Looking for a new place to take your vacation? Visitors will find numerous interesting things to do and see at Cannon Beach.

People have used this beach for hundreds of years; however, Cannon Beach was only incorporated in 1957. The Cannon Beach History Center has displays on the Native Americans who lived here: Chinook, Clatsop and Tillamook Indian tribes. The history of Cannon Beach over the past three hundred years is carefully recounted with artifacts and displays. The cannon, for which the beach is named, is also on display at the museum. Discover the fascinating story of the USS Shark, and how the cannon ended up on the beach.

Downtown Cannon Beach offers lots of wonderful shops and delicious places to eat.

The Little Pompey Wetland, found inside the city, and nearby Cannon Beach settling ponds are teeming with wildlife. Birds are the main attraction: green wing teal, northern shoveler, golden eye, mallard, bald eagle, fox sparrow, marsh wren, townsend warbler, white – fronted goose, and other birds as well. During the winter especially, you might even see a coyote, deer, or Roosevelt elk.

All Oregon beaches are open to the public for recreation. Cannon Beach has 4 miles of beach with 44 access points for visitors. These beaches are wonderful for all sorts of outdoor activities including surfing, kite flying, beach horseback riding, paragliding, kiteboarding, and surf fishing. Clams are plentiful on the beach and you can dig for them from December through September each year. Everything you need is available for rental in town. Remember, you need a license for clamming, also available in town for a nominal fee. You can fish on the beach or charter a boat and go deep sea fishing. You are even welcome to bring you dog to the beach. Just keep him or her on a leash.

On the beach, Haystack Rock and nearby Needles are sure to catch your eye. Haystack Rock towers 235 feet above the beach. The monolith itself is off limits to tourists, so be certain to bring binoculars. The tide pools are full of interesting marine invertebrates and the Rock provides homes for nesting birds. During December through early February up to 500 gray whales pass every day from 2 to 8 miles offshore on their way south. The north bound trip is more laidback with only a few hundred per day passing along the shore. There are a few whales that seem to stay here all the time. They can be seen even in the summer.

Haystack Rock has is one of the most photographed natural features on the Oregon Coast. It has appeared in several movies. A few of these are Sometimes a Great Notion (based on Ken Kesey’s novel), The Goonies, and Kindergarten Cop.

Those who come to Cannon Beach, come to enjoy the beach, hike the forest trails, participate in water sports or fishing, or view the birds at Little Pompey Wetland. You are sure to enjoy the time you spend here.
Article written by Mary Boyer

For more information check out these links.
http://ci.cannon-beach.or.us/index.html
http://www.cannonbeach.org/activities/wildlife_viewing.aspx

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