Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is a resort town on the coast in the state of Oregon in the western United States. The sandy shore runs several kilometers along the Pacific, while the 72-meter rock formation Haystack Rock rises from the water offshore.

The settlement was originally called Elk Creek before being renamed in 1922 after a cannon from the sunken schooner Shark washed ashore. The offshore rock had served seafarers as a navigation landmark along this route for centuries.

The town center holds galleries and shops that display local crafts and paintings by artists from the Pacific Northwest. In June, families gather on the sand to build sculptures, while an autumn festival brings together regional painters and photographers.

The drive from Portland takes about an hour and a half by car via Route 26 and then Highway 101 heading north. During low tide, visitors can walk closer to the rocks and watch small crabs and starfish in the tidal pools.

Local bylaws prevent large retail chains from opening branches here, so only small privately owned shops line the main street. This makes the local shopping row stand out from the usual American coastal resort architecture.

Location: Clatsop County

Inception: 1956

Elevation above the sea: 9.14 m

Part of: Northern Oregon Coast Range

Website: http://ci.cannon-beach.or.us

GPS coordinates: 45.88917,-123.96083

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:15