Cannon Beach is a picturesque beach community right on the beautiful coast of northwest Oregon. It is a scenic 90-minute drive west of Portland along winding open roads filled with tall evergreens, rolling hills, and vast spaces. Flanked by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Oregon Coast Range on the other, Cannon Beach was once just a small artists’ community, but now it has blossomed in popularity for its quaint charm and coastal living. In fact, it is my favorite beach town on the United State’s west coast.
So on a somewhat cold and mostly wet spring, I managed to make it here to this place that I love. And while the weather can be very harsh here during this time of the year, nature did not disappoint. Neither did this town.
Along the stretch of beach stands Haystack Rock which is the symbol and the most highly marketed tourist attraction of Cannon Beach. Its sits very conspicuously just off the shore along the main strip. At low tide this large rock exposes its many tidal pools filled with colorful sea life; a teeming aquatic ecosystem called a marine garden. Here orange and purple starfish and lime green anemones, as well as small crabs, flat algae, and tiny fish all dwell in abundance.
Beyond this rock, Cannon Beach is a casual and friendly place with everything you’d expect in a well-appointed beach town. The town itself is filled with cedar shingle buildings, picket fences, and gravel streets. Cottages look comfortable, projecting a “shabby chic and proud of it” attitude that suggests tracking in a little sand will not be the end of the world.
I spent hours on the beach photographing the sea creatures and then hours in town going to one small store and one art gallery after another. Though time didn’t seem to matter here. It went on slowly, and for once, I welcomed the slower pace of life.
In the evenings as the sun is about to set, an array of smells beckons. The aroma of cooking bar-b-que meats on the patios of the condos and hotel rooms along the beach as well as the wood burning in the fire pits all calls on me for dinner. While Cannon Beach is a foodie’s mecca for its gastronomical achievements in seafood (with its many top-rated and Michelin-starred restaurants), I actually prefer the casual meal over an open flame, right next to the water where I can hear the sounds of the waves breaking on shore.
Each night I spent here I would sit on the dry but cold sands, and look around me to see numerous bon fires swaying with the wind while dogs are happily running around and people are laughing away. Nights were cold and always with a layer of fog covering the beach. But we always endured and bundled up on the sand next to the fire to enjoy our dinner and the laughter that surrounds us.
For me, Cannon Beach provides the quintessential Oregon coast experience boasting with this is an array of colorful art galleries and sea life that inspires your senses. I usually come here time and time again. And each time is a different but familiar experience that I never forget.
163 East Gower
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
U.S.A.
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gorgeous green anemone. I have never seen a green one I don’t think. Lots of red ones with clown fish though
Purple ones were abundant, too. I just love all the different colors. It makes the place more fun.
Cannon Beach looks much like the Whitsunday Islands region, teaming with sealife and beautiful coves and beaches.
Thanks for sharing your photos and story!
Sounds like a place I’d like to visit some day.
I went to Cannon Beach in 2004 when I went to Oregon and I absolutely loved it. I reckon it would be a great place to live.
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I don’t doubt that it would be a great place to live. But I imagine also that once everyone leaves for the season, the place can get rather monotonous. Though some do like it that way
It must be really lovely at Cannon Beach. What do you call that green thing that glows? The starfish also look cute but I’m quite sad because I know that they’ll die when they’re taken out of the water.
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The green “thing” is a sea flower and grows in cold water. Sea stars don’t die when they go out of the water; they can still live. In fact, they live in tidal areas where there is high tide (submerged in water) and low tide (out of the water) – like in my photo.
Wow. Yes, northwest Oregon is a beautiful place. The Pacific Northwest has almost this ancient and mystical feel to it. I think it is the tall pines and humidity.
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I think its quite timeless in the Pacific Northwest; especially since there are so many trees and other living things that have been around for ages and will remain unchanged (hopefully) in the many years ahead.
Its a wonderful kind of place I want to visit someday very relaxing..Thank you for sharing with us..
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And I hope you visit some time during the warm months (its the most crowded but the most worth it time).
Hi Sherry, those are stunning pictures, especially the second photo! Very cool!
I’m so glad you liked them; thanks for looking!
Love the Oregon coast and the many facets of the shoreline and driftwood
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We are agreed: The Oregon coast is my favorite one on the west coast of U.S.A.
Lovely photos. This looks like such a peaceful place and the fog adds to the drama and mystique!
