Why Not to Stay in Cannon Beach, Oregon
Where to consider instead for family mid-term travel on the Oregon Coast
Cannon Beach is very nice for a vacation getaway. Many people say it’s even one of their favorite places to vacation, and return year after year. It delivers the postcard version of the Oregon Coast, but it doesn’t give you the breathing room or the everyday rhythm you want for a Life From Anywhere stay. Read on for fun things to do on a side trip to Cannon Beach, and at the end of this article, our best places on the Oregon Coast for an extended stay.
Cannon Beach looks exactly like what you might expect of a town on the Oregon Coast. Most of the buildings are cedar shake. The shops are cute — galleries, boutique clothing stores, coastal home décor, chocolates. Plenty of places selling things meant to be carried back to Portland or Seattle. The town is clearly designed for strolling: wide sidewalks, polished storefronts, curated window displays, and a stream of visitors browsing with lattes in hand. It’s an easy place to enjoy for an afternoon.
In the residential areas, people take pride in their gardens. The neighborhoods on the north end, the blocks east of the beach, are peaceful and well-kept. The only sound are birds singing in the tall trees. It’s lovely, but we noticed that many window drapes were closed up, as if the homes were unoccupied, at least on weekdays.
The good: at the beach, you will see families of all ages going for walks and enjoying tech-free time together. We observed teenagers playing a beach game, kids digging in the sand, and lots of happy dogs. (They’re not all on leash, and people don’t seem to care in this region.) The beach seems to go on forever. Walking or going for a run on the compacted wet sand during low tide, the constant roar of the Pacific Ocean waves – it’s meditative. Glorious.
Although here’s the thing… you’ll get that gloriousness a lot of places along the Oregon Coast. There’s majesty for miles, both north and south. If you choose a more residential, less marketed destination, you’ll pay less and have more budget for a longer stay. Time is the precious commodity, isn’t it? You’ll also have fewer tourist crowds (at least in spring through fall), and a more authentic Life From Anywhere experience. Stretching your stay from one week to four or more transforms the whole experience—and that’s much easier to do when you’re not in the most photographed zip code on the coast.
Things to Do in Cannon Beach
Go to Cannon Beach to see the elk and the adorable puffins on Haystack Rock during breeding season (April through July). Hit the candy store and some of the other charming shops. If you’re an active group, hike up nearby Saddle Mountain for a good workout.
Consider one of these other Best of the Oregon Coast destinations as your home base:
- Best for a chill vibe (and its own big rocks on the beach): Seal Rock
- Best for walkability: Manzanita
- Best for being on the water on a budget: Nehalem or Newport
- Best for sunshine: Wheeler
- Best for beaches with tidepools: Yachats
- Best for history: Astoria
- Best for nearby hiking: Lincoln City or Tillamook
Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.
This article really made sense to me. We usually seek out popular tourist destinations that tend to be expensive and crowded. Newport is a better option offering lower costs and the opportunity to blend in with the population.
Well done.