Cannon Beach, Oregon: Sea Stacks, Sunsets & When to Visit

Few places on the Oregon Coast capture the wild, windswept magic of the Pacific Northwest quite like Cannon Beach. With its dramatic sea stacks, charming village streets, and ever-changing skies, it's the kind of destination that stays with you long after the sand has left your shoes. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

The Famous Rocks: Oregon's Most Iconic Sea Stacks

Haystack Rock

The undisputed star of Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock rises 235 feet out of the surf and is one of the largest intertidal monoliths in the world. At low tide, the tide pools at its base teem with sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, and purple urchins. It's also a protected seabird sanctuary — keep an eye out for nesting tufted puffins from late spring through summer.

The Needles

Just south of Haystack Rock, The Needles are a cluster of slender, pointed sea stacks that jut dramatically from the water. They're best admired from the beach at golden hour, when the light turns them a warm amber against the darkening sky.

Chapman Point & Silver Point

At the north and south ends of the beach, Chapman Point and Silver Point frame the shoreline with rugged headlands and additional rocky outcroppings. Both offer excellent vantage points for photography and whale watching during migration season.

Best Time to Visit Cannon Beach

Summer (June – September) — Peak Season

Summer brings the warmest, driest weather Oregon's coast has to offer — though "warm" is relative, with highs typically in the mid-60s°F. Expect long daylight hours, bustling galleries and restaurants, and the best conditions for tide pooling and beach walks. Book accommodations well in advance, as this is the most popular time of year.

Spring (April – May) — Sweet Spot

Spring is a hidden gem for Cannon Beach visitors. Crowds are thinner, wildflowers bloom along the headland trails, and the puffins begin returning to Haystack Rock. You'll still want layers and a rain jacket, but the moody skies make for absolutely stunning photography.

Fall (October – November) — Golden & Quiet

Fall brings dramatic storm light, migrating gray whales, and a quieter, more contemplative version of the beach. The town's art galleries and cozy restaurants feel especially inviting when the wind picks up off the Pacific.

Winter (December – March) — Storm Watching Season

Oregon's coast is famous for its winter storms, and Cannon Beach is one of the best places to watch them roll in. Massive waves crash against the sea stacks in a spectacular show of nature's power. Many inns offer storm-watching packages — think fireplace, hot cocoa, and a front-row seat to the Pacific.

A Few Tips Before You Go

• Check the tide charts. Low tide is the best time to explore the tide pools around Haystack Rock. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program has volunteers on the beach to answer questions.
• Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round — just keep them leashed near the rock to protect nesting birds.
• Parking fills fast in summer. Arrive early or use the free shuttle from nearby Tolovana Park.
• Dress in layers. Even in July, the coast can be cool and foggy in the morning before burning off by afternoon.

Whether you're chasing puffins in May, storm waves in January, or the perfect golden-hour photo of Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach delivers every single time. It's the kind of coastal escape that feels like it was made for dreamers — and for those of us who find our truest selves somewhere between the tide pools and the horizon.

Have you visited Cannon Beach? We'd love to hear your favorite memory — drop it in the comments below!