Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach ranks 7th in the list of the best day trips from Oregon. It is a well-known, picturesque seaside small town. It has been named the "best overall beach in Oregon," one of America's best art towns, and one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Cannon Beach, named after a naval cannon that washed up after a shipwreck in the 1840s, has a lot of character. Haystack Rock is a massive towering rock formation off the coast, surrounded by stone "needles," vibrant tidepools, and flocks of seabirds. Ecola State Park, located nearby, is perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff and offers panoramic coastal views, easy walking paths to scenic picnic areas, and extensive hiking trails.

Cannon Beach, known as one of the Northwest's top art towns, is brimming with art galleries, specialty shops, cafes, and fine dining restaurants. Visitors can watch glass blowers at work in their studios or attend live theater performances all year. This creative edge can be seen in everything from the town's residents' sensibility to the annual sandcastle building competition, which features stunning works of art adorning the sandy beach.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Clatsop, Oregon

Distance from Oregon City: 94.3 miles

Travel Time from Oregon City: 1 hour 39 minutes

Best Months to Visit: July through early September