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You’re right, of course. The fog in Oregon is especially mystical because of all the evergreens and its rugged coast line.
We all love beach and I hope I can visit this Cannon Beach too.. Looks definitely a great place to have a holiday..
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Yes, particularly in the summer when the day light is long and the weather is warm; but it was still okay in the spring (when I went), if you don’t mind some drizzle once in a while.
I’ve either heard of this place or I have been there. It sounds so familiar. Those starfish are huge!!
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Its quite a popular place; particularly for the artist (or photographer) at heart. So you probably heard about it because of its reputation. And I would say, its worth the trip.
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You really captured the beauty and essence of this beach. Boy I would love to see this place some day. Amazing shots as always!
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Thanks Alexa! I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to show essence of this town just by simply writing about it. Its hard without actually being there. So I’m really glad you were able to get it
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Lovely photos, it looks so relaxing!
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The roadtrip going there was slightly difficult during this time of the year, but otherwise it was indeed a relaxing experience.
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Beautiful photos, Sherry. Never thought much about Oregon, I must admit. Time to rethink after this, I can see…
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This is the reason why I love reading about everyone else’s travels – to learn from each. Oregon is one of those destinations that I always enjoy going to again and again.
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We’ve never been to Oregon, but I know it’s on Mary’s list of places she really wants to go. Those first 3 shots definitely look awesome. Any good hiking around that area?
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So happy to hear Oregon is on your radar! I’d say you can’t go to Cannon Beach without also going to the nearby Ecola State Park which has several great trails. This park has a trail for all levels. And each one is worth it. But if you’d like to drive a few miles futher, one of my favorites hikes in the spring is the Tillamook State Forest’s Kings Mountain Trail. This a moderate hike well known for panoramic views and wildflower meadows. Really this part of Oregon has some of the state’s best hiking trails, I think.
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I’m so loving your photos on the Oregon Coast! Love the one of the starfish — I don’t know that I’ve ever seen that many clumped together like that.
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And I love visiting the Oregon coast. What’s weird was that the starfish were mostly clumped together. I think its perhaps they were too cold and wanted to be next to one another
That first photo is beyond dreamy — it makes me feel like I could lost on a deserted beach. So beautiful!
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Actually that first photo reminds me of the beaches in the NE USA. But what distinguishes it as Oregon is that its so much more beautiful! At least I think so.
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How wonderful, I just want to go to Oregon more and more. The sealife photos are superb!
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Totally worth it to go to this almost untouched state. Its so beautiful here. I’m surprised not more people come.
I went to Cannon Beach in my teens and absolutely loved it! These pics are beautiful!
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So glad you had great memories. Hope you get to go back.
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Wow, my jaw almost dropped. Your pictures are lovely! I especially love the second photo in which the starfish are just laying there in their sanctuary. Thanks for sharing!
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Its easy to take great photos when the subjects are so beautiful; but thank you for the compliment. The starfish are my favorite things to photograph here. Although, Haystack Rock is also quite impressive.
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I love looking at beach shots. These are fantastic, Sherry.
Cannon Beach is a beautiful place, even when it’s cold.
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What amaze me the most about the Pacific Northwest is that while it remains cold most of the year, its beaches and coast always remains stunning! And that’s lucky for me
That is pretty neat! I’ll have to remember that.
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Oregon has one of the most raw and beautiful coast lines in the USA. WOW!!! I never knew Cannon Beach would be so beautiful. You make me want to go on a raod trip to this place. Perhaps in the summer I’ll make it here.
No argument here about the Oregon coast – its worth a drive even if not to Cannon Beach. Summer is busy but the weather is perfect. Let me know if you go.
Your shot are stunning as usual! I love the second one that of the marine garden. Awesome!
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Thanks, Bills! That photo is probably most people’s favorite. I was lucky that even during this time of the year, the sun came out even for just a little while to be able to take some good photos of the marine garden. The seastars are among my favorite things at Cannon Beach.
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My first ever trip to Oregon included Portland and Oswald West… the coast line of Oregon is amazing
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So jealous that you’ve made it to Oswald West as I’ve always wanted to go, too. Somehow, I keep missing it. I’ll have to make sure I land there on my next journey through Oregon.
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You’ve been Cannon Beach on my radar with these amazing photographs. The flames are mesmerizing.
The Oregon coast is so beautiful! You won’t regret making it here to Cannon Beach. The beach, food, art, and people are all worth the trip.
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