If the midtown lot is full, try the free public lots on the east side of Hemlock. If those are full, park at Tolovana and walk the beach north — it’s a beautiful mile. Weekdays are dramatically easier. Off-season is a non-issue. Read the parking signs carefully. Enforcement is active and the tickets are real — visitors who ignore time limits consistently report receiving them.
See our Best Time to Visit Oregon guide for the full statewide picture.
The summer crowds vanish after Labor Day. Weather is often still pleasant, lodging rates drop noticeably, and the light turns golden — fall sunsets at Cannon Beach are some of the best on the coast. If you have any flexibility, this is when to come.
Peak season. Warmest weather (highs in the upper 60s, rarely above 72°F), longest days, best chance of sunshine. Also the most crowded, most expensive, and hardest to park. If you come in summer, arrive early and ideally on a weekday.
Storm watching season. Massive waves, dramatic skies, and the cozy appeal of downtown shops on a rainy afternoon. Stormy Weather Arts Festival in November. Whale Watch Week in late December and late March brings volunteers to Ecola to spot migrating gray whales.
Wildflowers bloom, puffins arrive on Haystack Rock in late April, and the Sandcastle Contest (June 20) is the most popular event of the year. Weather is unpredictable — pack layers and a rain jacket regardless of the forecast. The coast in spring green is genuinely beautiful.
See our Oregon Events & Festivals Guide for the full statewide calendar.
Trained volunteers at Ecola State Park with scopes and binoculars for migrating gray whale viewing.
Literary gathering with readings, workshops, and author events in town.
Gallery openings, artist demonstrations, and new exhibitions across all of downtown.
Fat tire bike events on the beach and surrounding trails. Family-friendly and increasingly popular.
Since 1964, the oldest sandcastle contest in the Pacific Northwest. Professional and amateur teams build extraordinary creations near Haystack Rock. Book lodging months ahead.
Small-town parade and the Great Puffin Watch. Cannon Beach is fireworks-free by tradition — a refreshing break from the norm.
The History Center’s tour of vintage cottages and dream homes along the coast.
Gallery events celebrating the drama of winter on the coast. One of Oregon’s best shoulder-season cultural events.
Holiday lights, Lamp Lighting Ceremony, holiday tea, photos with Santa. Downtown transforms for the season.
About 80 miles, roughly 90 minutes by car via US-26 west. It’s an easy day trip from Portland or a comfortable weekend getaway — but an overnight stay genuinely improves the experience, particularly for watching sunset and having dinner downtown without rushing back.
A 235-foot basalt sea stack formed roughly 17 million years ago by lava flows from the Columbia Plateau. It’s a National Wildlife Refuge and home to protected tide pools (a designated Marine Garden), nesting tufted puffins (late April through mid-August), and diverse seabird colonies. At low tide, you can walk right up to its base.
Tufted puffins nest on Haystack Rock from late April through mid-August. Bring binoculars or use the spotting scopes provided by the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) volunteers, who are stationed at the rock during low tides from mid-February through late October.
Yes — one of the most dog-welcoming beach towns in Oregon. Dogs are allowed on the beach (leash not required on the beach but recommended). Dogs must be leashed in Ecola State Park. Many restaurants and shops are dog-friendly. It’s genuinely a great destination with a dog.
No — they’re very different towns 8 miles apart. Seaside has a more commercial, carnival-style boardwalk atmosphere with arcades and saltwater taffy. Cannon Beach is quieter, more art-focused, and centered on the natural landscape. They complement each other well but attract different visitors. See our Seaside guide for the comparison.
No reservation needed for the beach or town. Ecola State Park and Tolovana Wayside require an Oregon State Parks parking pass ($10/day or $60–75 annual in 2026). Hotels should be booked well in advance for summer and festival weekends — especially around the Sandcastle Contest (June 20, 2026).
Layers — even in summer, coastal weather can shift quickly from sun to fog to drizzle. A wind-resistant jacket, comfortable walking shoes that can handle sand, and an extra pair of socks (your feet will get wet at some point) will serve you well. Leave heels at home — Ecola’s trails are muddy and the beach has soft sand at the edges.
Oregon Coast Guide →
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Oregon Tide Pools Guide →
Oregon Wildlife & Nature →
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Best Time to Visit Oregon →
Portland Guide →
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363 miles of public coastline — the complete guide from Astoria to Brookings.
