The gem of the North Oregon coast, Cannon Beach is known as a destination for art lovers. Named for the cannon that washed ashore when the U.S. Navy schooner Shark was wrecked in 1846, the native people were visited by William Clark in 1806. Les Shirley Park near downtown is believed to be the southern-most point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
From Ecola State park in the north (with its world-class views of the beach) the city stretches four miles along the coast through downtown to Tolovana Park in the south. This beautiful city has consciously retained its picturesque quality, and is filled with art galleries, quaint houses, charming shops, restaurants, and a live theater. Cannon Beach is the quintessential beach town.
Walk the miles of beaches with postcard views of off-shore rocks, learn to surf, or hike the nearby Coast Range and its rain forests. Attend art, glass blowing, writing, or cooking classes. Build a sand castle or watch the competitors on Sand Castle Day. Join in the Stormy Weather Arts Festival, take a class through Portland State University's Haystack Summer Program in the Arts, join the fun at the Annual Puffin Kite Festival, sing with the Cannon Beach Chorus (which has sung at Carnegie Hall), and enjoy the annual Sculpture Without Walls exhibit.
Play peek-a-boo with the 235 ft. tall, Haystack Rock as it suddenly appears everywhere as you walk or drive around town. Haystack Rock, the third largest off-shore monolith in the world, is protected as a Marine Garden and as a seabird nesting refuge. Watch the changing seasons through the life of the sea birds and tour the lush tide pools with the help of a guide from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program (or be trained to become a HRAP guide yourself).
With a population of 1,600, Cannon Beach is the kind of close-knit community of old-fashioned and contemporary--stories. Year-round activities provide the residents with a community and cultural life that makes this artists? colony lively at any time of year. If you dream of the perfect home on the beach, this is the place for romantics and artists.
