Cannon Beach, Oregon

One of American’s Best 100 Art Towns

If you never been to Cannon Beach, Oregon, add it to your bucket list of small towns. Cannon Beach is a mini version of Carmel-By-The-Sea, California with shops, galleries, live theater, market and restaurants. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain Range just north of Manzanita, rests this town rated as top America’s best small towns, famous for its forested headlands, towering monoliths and 3.5 miles of pristine, sandy beaches. Buildings follow the architecture of the cape cod with white trim, very clean, neat and offering lots of character. 

The beauty and serenity of the shores along Cannon Beach has not gone unnoticed. Featured in Stephen Leatherman’s book, America’s Best Beaches, the margin of sand bordering Cannon Beach was rated Best Overall Beach in the state of Oregon. Author John Villani names Cannon Beach as one of America’s Best 100 Art Towns. National Geographic listed Cannon Beach as “one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places” in their June 2013 issue.

How the Town got it’s Name

In 1846, a cannon from the US Navy schooner Shark washed ashore just north of Arch Cape, a few miles south of the community. The schooner hit land while attempting to cross the Columbia Bar, also known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” The cannon, rediscovered in 1898, eventually inspired a name change for the growing community. The cannon is now housed in the city’s museum and a replica of it can be seen alongside US Route 101. ​

Haystack Rock – Cannon Beach’s icon

Haystack Rock is kind of like Cannon Beach’s icon – formed as a result of lava flow from 16 million years ago. Rising up from the sand at 235 feet tall, it can be seen from almost everywhere in town. It had starring role in The Goonies.  Other attractions readily reached from town include Ecola State Park, Indian and Crescent Beaches, the Bird Rocks and Silver Point. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is visible out to sea, amidst vistas of waves and seasonal populations of birds. Miles of beach, wooded areas, hiking trails and parks offer plenty of healthy diversions in the great outdoors. ​​

Discovered on the Lewis and Clark Expedition

The first recorded journey by a European to what is now Cannon Beach, was made by William Clark, one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in early 1806. The expedition was wintering at Fort Clatsop, roughly 20 miles to the north near the mouth of the Columbia River.