Cannon Beach Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Cannon Beach. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Full-Day Guided Oregon Coast Tour

• Oregon Coast Tour from Portland

• Northern Oregon Coast Day Trip to Cannon Beach Area

• Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock

• Full-Day Oregon Coast Tour

Visiting Cannon Beach—either the town, the beach, or both—is technically free, not including travel and transportation costs. However, there are plenty of great tours you can take that will make the most of your time here and add to your Oregon fun. City tours start around US$85, and tours of Oregon’s coastal highlights start around US$130.

Yes, Cannon Beach is worth visiting. It's one of Oregon's prettiest small towns, and the beach of the same name is arguably the state's most famous. Beyond the beach's photogenic side, you're likely to spot cool wildlife, such as puffins and whales. And in town, you'll find cute shops, galleries, trendy restaurants, and more.

Per one customer who booked the Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock, "This was an amazing day out to the coast from Portland. We had a great tour guide, and all our stops were just perfect. We loved the town at Cannon Beach and took our guide's recommendations for lunch and treats. We were so glad we did!!! Highly recommend this tour."

Most travelers will be happy spending one or two days in Cannon Beach, but a third day is worthwhile if you’d like to hike in the coastal Ecola State Park nearby. As it’s a 90-minute drive from Portland, Cannon Beach is ideal for a relaxing weekend break from the city.

Both Seaside and Cannon Beach are worth visiting, and which you prefer depends on your interests. Seaside is much larger than Cannon Beach (although it’s still relatively small, with a population of around 7,200), so Cannon Beach is more peaceful and laid back. Seaside is especially renowned for its surfing, and Cannon Beach is famous for its dramatic rock formations.

Summer (June–August) is an ideal time to visit Cannon Beach if you want to spend time outdoors as the weather is generally warm–there’s even a sandcastle competition in June. However, there’s no reason to avoid visiting in winter. Cannon Beach is a popular winter storm and whale watching destination, which is best in winter and early spring.

Yes, you can often see whales from Cannon Beach. Around 18,000 gray whales pass by twice yearly on their migration between Alaska and Baja California. Mid-March to mid-April and mid-December to mid-January are the best times to see the whales. Oregon State Parks volunteers help visitors spot the whales at peak times.

Yes, you can swim in the sea at Cannon Beach, but note a few essential safety tips. The currents can be substantial (rip currents are common), and rogue logs can pose a hazard to swimmers. Also, the sea here can be very cold. Wearing a wetsuit is advisable, even in summer.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Cannon Beach. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Oregon:

• Oregon Coast

• Latourell Falls

• Columbia River Gorge

• Multnomah Falls

• Vista House

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Oregon.