Things to Do Near Cannon Beach Besides Just Haystack Rock

Ask anyone for some things to do near Cannon Beach and they will undoubtedly recommend Haystack Rock. While I can attest to its beauty after having the fortune of attending a wedding with this massive structure in the background, there’s so much more to see in this quaint town on the northern Oregon coast.

So if you’re visiting the area and want to know things to do near Cannon Beach besides Haystack Rock, here’s your guide to off-the-beaten-path sights, eats, and shops you must check out.

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Without traffic, Cannon Beach is about 3 hours and 45 minutes from Seattle and 1 hour and 30 minutes from Portland. However…there’s usually always traffic, particularly in the summer. So I highly encourage to travel during shoulder season.

To give you an idea of why you should think about your departure time, the last time I went we got stuck on some backroad because of an accident on I-5. We’d left on a Friday around 3 pm, hoping that would be early enough to beat rush hour traffic. However, it wasn’t. We got to Cannon Beach 7 hours later. Don’t make our mistake!

Minus the potential traffic, I love road tripping down to Cannon Beach. You’ll take highway 101 for the majority of the trip. You might recognize that highway. That’s because it’s the same highway that hugs the infamous California coastline past the Redwoods.

Cannon Beach is a relatively small, lazy beach town. It reminds me a bit of Cape May or the Hamptons on the east coast. It’s posh, but not pretentious.

Each beach dotting the northern stretch of the Oregon coast has its own vibe. You’ll hit Seaside, Oregon first if you’re coming from Washington. This beach town is bigger, but I think a bit more kitschy and grungy.

Manzanita to the south of Cannon Beach is also small and also slightly kitschy, catering to families. Of these three towns, Cannon Beach is my favorite because it’s a nice mix of family-friendly without too much kitsch.

Things to Do Near Cannon Beach

Here are all my favorite things to do near Cannon beach, organized by hikes, restaurants, and shops. I also share my map of all the best thing to do around Cannon Beach at the end.

Let me plan a custom trip for you if the idea of putting together an itinerary is overwhelming. I’d be happy to help you experience a dream trip!

Viewpoints and hikes near Cannon Beach

The Oregon coast has beautiful beaches and ocean views for days. Here are my favorite ways to experience them.

Haystack Rock

I will confirm like everyone else who gave you recommendations on things to do near Cannon Beach: you must get a few photos of the towering Haystack Rock. It’s a sea stack more than 235 feet tall formed by lava flows back in the day. You’ll see a bunch of similar dramatic rock formations around it, but Haystack looms over them like a giant.

I was surprised at how close this was to the shore. For some reason, I expected it to be much further away. But it’s literally right there, which makes for amazing photos.

Photographers should try to take photos at sunset, preferably at golden hour. This is when the sandy beach is still wet and dotted with pools, which makes for dreamy reflections of the cotton-candy-colored sky. I bet sunrise is also beautiful…and less crowded.

To give you an idea of why you should go at sunset, let me show you an image during the day and one when the sun starts going down:

Cannon Beach is right next to a cute downtown area, plus it’s pet friendly. So spending the day around Haystack Rock is a perfect starting point as you explore all the other fun things to do near Cannon Beach.

Arcadia Beach

If you want to do some beach lounging, I actually prefer Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site to Cannon Beach. It’s about 3.5 miles south of Cannon Beach and slightly less crowded. It also has more sand so people can spread out.

This is also a great place to go as you explore the different stops along the Oregon coast. There’s free parking and a few rock formations to explore as you walk up and down the beach.

Hug Point State Recreation Site

Hug Point State Park is just 5 miles from Cannon Beach and about 1.5 miles from Arcadia Beach. You walk through a forested picnic area with restrooms a short way to the beach.

Head north to find a seasonal waterfall, caves carved into sandstone cliffs, views of Haystack Rock in the distance, and tide pools accessible during low tide. You can even see the old stagecoach trail used by pioneers back in the day, wheel ruts carved in the rock and all.

Pro tip: Make sure to check the tide before you go. It’s common for people to get trapped when it’s high tide and unable to get back to the parking area.

Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park is the perfect stop if you’re looking for hiking trails and beautiful ocean views. This area is just north of Cannon Beach and hugs about 9-miles of coastline, with lush Sitka spruce forest dotting the cliffs. Squint to the south and you’ll see Haystack rock in the distance.

The park’s trail system includes an 8-mile section of the Oregon Coast Trail and a bunch of other hikes scattered throughout the park. One of those hikes is the 2.5 – 3 mile Clatsop Loop Trail, which has interpretive signage perfect for learning about the area’s history and even takes you past an old World War II radar installation. While hiking keep an eye out for Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, an eery historic lighthouse not in use that’s seemingly stranded in the middle of the ocean on a sea stack.

Another option is Crescent Beach Trail, which brings you to the less crowded Crescent Beach. Or take the longer hike across Tillamook Head for pretty views traveling along the same area Lewis and Clark traversed on the search for whale blubber!

Indian Beach is another popular spot in Ecola State Park. It’s secluded and a popular spot for surfers, beach goers, and tide pool explorers.

