Oregon Coast Day Trip: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock
Description
Spend a day along Oregon’s gorgeous coastline, filled with dramatic headlands, beaches and historical lighthouses on this tour from Portland. Walk on the beach in the quaint town of Manzanita, explore Short Sands Beach, enjoy spectacular views from Neahkahnie Point, and explore Cannon Beach, where you’ll explore tide pools at Haystack Rock and enjoy free time to peruse shops and art galleries.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Stretching along four miles of coastline in dense, temperate rainforest, Oswald West State Park has a beautifully secluded sandy beach and miles of trails leading to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This vast, scenic treasure is without a doubt one of the most spectacular parks in Oregon.
No visit to Cannon Beach would be complete without visiting Ecola State Park, perched dramatically on the edge of Tillamook Head. Ecola Park Road winds through old growth rainforest before emerging at one of the Oregon Coast’s most famous views, overlooking numerous rock formations and the capes and headlands miles to the south.
This picturesque small-town village by the sea is easily walkable and you will be able to explore meandering pathways, enjoy public art and courtyards spilling over with flowers. Known as one of the Northwest’s top art towns, Cannon Beach is filled with art galleries, specialty shops, cafes and fine dining restaurants. While in Cannon Beach you will have time for lunch at one of their amazing restaurants. Cannon Beach is also famous for its amazing beaches.
Haystack Rock is one of Oregon’s most recognizable landmarks, home to colorful tidepools and diverse bird life. It rises 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline. At low tide, you can walk right up to it and find colorful sea stars and other fascinating tidepool creatures in its intertidal area. Puffins can be observed on Haystack Rock from early spring to mid-summer, offering the most accessible viewing of Tufted Puffins in the Northwest.
Manzanita is a beautiful oceanside city with seven miles of sandy beach and the third most photographed scenery in Oregon. While here you can enjoy a spectacular walk by the ocean or explore their lovely downtown.
Perched atop a basalt sea stack, over a mile from Oregon's North Coast, the infamous Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, affectionately known as “Terrible Tilly,” is a fascinating piece of history. While it has long been closed to the public, it remains a resilient symbol of its rich heritage, despite being weathered and worn. During our visit to Ecola State Park, you'll enjoy stunning views of this iconic landmark.
Spanning four miles of coastline within a lush, temperate rainforest, Oswald West State Park features a stunningly secluded sandy beach and extensive trails that offer breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean. This expansive and picturesque gem is undoubtedly one of Oregon's most extraordinary parks. Situated on the northern Oregon Coast, Oswald West State Park attracts surfers, hikers, and beach enthusiasts alike, providing a wealth of recreational opportunities.
Picture yourself journeying by stagecoach along the shoreline. Before the construction of the highway, the beach served as the sole route along this coastal stretch. To the north of the parking area at low tide, you can stroll along the original stagecoach road, where the wheel ruts are still etched into the rock. Pioneers navigating around this headland had to carefully maneuver along the point, even during low tide. As a result, both the point and the park have fittingly been named Hug Point.
This peak is an inspiring place, where the Tillamook tribe believed their most powerful god resided. In fact, the name Neahkahnie comes from their words Ne ("place of") and Ekahnie ("supreme deity").
Those who want to learn more about logging history in the northwest, or who simply are curious about vintage logging machinery, will find plenty of material at Camp 18. Outdoor displays include multiple steam donkeys such as a Dolbeer single spool, a very early first-generation model, to a high-tech late-model Willamette compound geared yarder that was the height of technology for its day. Other displays on site include a large bandsaw from a sawmill, a self-propelled Ohio steam crane, Caterpillar-style tracked vehicles that worked in the woods, a railroad skeleton log car and other heavy equipment plus a wide variety of large and small hardware. We will make a quick stop here on our way to the spectacular Oregon Coast so that you can explore the historic equipment, use the restroom, and buy some coffee if you want.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
IMPORTANT PICK-UP INFORMATION: Tour pick-ups start up to 45 minutes prior to the tour start time. The pick-up time you will be given depends on the location of the hotel you are staying at. When you book the tour, America's Hub World Tours will email you a ticket with your 15-minute pick-up window. At the beginning of the 15-minute pick-up window please stand at the hotel lobby doors and look for a Sprinter van. Your Tour Guide will arrive within the 15-minute pick-up window listed. Acknowledgement of Safety Briefing When boarding the vehicle and exiting the vehicle to use a three-point stand. Traffic and transportation safety: Pay special attention at intersections, use pedestrian crosswalks whenever possible and always wear a seat belt on tour vehicle. Health and Hydration: Tours can be physically demanding. Stay hydrated and carry any necessary medications; plan for breaks when needed. What to Do if Lost: If you get separated from the group, do not panic. Stop walking and wait right where you are. Call our tour company phone at 503-896-2464. For emergency call 911. Walking on Uneven Terrain: • Technique • Scan the path: