Cannon Beach
Nestled between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cannon Beach is a charming, small town along the north coast of Oregon. Located just seventy-five miles west of Portland, this close-knit community is proud of its well-known reputation as an artist’s haven and vacation destination. Whether it’s a day trip, romantic weekend or a week-long holiday, Cannon Beach has a little something for everyone. Here are a few recommendations of things you won’t want to miss when you visit.
Where to Stay
While there are plenty of travel websites that will give you the scoop on which hotels are supposedly the best, I recommend you save your money on your lodging costs and spend it elsewhere within the community. Honestly, how much time of your vacation are you planning on spending in your hotel room? If it’s your wedding, honeymoon or anniversary then perhaps you’ll be indoors more and I’d recommend splurging and staying on at the luxurious Ocean Lodge, but if you just need a cozy bed for your head for eight hours, I recommend the sweet boutique, Cannon Beach Hotel or the more affordable, McBee Cottages.
During the summer months, room rates increase and generally there is a minimum two-night stay at most hotels. If you’re going to be visiting the Cannon Beach area anytime between Memorial Day and Labor Day, it’s especially important that you make your reservations for lodging well in advance of your visit. Feel free to ask Lisa for other accommodation recommendations (bed and breakfasts, housing rentals, camping, hotels outside the Cannon Beach area) that might better suit your needs.
Where to Eat
As an eight-year resident of the area and a self-described yummy-goodness food-lover, Lisa knows where some of the best meals in town can be found. Start your day either at the Waves of Grain bakery with a scrumptious sweet or savory goodie and a cup of locally roasted Sleepy Monk coffee or enjoy a delicious omelet or waffle at The Lazy Susan Cafe.
In the downtown area, lunch-time meals should be consumed at Sweet Basil’s, (Jon makes healthy and organic soups, sandwiches, salads) or Pizza a Feta (standing in line for a slice is worth the wait!). A mid-town restaurant not to be missed for either lunch or dinner is the Cannon Beach Cafe. Seriously good food is served here and Josh will mix you up a fabulous cocktail that will make you thirsty for more. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert. The carmelized banana thing (I can’t remember its official name) is sinfully good.
While many of the restaurants in Cannon Beach serve European-influenced faire, they do not keep the same late-night hours international visitors might be accustomed to. Other than a couple bars, most dining establishments stop serving dinner at nine in the evening. I recommend you make early dinner reservations and then get yourself down to the beach and watch the sunset. As you can see, we don’t skimp when it comes to natural beauty.
When it comes to a lovely evening meal (good food, excellent service and nice atmosphere) the following restaurants are the ones you can consistently count on:
Newman’s at 988 ~ John and Sandy Newman’s place is a cozy, romantic dinner haven for two. French-Italian cuisine at its finest!
EVOO ~ It’s a cooking school, retail store and restaurant all in one. Dinners are pricey, but the four-course dining shows that Bob and Lenore create are fun and festive experiences you won’t soon forget.
Stephanie Inn Dining Room ~ Located in the four-star hotel of the same name, this restaurant serves four-course dinners with two different seating times. Extravagant and exquisite!
This is a very short list and there are many other places that serve quality food so be sure to ask Lisa for additional suggestions that are best for families, vegetarians and budget-conscious consumers.
People and Places
“Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet.” ~Will Rogers
If you stay long enough in Cannon Beach, it’s highly likely you’ll see familiar faces wherever you go. While the summer season brings in plenty of people, the town’s year-round residents number about sixteen-hundred so it’s fairly easy to make a few new friends while you’re here. Make it a point when you’re perusing a store or making a purchase to meet those folks behind the counter. More often than not, it’s the stories we share and the connections made with others that make our travels special.
Book lovers go see Watt Childress at Jupiter’s Books.
Bikers and hikers be sure to visit Mike Stanley at Mike’s Bike Shop.
History fans should speak with Sharon or Grace or one of the volunteers at the Cannon Beach History Center.
Wine connoisseurs ask for a recommendation and a tale of a good grape from Dean Reiman at The Wine Shack.
Art afficiondos get yourself to the most colorful and fun gallery in town and have a chat with Eeva Lantella or one of her friendly support staff at DragonFire Studio.
Spa enthusiasts seek out a treatment and understand the benefits of self-care from Tim and Dawn Krupa at the Cannon Beach Spa.
Take in the view from Ecola State Park and hike the trail to either Crescent or Indian Beach.
Check out the marine life at low-tide around Haystack Rock.
Walk through the Presidential Streets of town and look at the cottages.
Indulge your sweet tooth and pick up some salt-water taffy.
See a play at the Coaster Theatre.
Dance on the beach with others.
If your travels take you to the North Oregon coast, I hope you’ll give yourself plenty of time to explore this beautiful part of the state. Of course, if you can’t see and do everything you want to while you’re here, you’ll just have to come back! I hope I’ll be one of the people you meet when you come to Cannon Beach. I have a story or two I could share with you and I’d love to hear one of yours.
Happy Traveling and Dancing!
Lisa Evans