If you’re looking for a place that’s just as much fun as Seaside, Oregon, but a little smaller and more upscale, Cannon Beach is the place for you. With nine miles of beautiful beaches, a shoreline of incredible sea stacks, and tide pools full of scampering sea life, simply relaxing on the beach is one of the most favorite things to do in Cannon Beach, Oregon.
With fun events like the annual sand castle building contest, Fourth of July Parade, and Lawn Chair Brigade, Cannon Beach, Oregon, also offers lots of excitement and a wonderful place to live.
A Town Perfect For Relaxing
Named for a cannon from the U.S. Navy Shark schooner shipwreck that washed up on the beach in 1846, Cannon Beach might have started with a bang, but the town that followed was built with relaxation in mind from the very beginning.
With city streets strategically planned for strolling along and blocks of unique shops and quaint restaurants, city officials work hard to enforce strict regulations that ensure Cannon Beach keeps its rustic charm.
Cannon Beach, Oregon, offers a unique ecosystem. More than 2,000 seabirds nest on the coast of Cannon Beach each year, including bird watching favorites like pigeon guillemot, tufted puffin, pelagic cormorant, black oystercatcher, and more. The thick forests of Cannon Beach, Oregon, offer plenty of inland opportunities to get out into nature with many hiking trails and camping areas throughout Ecola State Park.
Historic Landmarks
- Haystack Rock – A 235-foot high sea stack just off the coast of Cannon Beach, Oregon, Haystack Rock is the third largest sea stack in the world and holds designation as a nationally protected wilderness area overseen by the Oregon Islands national Wildlife Refuge.
- Marine Garden – Just below Haystack Rock in a 300-yard radius is Marine Garden. The tide pools of Marine Garden are full of colorful marine life like starfish, algae, anemones, algae, and more.
- Coaster Theatre – The Coaster Theatre Playhouse has brought the magic of entertainment to Cannon Beach, Oregon, residents since it opened as Coaster Roller Rink in the early 1920s where it showed silent movies once a week. In 1972, Maurie Clark purchased the dilapidated Coaster Roller Rink and converted it into today’s Coaster Theatre.
Cannon Beach, Oregon, Today
Today, Cannon Beach, Oregon, remains true to its roots as a small town. While it’s a town with plenty to do, local officials keep development at bay to preserve the charm of Cannon Beach.
The area is an extremely popular vacation destination for people looking for a little rest and relaxation. In fact, there are likely more second homes in Cannon Beach than full time resident homes. The most popular residential neighborhoods include The Presidential Streets, Tolovana Park, Haystack Heights, and Chapman.
Cannon Beach, Oregon, is one of those unique locales that will probably always stay as quaint and charming as it is today. It’s a wonderful place to visit and a great place to live.
About Jeremy
Jeremy Linder