Travel

Cannon Beach is a Classic Oregon Beach Town

When only a place with sand and waves will do, Cannon Beach is the perfect spot.

By Jessica Yadegaran August 14, 2017

cannon-beach-beach

This article originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of Seattle Magazine.

You may have visited Cannon Beach to explore the abundant sea life at Haystack Rock, walk along the miles of beach or watch bald eagles soar through Ecola State Park. Northwesterners flock here to take in the scenery, play in the sand and engage in indulgent hours of easy relaxation, making it one of Oregon’s most popular beach towns.

But there are new reasons to visit this essential beach spot, and most of them are unabashedly indulgent. Start with a stay at the family-friendly beachfront Surfsand Resort, where kiddos can feast on bottomless saltwater taffy (offered in jars by the front desk), and the recently renovated beach-level rooms feature sliding glass doors, private patios and chic plank flooring. Don’t forget to book a beachside bonfire package, complete with artisan s’mores and a fire butler.

Need a bit more sustenance? Pack a picnic with goodies from Fresh Foods, a new gourmet market at the south end of town with an abundance of organic produce, tasty grab-and-go meals, and the best beer and wine selection in town. In the morning, take a short walk to Sea Level Bakery for single-origin coffees, house-made soups, açai bowls and baked goods made from scratch, including deliciously unique, stuffed kouign amann.

For lunch or dinner, head to downtown’s latest, the massive Public Coast Brewing for a Juiced Up citrus IPA, Haystack O’ french fies sprinkled with Jacobsen sea salt and a 7-ounce Harris Ranch burger. But, consider holding the cheese—the Tillamook Cheese Factory (open during construction of a new Olson Kundig–designed visitor center coming in 2018) is about an hour’s drive south, and totally worth a visit. Tours are free, and samples are generous. It’s Disneyland for dairy lovers.


Image Credit: Cabell Tice
Jason and Liz menke invite you to enjoy coffee or a meal at Sea Level Bakery 

Insider Tip: Want to avoid the summer crowds at Haystack Rock? Chapman Point, to the north, and spots south of the Tolovana Wayside often have less foot traffic. 

Details:
Stay
Surfsand Resort, from $129 surfsand.com

Eat
Fresh Foods; Facebook, “Fresh Foods Cannon Beach”
Sea Level Bakery sealevelbakery.com
Public Coast Brewing publiccoastbrewing.com

Do
Ecola State Park oregonstateparks.org 
Tillamook Cheese Factory Tillamook, 4175 U.S. Highway 101 N; tillmook.com/cheese-factory 

Follow Us

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World's Best  

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best  

Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs...

You Better Belize It

You Better Belize It

Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer

With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The

Direct, Connect, Reflect

Direct, Connect, Reflect

It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle

Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…