Cannon Beach, Oregon - A Special Place for Our Family
Cannon Beach, Oregon, has become a special place for our family. This was our second time visiting, but this time we decided to stay for an entire week and I think that made us appreciate this beautiful part of the Oregon Coast even more.
Our Week by the Ocean
We stayed at Tolovana Inn, right in front of the beach, and the location couldn't have been better. Waking up so close to the Pacific Ocean made our stay feel even more special. We created a simple routine during the week. Every day we exercised, took Luke to the swimming pool, and enjoyed the hotel's facilities. For the adults, the sauna and hot tub were also a wonderful way to relax after such an intense period. The area was very convenient for a longer stay. Just around the corner, there was a fresh market with a great variety of food and a delicious homemade pizza. With only a five-minute drive, we could also be in downtown Cannon Beach. Around the hotel there were so many bunnies. It was lovey to see those cute bunnies all the time around us.
The Charm of Cannon Beach
Downtown Cannon Beach has the charm of a small coastal village. You can walk around and discover restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir stores, galleries, and, of course, ice cream shops. One of our favorite discoveries was Suzy's Scoops. Their ice cream was definitely a favorite for us! We also loved Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge, which became one of our favorite restaurants in Cannon Beach. Food was another enjoyable part of this trip. Halibut is very popular along the Oregon Coast, and we found it on the menu at many of the restaurants we visited. It was absolutely delicious. We also discovered a little crêpe kiosk in the village that we really enjoyed. Near our hotel, there was also a restaurant overlooking the ocean. The view was amazing, the menu had plenty of choices, and the prices were reasonable. Sitting there with the Pacific Ocean in front of us was another simple but memorable part of our stay.
Haystack Rock & the Cannon Beach
Of course, it is impossible to talk about Cannon Beach without mentioning Haystack Rock, the enormous rock formation that has become the symbol of the area. But what makes this beach particularly interesting is that there is so much more to discover around it. During low tide, the tide pools reveal small marine animals such as sea stars, anemones, mussels, and crabs. It becomes a wonderful natural environment for children to observe and explore. The beach itself is long and beautiful, making it perfect for walking, exercising, playing with Luke, or simply stopping to enjoy the ocean. The weather on the Oregon Coast can change quickly, but I think that is part of its beauty. Sometimes it is sunny, sometimes cloudy or misty, and each condition gives the coastline a completely different atmosphere.
Exploring the Nature Around Cannon Beach
Another reason we enjoy Cannon Beach is everything you can explore nearby. The surrounding area is filled with beautiful beaches, forests, viewpoints, and hiking trails. Just north of town is Ecola State Park, where the dense coastal forest opens to incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. There are hiking trails, viewpoints, and access to Indian Beach, a more secluded beach surrounded by forest and rocky headlands.
Driving south from Cannon Beach also brings you to beautiful areas such as Arcadia Beach, Hug Point, and Oswald West State Park. The landscape along this part of the Oregon Coast is absolutely beautiful. Forests, cliffs, beaches, rock formations, and the ocean all seem to come together in one place.It is an area that invites you to explore slowly. Sometimes the best moments come simply from driving along the coast, stopping at a viewpoint, taking a short hike, or discovering another beach.
Ecola State Park & Indian Beach
One of the beautiful places to explore near Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park. The drive itself is part of the experience, taking you through a dense coastal forest before opening to incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. Inside the park, Indian Beach was especially beautiful. It is a smaller, more secluded beach surrounded by forest, rocky cliffs, and impressive rock formations in the ocean. The scenery feels wild and peaceful at the same time, and it has a completely different atmosphere from the main beach in Cannon Beach.
Ecola is also a wonderful area for hiking and simply being surrounded by nature. I love how, in this part of Oregon, the forest and the ocean are so connected you can be walking among huge green trees and, just a few moments later, find yourself looking out over the Pacific. For us, exploring places like Ecola State Park made our week in Cannon Beach even more special. It gave us another opportunity to slow down, spend time together, and appreciate the incredible natural beauty of the Oregon Coast.
A Much-Needed Time Together
More than the beautiful scenery, what made this trip so special was having this time together.
The three of us had such a demanding year, with studies, work, routines, responsibilities, and everything that comes with everyday life. Having an entire week to slow down and focus on each other was exactly what we needed. We exercised, swam, explored, ate good food, walked along the beach, rested, and simply enjoyed being together. Sometimes we think that memorable trips need to be filled with activities, but this week reminded me that some of the best family memories come from the simplest moments.
Cannon Beach gave us the space to breathe after a very intense season of our lives. I was able to return to my training, the boys had time to enjoy themselves, and all three of us had the opportunity to reconnect and appreciate our time together. Maybe that is why Cannon Beach is becoming such a special place for our family. It isn't only the incredible views, Haystack Rock, the charming village, or the beautiful Oregon Coast.
It's also about the memories we are creating here.
Thank you, Cannon Beach, for another beautiful chapter in our family's journey.
Comentários