Visit this expansive beach to enjoy fabulous seaside scenery and the independent shops in the village.
Cannon Beach has a lot to offer lovers of the coastal environment, and can be found a two-hour drive from Portland. The shore is 14 kilometres long, and forms part of the 584-kilometre Oregon coastline, all of which is open to the public. Bring a picnic and enjoy a day at the beach, swimming or just relaxing in the summer sunshine. If you're here later in the year, keep your eyes open for grey whales on their migratory routes – they usually pass by here during the months of December to January and March to June.For a mixture of sea and trees, head for Ecola State Park. Follow the path along the coast and enjoy the surrounding conifers, along with the many vantage points. One of the best of these is the view towards the iconic Haystack Rock from Ecola Point. There is a small fee for entry to the park.Standing 72 metres in height and accompanied by two other rocks known as the Needles, Haystack Rock stands out starkly against the surrounding Oregon coastline. The bases of all three rocks form an area of breathtaking biodiversity in the intertidal zone. The rock pools here are home to an array of sea life, from starfish and anemones to crabs and algae. No climbing on the rocks or interfering with the marine flora and fauna is allowed, as this is an Oregon Islands National Wildlife Reserve.When you’ve finished with the beach, stroll along Hemlock Street and go window-shopping in the many boutiques and independent shops of the village. The businesses here are protected by a local ban on big chains of shops and restaurants. There are also a number of galleries, and local crafts are on sale, as well as gourmet food, surf equipment and clothing. A number of charming shops specialise in vintage furniture and other antiquarian items. Visit Icefire Glassworks to see how glass is forged and shaped, and maybe pick up an artistic piece to take home with you.Art festivals take place in the area in May and November of each year. Children will be delighted by the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Festival in particular, which has been part of the calendar since 1965. And if you were wondering where the town's name came from, try the History Centre and Museum! There you'll find the original cannon from the shipwrecked USS Shark schooner, source of Cannon Beach's unusual name.
