Cannon Beach, a city in Clatsop County, Oregon is an affluent tourist vacation rental destination. Because of its proximity to Portland, it is known as a weekend vacationing spot for Portlanders.
Cannon Beach is situated on the Pacific Northwest Coast of Oregon, 80 miles west of Portland and 25 miles south of Astoria. The rugged natural beauty of forests, ocean beaches, and rivers surrounds Cannon Beach. Only four miles long with a population nearly 1,600, Cannon Beach is a trendy and scenic resort area, playing host to an estimated 750,000 visitors yearly. Many of these 750,000 find accommodation in Cannon Beach vacation rentals and vacation homes along the coast as well as vacation condos.
The City of Cannon Beach is distinctive in both beauty and the diversity of its surrounding natural environment. From its stunning beaches and lush forest to the gigantic monolith known as Haystack Rock the natural resources are sources of constant amazement for its inhabitants and visitors alike.
Cannon Beach was formerly named Ecola, after the creek that empties into the Pacific Ocean just to the north of the Cannon Beach. In 1922 it was renamed Cannon Beach after the name of one of the beaches that extends south of Ecola creek ending at Arch Cape.
Haystack Rock, located to the southwest of downtown Cannon Beach is a monument that has long defined Cannon Beach along the Oregon Coast. Haystack Rock is an igneous rock that has an elevation of 235 feet, and is usually accessible at low tide. There is a small cave that can be seen from the coastline. The Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge protects haystack as a marine sanctuary. Near Haystack Rock there are also two tall rocks climbing straight out of the water known at Needles.
Cannon Beach’s downtown area is filled with small boutiques, art galleries and fine cuisine. Chain stores have been discouraged from building in Cannon Beach in order to preserve the local economy and small town atmosphere.
Hemlock Street is the main road through Cannon Beach and runs from the north end of town to the south past Tolovana Park. Both ends of Hemlock connect to Route 101.