Neahkahnie Viewpoint

Blink and you might miss this viewpoint on Neahkahnie Mountain as you whiz by on highway 101 south of Cannon Beach. It’s one of the highest points along the Oregon Coast Trail and features sweeping views of the cliffs along the Oregon Coast, so definitely stop here!

Oswald West State Park

Oswald West State Park is another great stop if you’re looking for a hike. It stretches along the Oregon coast for 4 miles and is home to about 2,500 acres of forest and trails. In fact, a 13-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail weaves through it starting at Arch Cape all the way south to Manzanita.

Cape Falcon and Neahkahnie Mountain are included in the park and offer great hikes. You won’t find camping opportunities here, but it’s pet friendly and has a bunch of picnic spots and restrooms.

Short Sand Beach

Short Sand Beach, sometimes referred to as “Shorty’s” by locals, is within Oswald West State Park. It’s a sort of hidden cove accessible via about a 1/2 mile flat trail through the park. Many locals come here to surf and boogey board, but it’s a great spot for relaxing and picnicking if you don’t plan to partake in those extreme water sports (I know I wouldn’t!).

Restaurants near Cannon Beach

Lazy Susan Cafe

The Lazy Susan Cafe is the perfect spot for brunch. It’s located in an old home repurposed to be the quaintest little cafe. They don’t take reservations, so get their early to put your name on the list. When you’re in, make sure to get one of their scones as an appetizer for the table.

Bell Buoy

One of the things I miss about growing up on the east coast is the countless fish shacks dotting the shore. I immediately screamed, “Stop!” when we passed the Bell Buoy shack.

It’s a small, hole-in-the-wall type establishment serving fresh seafood. We were obsessed with the crab melts. So obsessed that we came back two days in a row. And the second time we remembered to order one each, because trust me, you don’t want to share it! Honestly, this is one of my favorite things to do near Cannon Beach.

Sleepy Monk

If you’re like me, there’s no such thing as “grabbing some Starbucks” while traveling. Instead you seek out the best place to get coffee wherever you are.

Sleepy Monk is that place in Cannon Beach. Come here to grab coffee before you begin your day.

Pelican Brewing

Pelican Brewing is one of those places just pulsing with activity. They’re located right at the main intersection as you enter Cannon Beach, and the open-air sides allow onlookers to get a glimpse of the raucous groups inside.

Stop here for some tasters to unwind after a day of beaching or sightseeing. Try to get here before dinnertime to avoid a wait.

Frites & Scoops

You’ll likely pass through Astoria, Oregon on your way to or from the Oregon Coast if you’re coming from Washington. One place you can’t miss is Frites & Scoops, a local ice cream shop serving up homemade ice cream and cones. As you see from the photo, I couldn’t wait to dive in before snapping a pic!

I absolutely loved their signature hokey pokey honey toffee flavor and their raspberry with raspberry jam ice cream served in one of their krumkake cone. Krumkake is a Norwegian crisp, which they turn into an irresistible base for their ice cream. What I loved about it is that it’s slightly savory due to dark molasses and rosemary.

Oh, and did I mention they serve french fries (hence the “frites” in their name)? I didn’t get these, but any place that is bold enough to serve french fries alongside ice cream is worth a stop in my book.

Shops near Cannon Beach

There are a bunch of art galleries and boutiques within walking distance of each other in Cannon Beach and Manzanita, so these areas are the best for a day of picking up souvenirs.

Sesame and Lilies

There are a ton of quaint little shops dotting the main street of Cannon Beach, but my absolute favorite is Sesame and Lilies. The first floor is mostly thoughtfully-curated home decor. But upstairs is the real gem: a labyrinth of rooms with vintage or refurbished home items. Everything is beautifully styled, so you could spend hours just gawking at the eye candy.

Finnesterre

I’ll be honest, I didn’t love Manzanita, another beach town less than 30 minutes south of Cannon Beach. It’s quiet and clean, but I found there to be too many kitschy stores and a bit too small to warrant making it a destination. Its beach is nice, but so are all the other beaches around it. I know people love it, so I’ll have to go back to see if I change my mind.

Despite not loving the town, I did love the store Finnesterre. It has a carefully-curated selection of home and style goods. I got a gorgeous wooden necklace that I get a ton of compliments on every time I wear it. So if you’re passing through, make sure to stop here!

Map of what to do near Cannon Beach

There is so much to see and do on the Oregon Coast. Hopefully this guide helps you make the most of your trip to the Cannon Beach area, but if you want more ideas I created a map that has both the things I recommended doing near Cannon Beach and other activities further south.

Add the map to your phone to find the places mentioned in this article. I’ll update it as I discover more places, so PIN THIS GUIDE FOR LATER!

More to explore near the Oregon Coast

• Glamping in Oregon Wine Country
• Must-Visit Wineries and Restaurants in Willamette Valley
• The Perfect Itinerary for Visiting Portland
• Best Things to Do in Oregon Wine Country Besides Drink Wine
• Boutique Hotels in Eugene, Oregon
• Why You Need to Visit 5th Street Public Market in Eugene