Cannon Beach Travel Guide

City Coastal town famous for Haystack Rock formations

Cannon Beach centers on Haystack Rock and long sand stretches below coastal pines; tide pools, Ecola cliffs and small galleries draw walkers, birders and storm watchers year-round.

Costs

$150-300 per day (touristy)

Coastal tourist prices for lodging and dining rise in summer and weekends.

Safety

Safe; watch ocean hazards

Very safe town; ocean hazards like rip currents and tides are the main concern.

Best Time

June-September (peak)

Summer for warm beach days; shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and dramatic storms.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

5:09 AM

GMT-7

Weather

51°F

Fog

Population

1,702

Infrastructure & Convenience

Car-based access; small, highly walkable downtown with tourist signage and limited public transit.

Popularity

Highly popular Oregon Coast weekend and summer getaway for photographers and families.

Known For

Haystack Rock, tide pools, long sandy beaches, art galleries, seaside inns, photography, coastal trails, birdwatching, boutique shopping, festivals

Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a protected seabird and tidepool reserve rising about 235 feet above the shore.

Why Visit Cannon Beach? #

On Oregon’s northern coast, this seaside town is known for its dramatic shoreline and easy access to marine life. Haystack Rock rises from tide pools teeming with anemones and seabirds, while Ecola State Park provides cliff-top viewpoints and old-growth forest trails. The compact downtown is full of galleries, cozy cafés and artisanal bakeries that reward gallery-goers and beachcombers alike. A mix of coastal walks and creative small-town culture gives the place a memorable coastal character.

Best Things to Do in Cannon Beach

All Attractions ›

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Maritime museum interpreting Columbia River's nautical history

Museum

Haystack Rock

Iconic 235-foot sea stack and wildlife refuge

Island

Fort Clatsop

Lewis and Clark winter encampment replica at coast

Park

Astoria Column

Historic column monument offering panoramic views over Astoria

Park

Cape Disappointment State Park

State park with historic lighthouses and shoreline views

Park

Oswald West State Park

Oregon coastal park with old-growth forest and surf

Park

Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Refuge

Offshore wildlife refuge protecting seabirds and marine mammals

Park

Cannon Beach Bucket List

Don't Miss

Haystack Rock - Walk the beach to Haystack Rock at low tide and explore tidepools and seabirds.
Ecola State Park - Hike Ecola State Park trails for coastal panoramas, cliffs, and forested headlands.
Downtown Cannon Beach - Browse art galleries and coastal boutiques lining historic downtown Cannon Beach.

Hidden Gems

Hug Point - Explore Hug Point's sea caves, seasonal waterfall, and rocky shoreline at low tide.
Cannon Beach History Center & Museum - Learn local maritime and logging history at the Cannon Beach History Center museum.
Coaster Theatre Playhouse - Catch a production at the Coaster Theatre Playhouse, a longtime community theater.

Day Trips

Astoria - Drive to Astoria for the Columbia River Maritime Museum and Astoria Column views.
Tillamook Creamery - Visit the Tillamook Creamery for cheese tours, samples, and family-friendly exhibits.

Best Time to Visit Cannon Beach #

Visit Cannon Beach late spring through early fall for mild, mostly dry weather and dramatic coastal scenery. Winters are cool and rainy, with fog and strong surf.

Winter

November - February · 4 to 10°C (39 to 50°F)

Cool, rainy, and often windy-dramatic storm-watching and empty beaches, but expect frequent drizzle, gray skies, and limited outdoor dining options.

Spring

March - May · 7 to 15°C (45 to 59°F)

Mild, sometimes showery; wildflowers and quieter beaches make it pleasant for walks-bring layers for fog and gusty afternoons and drizzle.

Summer

June - August · 12 to 20°C (54 to 68°F)

Sunny, cool days with minimal rain; perfect for beachcombing, tide pools, and long strolls-expect crowds on warm weekends and art festivals.

Best Time to Visit Cannon Beach #

Climate

Cannon Beach's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 3°C to 20°C. Heavy rainfall (2005 mm/year), wettest in December.

Air Quality: AQI 20 Good

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

31°

Warmest Month

-7°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (293 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 10°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

293 mm

Rainfall

5.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.0h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (236 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 12°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

236 mm

Rainfall

4.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (217 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 12°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

217 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (148 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 14°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

148 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

7° – 16°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

98 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

14.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

9° – 17°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.4h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

80 Excellent

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

86%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

38 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Very High

15.1h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).

