Cannon Beach is one of the many centers for artistic creativity on the Oregon Coast. Cannon Beach also has a wide variety of art galleries to choose from. Cannon Beach is a magnet for artists, photographers and wildlife artists, and captivates visitors with its hometown ambiance and spectacular scenery. Located 80 miles northwest of Portland, the town supports a thriving artist community. Cannon Beach is a popular day-trip or weekend getaway from Portland, for locals and tourists alike. It’s about 80 miles from downtown Portland, and has actively worked to maintain a small town feel.
If it weren’t for all the other people who think Cannon Beach is a wonderful place, this town would be perfect. However, Cannon Beach is suffering from its own quaintness and the inevitable upscaling that ensues when a place begins to gain national recognition. The most popular attraction in Cannon Beach is the beach itself. The beach is wide and several miles long. Cannon Beach is also home to Ecola State Park, one of the most beautiful scenes in all of Oregon. You also have a terrific vantage point on the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, located one mile out to sea.
During low tide, check out the tide pools around Haystack Rock, which juts dramatically from the coastline some 235 feet. The tide pools are filled with interesting sea creatures. The rock and marine garden are amazing to see, but it is important to know that they are both very vulnerable to human disturbance. Research shows that in a small area everything can be killed with just 200 steps an hour, so please be careful and try to walk only on bare rock.
We got married right in front of the rocks at Cannon Beach. I remember playing in that exact spot when I was a kid, never did I dream that one day it would be where I married the man of my dreams. Enjoy the breathtaking landscapes, summer sunsets and winter storms with 180 degree views from famed Haystack Rock to Ecola State Park. The vistas from this home are unmatched and you will often see schools of whales swimming right in front of the home. The vistas from this home are unmatched and you will often see schools of whales swimming right in front of the home.
The tidepools in the Marine Garden are dynamic areas rich with marine life such as seastars, anemones, crabs, algae, and many others. Collecting is strictly prohibited and it is crucial to be aware and use extreme caution while walking in these areas. A short walk down this lovely beach and you’ll be at the base of Haystack Rock, which is a dedicated, protected Marine Garden. Haystack Rock and the area around it are abundant with sea life. Haystack Rock - This basalt monolith, which rises 235 feet above the beach, is home to a wide variety of birds and marine life. At low tide you are allowed to gently pick your way around the rocks and tide pools for close-up views of multicolored starfish, crabs and chitons.
