Cannon Beach 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.
53°F
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#
Cannon Beach Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January
January is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (293 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (236 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (217 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (148 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Heavy rain (304 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
Comfort
Weather
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.
Comfort
Weather
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.
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.
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#
Driving from Portland (PDX) or using an airport shuttle is the practical way to get to Cannon Beach. Public transit exists but is limited seasonally-rent a car or reserve a shuttle in advance for the most reliable arrival.
- Rental car ($40-$120/day) - A rental car from PDX is the easiest way to reach Cannon Beach and explore the Oregon Coast-the drive follows I‑5 and US‑26/US‑101 and takes roughly 75-90 minutes. Coastal roads can be busy on summer weekends; plan extra time for stops and parking at popular beaches.
- Airport shuttle / private transfer ($30-$160 one-way) - Several private shuttles and transfers operate between PDX and Cannon Beach-these are convenient if you prefer not to drive. Pre-booking is recommended in peak season; transfers typically take 90-120 minutes and prices for shared shuttles are often $30-60 per person, private vans higher.
- Taxi / Rideshare ($120-$250+ one-way) - Rideshares from PDX to Cannon Beach are possible but can be expensive due to distance; taxis will be costly for a one-way trip. Rideshares are more practical for short local trips once you’re on the coast.
- Local buses / shuttles ($5-$30) - Seasonal local shuttles and bus services connect coastal towns; frequency and availability are limited outside the summer months. Check regional transit and visitor resources for current schedules before planning without a car.
- Cycling (Varies (bike rental ~$20-40/day)) - Experienced cyclists can enjoy scenic roads around Cannon Beach, but be prepared for variable coastal winds and limited shoulder in places. Best for local exploration rather than long-distance transfers from PDX.
- Walking - Cannon Beach’s downtown and shoreline are highly walkable; once you’re in town, art galleries, restaurants and the beach are an easy stroll from parking or lodging.
Where to Stay in Cannon Beach#
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.
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.
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#
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 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.
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.
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.
