Search 
Matt Wastradowski
Matt Wastradowski is an Oregon-based travel writer who loves writing about the great outdoors, craft beer, and regional history.
Adventures in Seaside and Cannon Beach
Take a fun day trip to the friendly beach towns of Cannon Beach and Seaside.
Matt Wastradowski
Matt Wastradowski is an Oregon-based travel writer who loves writing about the great outdoors, craft beer, and regional history.
There’s plenty to love about Portland, but there’s no denying the allure of the Oregon Coast. Seaside and Cannon Beach, occupying the ancestral homes of the Clatsop and Tillamook tribes, sit just 90 minutes west of the Rose City. These coastal towns are surrounded by basalt sea stacks and groves of Sitka spruce — welcoming visitors with outdoor adventures, freshly pulled saltwater taffy, local seafood and epic sunsets in all four seasons.
That close proximity makes the region an easy trip from Portland, so here’s how to enjoy a memorable visit to Seaside and Cannon Beach.
Take a Day Trip From Portland
Seaside and Cannon Beach sit roughly 80 miles (129 km) west of Portland via Highway 26 (which runs east-west through Portland and the Oregon Coast Range) and Highway 101 (which runs north-south along the Oregon Coast). From where the highways meet near the coast, it’s about a five-minute drive south to Cannon Beach or a seven-minute drive north to Seaside.
Credit: Joni Kabana
Seaside has been welcoming tourists since the early 1900s and showcases plenty of old-school charm, while Cannon Beach is a quiet, artsy enclave. Both are popular getaways for families who appreciate easy beach access, kid-friendly activities and a variety of eateries.
If visiting popular trailheads or beaches on a sunny summer weekend, try and depart from Portland by 8 a.m. for a quieter experience. In winter, check the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck tool for live traffic cams, current road conditions and updated weather along your route.
Perfect Proximity
Seaside and Cannon Beach are a quick 80 mile (129 km) drive west from Portland.
What to Know About Visiting Cannon Beach and Seaside
When is the best time to visit Seaside or Cannon Beach?
The Oregon Coast is a great destination all year long. Winter’s cooler temperatures and overcast skies offer solitude, while king tides and storm-watching showcase the power of Mother Nature. In mid- to late March, families flock to the Oregon Coast for spring-break getaways, springtime hiking and shopping. Sunny days and crisp evenings make summer the most popular time to visit, and autumn brings easy wildlife-watching.
Note that many seasonal businesses reduce their hours or shutter altogether in fall and winter, so check with your desired stops to see if they’ll be open when you plan to visit.
What is the weather like?
Between June and September, high temperatures typically range from 60–70F (16–21C) — with just four to seven days of rainfall per month. By winter, high temperatures drop to 50–55F (10–13C); rain is far more common in cooler months, and the Oregon Coast rarely reaches freezing temperatures.
Is public transportation available?
The Point runs a twice-daily bus service between Union Station near downtown Portland and the Oregon Coast, with stops in Cannon Beach, Seaside and other communities on the north coast; tickets cost $18 each way.
What should I pack for a day trip to the coast?
Your best bet is to prepare for the elements. In spring and summer, that might mean sunblock (with an SPF of 30 or higher), a hat and a reusable water bottle. In fall and winter, pack long pants and a water-resistant or waterproof jacket. The region may receive up to 10” of rain per month between November and January. Any time of year, layers are a good idea.
Top Things to Do in Cannon Beach and Seaside
Family fun is top of mind in lively Seaside. One of the coastal town’s most popular attractions is the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) Seaside Promenade, more commonly known as “The Prom.” The flat, paved path runs north-south alongside downtown Seaside and the Pacific Ocean, offering easy access to the beach, restaurants and shops nearly every step of the way. Enjoy a lazy stroll or rent a four-seat surrey from Prom Bike Shop.
