Easygoing day · Oregon

Portland to Cannon Beach day trip

A little coast time

Sea stacks, a sandy stroll, lunch in town, and an optional Ecola viewpoint. A simple escape with room to linger.

Time: 8–9 hours
Driving: About 4 hours driving
Best time: All year; best April–September
Updated: October 11, 2026 at 8:32 PM Pacific

$4 USD

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A little coast time: Haystack Rock and Cannon Beach seen from Ecola Point — Joe Mabel · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and displayed with crop.

Suggested times, not bookings

Your day at a glance

8:00 amLeave Portland
10:00 amBeach walk and Haystack Rock
11:30 amLunch in Cannon Beach
12:30 pmBrowse town or take another short walk
1:30 pmOptional Ecola Point viewpoint
2:30 pmDrive back to Portland

Highlights

Worth the trip

Haystack Rock & beach time
Lunch and shops on Hemlock Street
Optional Ecola viewpoint

What’s in the guide

Matching HTML and PDF guides, detailed stop guidance, rules, practical pitfalls, a route map, Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps links, weather alternatives and phone instructions. See an example guide →

Plan for the conditions

Expected seasonal weather

Expect a cool, changeable coastal day at any time of year: showers, low cloud or fog can alternate with sun, and exposed beaches and Ecola viewpoints feel colder than town in wind. Summer (roughly July to September) is the driest and calmest stretch, though mornings are often foggy and rarely hot. Spring and fall bring more showers and cooler days. November to March is the wet, stormy season, with heavy rain, strong gusts, rough surf and short daylight. Astoria climate records are regional context, not exact Cannon Beach conditions. Bring a windproof waterproof jacket and shoes for wet sand. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast and warnings the evening before and again before leaving.

Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.