There are places that feel like they were written into the world by a poet. Cannon Beach, Oregon, is one of them. Perched along the wild and rugged coast of the Pacific Northwest, this seaside village is more than a backdrop for a postcard—it’s a mood, a memory, a story waiting to be lived.

If you’re dreaming of mist-draped mornings, dramatic sea stacks, cozy fireside evenings, and the kind of slow, soulful adventure that feeds your creative spirit, here’s your weekend guide to Cannon Beach—crafted to make every moment feel cinematic.

🌲 Friday: Arrival + First Light at the Edge of the World

3:00 PM – Check-In with a View

Start your weekend by checking into one of Cannon Beach’s dreamy oceanfront stays. The Ocean Lodge evokes old-world romance with its shingled architecture, crackling fireplaces, and sweeping views of Haystack Rock. If you’re feeling more modern-boho, try Surfsand Resort, where every room faces the surf, and you can fall asleep to the rhythm of the waves.

4:30 PM – Stroll the Shoreline

Drop your bags, slip off your shoes, and head straight to the sand. Haystack Rock—the 235-foot sentinel of the sea—rises like a myth from the shore, surrounded by tide pools teeming with starfish, anemones, and scuttling crabs. As golden hour hits, the light turns everything surreal: the foam glows, the clouds blush, and the whole coastline becomes a painting.

6:30 PM – Dinner at The Wayfarer

With floor-to-ceiling windows and a menu rooted in local bounty, The Wayfarer Restaurant is a front-row seat to sunset. Order the Dungeness crab cakes, sip a pinot noir from the nearby Willamette Valley, and let the slow rhythm of the coast sink in.

8:00 PM – Fireside Moments & Star Gazing

Many oceanfront lodges offer complimentary fire pits or in-room fireplaces. Crack open a bottle of wine, curl up under a blanket, and step outside. On a clear night, the stars above Cannon Beach spill across the sky like glitter on velvet, the Milky Way arcing above the dark silhouette of the rock.

Saturday: Stormy Seas, Cozy Corners & Forest Trails

8:00 AM – Morning Mist & Coffee at Sleepy Monk

Wake up early and walk into town for a caffeine fix at Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters, a beloved local haunt tucked inside a tiny wood-shingled cottage. Order a bold French roast or a lavender mocha and sip it slowly on a bench outside while the marine layer drifts inland like a dream.

10:00 AM – Wander the Town’s Storybook Streets

Downtown Cannon Beach is a small but charming mix of art galleries, boutiques, and whimsical storefronts. Pop into DragonFire Gallery to browse Pacific Northwest-inspired works, then stroll to Cannon Beach Book Company, a cozy indie shop perfect for finding your next fireside read.

Don’t skip Jeffrey Hull Gallery, where the watercolor seascapes feel like they were painted in real-time from the cliffs outside.

12:30 PM – Lunch at Seasons Café

For a casual bite, Seasons Café serves hearty, coastal-inspired fare like wild salmon BLTs and garden-fresh soups. Grab a seat by the window and watch the changing skies as you plan your afternoon.

2:00 PM – Ecola State Park: The Emerald Overlook

Drive 10 minutes north to Ecola State Park, one of the most cinematic coastal scenes in Oregon. Fog weaves between Sitka spruces as you wind up the road to a viewpoint that overlooks endless pines, Haystack Rock in the distance, and waves crashing onto mossy cliffs.

Hike the Clatsop Loop Trail, an easy 2.5-mile loop that takes you through towering forest and opens up to jaw-dropping ocean vistas. If the rain falls lightly, don’t fret—it only adds to the magic. Mist curling through the evergreens? You’re in a forested fairytale.

5:30 PM – Sunset Picnic or Dinner In

On dry evenings, grab a blanket, a local cheese board from Cannon Beach Bakery, and settle into the dunes for a picnic at sunset. On rainy nights, opt for cozying up indoors with takeout from Bistro or Newmans at 988—two standout spots for elevated coastal cuisine.

Sunday: Tide Pools, Reflections & One Last Look

7:30 AM – Tide Pooling at Haystack Rock

Time your morning with the tides and return to Haystack Rock at low tide. It’s more than just a backdrop—this marine garden is alive. Purple sea stars cling to the base, green anemones sway in the shallows, and puffins sometimes nest in spring and summer.

You’ll be walking where the sea lives and breathes—quiet, reverent, and teeming with small wonders.

9:00 AM – Breakfast at The Lazy Susan Café

The Lazy Susan Cafe is a local institution serves old-fashioned breakfasts that warm the soul. Order the sour cream pancakes or the salmon scramble and savor it slowly—this is a no-rush town, and that’s the beauty of it.

10:30 AM – Hug Point: A Hidden Coastal Gem

Before heading out, make one last stop at Hug Point State Recreation Site, just a few minutes south. The beach here hides sea caves, small waterfalls, and an old stagecoach road carved into the cliffs. If the tide’s right, it’s a place where the Pacific whispers secrets from the past.

12:00 PM – Farewell, With Sand on Your Shoes

Check out, but don’t rush. Take one last walk through town. Pause for a final view of Haystack Rock. Breathe it all in—the smell of salt, pine, and firewood; the soft hush of waves; the quiet poetry of a town that invites you to slow down and feel.

🧳 What to Pack

Wool layers and waterproofs—weather shifts fast A wide-brim hat and scarf (for wind and style) Sturdy boots for forest trails and beach walks A good book, journal, and your favorite camera

Final Thoughts

Cannon Beach isn’t about checklists or high-energy sightseeing. It’s about letting the landscape move you, about slow sips of coffee with ocean views, about stories written in sea foam and pine needles. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, it always feels like stepping into a world where nature holds the pen and you are part of the poetry.

Because here, even a weekend can feel like a film you’ll want to play on repeat.