Credit: Courtesy of Travel Oregon
Cannon Beach, meanwhile, is synonymous with Haystack Rock — one of the state’s most-photographed sites. The 235-foot (71.6 m) basalt sea stack sits just offshore near downtown and is home to all manner of wildlife, including peregrine falcons and tufted puffins. You may recognize Haystack Rock from the classic American film The Goonies, so do your best truffle shuffle when you get there to truly honor the memories. End your Cannon Beach adventure with a browse through their numerous curated gift shops, like The Water Witch for all things cosmic or Basalt for handmade coastal ceramics.
Credit: Katie Falkenberg; Courtesy of Travel Oregon
Scenic Hiking Trails and Beautiful Beaches in Cannon Beach and Seaside
Inland rivers, rocky headlands, forests of Sitka spruce and other natural wonders make Oregon’s north coast an outdoor playground.
Around Seaside, for instance, visitors don’t need to leave city limits for outdoor adventures. Between March and October, Wheel Fun Rentals at Quatat Park rents a variety of watercraft — including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards — on the Necanicum River in the heart of Seaside. And at the southern edge of downtown sits the hulking Tillamook Head, where a traverse hike covers 6.3 miles (10.1 km) round-trip while showcasing views of old World War II buildings, a towering forest and the Pacific Ocean. Keep an eye out just offshore for Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, nicknamed Terrible Tilly for the punishing winter storms it has endured since first lighting in 1881.
In Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park covers 9 miles (14.5 km) of coastline and is home to myriad hiking trails, beach access points and views of craggy sea stacks just offshore. If you’d like to put your feet in the sand, Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site is near downtown and showcases wide-open views of Haystack Rock to the north.
To get up close with local wildlife, try tidepooling around Haystack Rock — where sea stars, anemones, crabs and other coastal residents are revealed in intertidal areas and tidepools as the tide recedes. Read up on tidepool safety for tips on reading tide charts, keeping wildlife safe and having the best possible experience.
Where to Shop Around Cannon Beach and Seaside
Numerous souvenir shops line the Broadway corridor in downtown Seaside, and a few stops around town offer thoughtful gifts. The family-owned Salmon River Smokehouse, for instance, sells small-batch hot sauces, regionally sourced kettle corn and wild-caught salmon. Built around a functioning carousel ride, families will love exploring the Seaside Carousel Mall, where they can find myriad gifts, candies, coffee and ice cream.
No trip to the Oregon Coast is complete without grabbing a bag of saltwater taffy — so choose among more than three dozen flavors at Bruce’s Candy Kitchen, a Cannon Beach mainstay since 1963. Enjoy another time-honored coastal tradition when you stop by Pinky’s Kite Factory for a colorful lineup of wind-powered crafts. Named one of America’s 100 best art towns, art lovers in Cannon Beach should head to one of its many art galleries. DragonFire Gallery’s barnyard red doors and floral glass installations lure passersby into a kaleidoscopic splash of primary colors, paintings, glassworks, sculptures and more.
Where to Eat in Cannon Beach and Seaside
Seafood is at the heart of Seaside’s dining scene, but globetrotting menus offer plenty of variety. Grizzly Tuna serves its fresh albacore from a drive-thru kiosk, the long-running Bell Buoy of Seaside prides itself on selling sustainably caught seafood alongside the Necanicum River and Osprey Café dishes an eclectic breakfast and lunch menu that draws inspiration from South America, South Korea and other international influences.
Fuel up for a day of adventure around Cannon Beach with scratch-made pastries, fresh-baked bread and piping-hot coffee at Sea Level Bakery + Coffee. If you’re in the mood for a taste of the Oregon Coast, Ecola Seafood Restaurant and Market serves a wide-ranging menu of wild-caught dishes in a casual environment. Public Coast Brewing Co. pairs its house-made beers with pub food that uses fare from the brewery’s farm near Portland, and the chic Stephanie Inn Dining Room prepares a five-course, prix fixe meal crafted with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Elsewhere Online
Oregon Coast Visitors Association
Oregon Coast Visitor's Guide
Was this page helpful?