Introduction
Cannon Beach is one of the most charming seaside towns in America. The cedar shake aesthetic, caliber of local establishments, and surrounding rugged landscape make this beach town an exceptional place.
Renowned for its many art galleries, restaurants, Bed & Breakfast establishments, and quaint shops, you won’t want to miss this gem on the Oregon coast.
Haystack Rock is one of the most recognizable basalt sea stacks in the world. A sighting of this famous rock on social media or in print immediately takes viewers to the Pacific Northwest. It is one of the most iconic features on the western seaboard of the United States.
This post is a collaborative effort between myself and Benjamin Theurer. Ben and I have become good friends over the years and he is an extremely talented photographer specializing in landscapes, portraiture, and wedding photography.
Ecola State Park - Ecola Point Day-Use Area
In The Movies
Cannon Beach has graced the silver screen numerous times over the years. Feature films such as The Goonies, Kindergarten Cop, the original Point Break, and Twilight have been filmed in the area.
Ecola State Park, just north of Cannon Beach, is continually on display throughout these films.
The Goonies - the beloved 1985 adventure film shot at various locations around Cannon Beach. The beach near Haystack Rock was featured in the opening car chase sequence. The Fratelli family’s hideout, the Lighthouse Lounge, was built at Ecola Point Day-Use Area. Many scenes were filmed along the grassy bluffs of the park. Bird Rocks & Haystack Rock can often be seen in the distance.
Kindergarten Cop - the Ecola Point Day-Use Area was also used for the Astoria Elementary School Fair scene in this classic 1990 film. A bounce house, pony rides, petting zoo, and carnival booths can be seen in the open grassy area with school buses and horse trailers in the parking lot.
Point Break - Indian Beach was the setting for the climactic final scene of Point Break (1991) where Johnny Utah decides to let Bodhi ride his last big wave. The location stood in for Bells Beach in Victoria, Australia.
Twilight - Indian Beach also happens to be the location where Bella watches her friends enjoy a day of surfing. The scene where Jacob explains the myth surrounding the Cullens also took place here. This location stood in for First Beach in La Push, Washington.
To Do
Theater
The Coaster Theater Playhouse regularly presents live productions for residents and visitors alike. With approximately six productions per year, an evening of live theater is a most enjoyable experience. Originally built as the Coaster Roller Rink in the 1920s, this historic building was remodeled and converted into the theater as seen today in 1972.
Art Galleries
Many unique galleries exist in Cannon Beach, but Cannon Beach Arts Association, Miska Studio Gallery, Bronze Coast Gallery, and Archimedes Gallery are a few of our favorites to walk through. Beautiful pieces exist in each of these galleries and a visit makes for an enjoyable outing.
(Photographer: Benjamin Theurer)
Where To Stay
Many boutique hotels and inns exist along the beach. Seaside home rentals are also available. Almost all accommodations are within walking distance of numerous galleries, shops, and restaurants in this quaint town.
The best pet-friendly hotel is the Hallmark Resort & Spa. This Cannon Beach resort was a fantastic place to stay with our dogs. The cliff-side staircase leads directly onto the beach mere steps away from Haystack Rock. The rooms and amenities were very comfortable and we greatly enjoyed our stay!
Best Eats
Cannon Beach Smokehouse - renowned for their amazing array of smoked meats and cheeses, this small public house is one block off the beach on 2nd Street. Open for lunch and dinner, the delectable offerings are best enjoyed with a local craft beer or specialty cocktail.
Local Grill & Scoop - offering both indoor and outdoor seating, Local Grill & Scoop is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Offerings include locally caught fish and seafood, pasta entrees, and homemade desserts. The blackened halibut sandwich or fish tacos are highly recommended!
Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market - Established in 1993, the Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market is the place to go for the best wild-caught fish and seafood. The Beckman family fishes two commercial vessels along the Washington and Oregon coasts.
Insomnia Coffee Co. - one of the best coffee shops in Cannon Beach is Insomnia Coffee Co. located on 2nd Street. Serving up Dapper & Wise coffees and a small array of pastries, this shop was a mainstay of our stay.
Highlight
Elk Flats Viewpoint (Photographer: Benjamin Theurer)
Elk Flats Trail
One of our favorite places on the Oregon coast is fifteen minutes south of Cannon Beach. The Elk Flats Trail will leave most viewers in awe and should not be missed. Sheer cliffs and multiple sea arches await those willing to make this fantastic hike!
This moderate hike is approximately three miles round trip and has 600 feet of elevation loss and gain. Please be advised that this trail can become very muddy and slippery during periods of heavy rains.
The trailhead begins at a gravel parking area between Cape Falcon and the town of Neahkahnie Beach. From the trailhead, the main trail quickly descends and splits off into two main branches. One branch heads south and the other to the north.
The southern branch (left) leads hikers down to an unnamed point showcasing dizzying cliffs with multiple sea arches. The northern branch (right) leads hikers to Treasure Cove and the Devils Cauldron. All three viewpoints are breathtaking.
Our most recent trip to this area was blanketed in a sideways rain the entire day. Luckily, a good friend and super talented photographer, Benjamin Theurer, was willing to collaborate on this post and lend some of his images.
Precipice (Photographer: Benjamin Theurer)
Conclusion
Anyone planning a coastal road trip through the Pacific Northwest should add Cannon Beach to their itinerary. This seaside town is an awesome place hosting a plethora of epic locations to visit nearby. Only a few hours away from both Portland or Seattle, this destination is well worth the effort to travel to.
Above it All - West face of Haystack Rock