80 Excellent

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

11° – 20°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.6

UV Index

Very High

13.9h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).

72 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

9° – 20°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

81 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

6° – 17°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

163 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (304 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 12°

90%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

304 mm

Rainfall

4.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

December

December is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (314 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 10°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

314 mm

Rainfall

5.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.6h daylight

How to Get to Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is best reached via Portland International Airport (PDX) and then by car or shuttle; public transit options to the town are limited and seasonally variable. Renting a car gives the greatest flexibility to explore the coast and nearby state parks.

By Air

Portland International Airport (PDX): The main gateway for Cannon Beach; driving time to Cannon Beach is about 75-90 minutes (roughly 80-90 miles) depending on traffic. Rental cars are the most common option; airport shuttles and private transfers are available-expect roughly $100-160 for a private transfer one-way, rental cars vary by season.

Astoria Regional Airport (AST): A smaller regional airport north of Cannon Beach with limited commercial service; if you find scheduled flights into AST, the drive to Cannon Beach is about 30-35 minutes. Options are primarily rental car or taxi for the final leg.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no direct passenger rail service to Cannon Beach; the nearest Amtrak stations are in Portland and closer to the coast in South-Washington state, requiring drive or bus connections.

Bus: Beach-bound services include regional shuttle companies and seasonal public connections from Portland to coastal towns. The TriMet regional bus network serves points in and near Portland; several private shuttles and tour operators run PDX↔Cannon Beach transfers-book seasonally and expect about 90-120 minutes travel time from PDX by shuttle.

How to Get Around Cannon Beach #

Cannon Beach is very walkable - the town center and the shoreline are close together so you can leave the car parked and stroll between galleries, shops and the beach. Parking can be busy in summer, and some lots charge or have time limits. A car is useful for exploring the wider coast and nearby state parks. Public transit is limited; biking and walking are the easiest ways to get around town in peak season.

Where to Stay in Cannon Beach #

Budget

Downtown / Beach - $90-180/night

Basic, walkable stays close to the beach and main street. Expect small motels and cozy inns; book early in summer when inventory sells out.

Inn at Haystack Rock - Simple rooms, steps from the beach.
Tolovana Inn - Casual oceanfront with kitchenette options.

Mid-Range

Haystack Rock area - $160-300/night

Comfortable coastal hotels within easy walking distance of galleries and restaurants. Good balance of views and convenience for couples and families.

Surfsand Resort - Oceanfront rooms with family-friendly amenities.
The Ocean Lodge - Comfortable ocean-view rooms and suites.

Luxury

Oceanfront / Haystack Rock - $250-450/night

Limited ultra-luxury options; the best rooms are beachfront suites with premium views. Expect higher rates in high season and limited inventory overall.

Surfsand Resort - Oceanfront Suites - Upscale suites and beachfront service.
The Ocean Lodge - Premium Rooms - Higher-end ocean-view rooms and balconies.

Where to Eat in Cannon Beach #

Local Seafood

Seafood-forward coastal dining mixes fish markets and ocean-view restaurants, focusing on fresh catches, casual brewpubs and bakery breakfast stops right near the shore and Haystack Rock.

Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market - Fresh local seafood and take-home market
Pelican Brewing Company - Cannon Beach - Sea-view brews with pub-style seafood plates
Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge - Cozy dinner spot with Pacific views
Cannon Beach Bakery - Popular bakery serving breakfast and sandwiches

Casual & Coastal

Casual options range from coffee shops and bakeries to brewpubs and family-friendly diners, perfect for easy meals after beach walks and tidepooling.

Public Coast Brewing Co. - Casual pub with local craft beers
Insomnia Coffee - Coffee and light bites, beachside favorite
The Irish Table - Comfort food and hearty plates nightly
Wayfarer Bar (casual lounge) - Lounge atmosphere for cocktails and small plates

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Cannon Beach's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Seafood

Pizza

Steak

French

Italian

Mexican

Regional

Fish & Chips

Nightlife in Cannon Beach #

Nightlife is relaxed and seasonal. Expect a mix of brewpubs, wine bars and restaurants with occasional live music in summer; after the season nights are generally quiet. This is a beach town vibe rather than a late-night urban scene, so evenings are low-key.

Shopping in Cannon Beach #

Shopping is concentrated along Hemlock and downtown streets, with a strong focus on art galleries, coastal décor, surf shops and small boutiques. Many stores cater to tourists and local artists, especially in summer. There are no large shopping centers in town; most visitors browse independent shops and galleries.