Look ten feet ahead. Do not just look at your feet. • Short steps: Take small, slow steps. • Flat feet: Place your whole foot down. Do not just walk on your toes or heels. • Go slow uphill & downhill Safety & Hazards • Watch for water: Wet rocks, moss, and mud are very slick. Walk around them if you can. • Never run: Speed causes trips and twisted ankles. Snow & Ice: • Don’t cross in front of snow removal equipment (snow blowers, plows, etc.). It’s safer to cross behind. • Observe extreme caution when entering and exiting vehicles. Warm soles on compact snow/ice increase the risk of slip/falls. Use the vehicle for support. • Watch out for black ice, wet floors/stairways and overhead/ falling hazards (icicles or snow/ice on sloping roofs and in trees). • Never attempt to drive or walk on carpet, tile, stone, or ceramic surfaces while wearing Yaktrax. Take them off before driving or entering a building! Plants and Animals: Do not touch any plants or animals. Touching them is dangerous for you and for them. Animals carry germs and diseases. Plants can cause rashes or allergic reactions. • Do not approach or follow wildlife for a “better look.” • Observe wildlife from a distance so they are not scared or forced to flee. • You are too close if your presence or actions cause wildlife to alter their normal habits. Water: Never drink raw mountain water. Even clear streams hide dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites like Giardia. Animals use the water upstream, and you cannot see germs. Drinking raw water can cause severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. Always keep your valuables with you. We are not responsible for any loss of personal items
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Child aged 3-6 will need a car seat for this tour. Please bring a car seat as the local operator will not be able to accommodate child without car seat
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements (minimum of four people). In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
- This tour does operate in rainy weather.
- America’s Hub World Tour’s works in collaboration with Oregon Tour Experts. All pickups are made via Oregon Tour Expert’s transportation and tour guiding company.
- All guests will be required to sign an acknowledgement of the Safety Briefing that will be given at the start of the tour.
Reviews(469)
Phoebe was a great driver and tour guide. We saw the Haystack Rock and walked through a Sitka Spruce Forest and the town of Cannon beach as well as stops at several viewpoints. Cannon Beach is a nice beach town with plenty of choices for lunch.
This tour was incredible. Phoebe, the tour guide, was really knowledgeable, timed our stop at Haystack Rock at just the perfect time. and was super fun. This is a wonderful tour and will not disappoint.
Thank you for sharing your positive experience; we’re delighted and hope you'll join us for another tour!
This was a totally amazing experience. This memory will last me a lifetime. There is no way to express the power of the waves combined with the breathtaking views of the mountains. The forest was lush and pure, nature at it's finest. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Her attitude was the very best. She drove us there with skill and in total comfort. I hope that I will get a chance to come back and bring my family.
We're thrilled you had an unforgettable tour and appreciated our service; please join us for another tour soon!
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent ,and the guide "WOW".
We're ecstatic you had a great tour and recognized our hard work; we hope you'll join us for another tour!
A great way to see the Oregon coast in one day! Even with some clouds and light rain, it is worth the trip out there to see the beaches. Not much in the actual town of Cannon Beach but 2 hours was more than enough time to eat lunch and explore some of the shops. Definitely go the bakery and try some of the treats.
We're pleased you had a wonderful experience and valued our efforts; consider joining us on another tour!
John was a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable. I give him 5 stars. Full of energy and a plethora of information. He drives crazy but I can see that he knows what he's doing so I felt safe. The only issue i had was the cleanliness of the transportation. I think a deep clean on the vehicle wpuld have made the trip perfect. Not John's fault but maybe something to consider to get more positive reviews.
Thank you for your kind words; we're thrilled you had a memorable time and invite you to join us for another tour!
I had the best time going to Cannon beach on the coast day trip. Rebecca was my tour guide and she was the best, had a lot of information and she was a blast. The views and the beach was amazing and I will def recommend this tour to my family and friends.
We're so glad you had a great experience and appreciated our commitment; we hope to see you on another tour!
I had the best time going to the coast of Oregon. We started at Escola And the views were breathtaking, next we headed to Cannon beach and saw Haystack rock. The little town near Cannon beach was so cute we got to have lunch and do some shopping. And last but not least we went to Neahkahnie Mt Wayfinding point, this was the tour that left me in awe. Rebecca was a great tour guide and I will definitely recommend this tour to family and friends.
Thank you for your kind words; we're thrilled you had a memorable time and invite you to join another tour!
My daughter and I are from Florida. We enjoyed this trip so much. Did not have to worry about driving or knowing where to go. There was a wonderful variety of people from across the country. Phoebe new so much about the state, plants, had fun stories. Can tell she loves her job.
Your wonderful review makes our efforts worthwhile; thank you, and consider joining us for another adventure!
I was hesitant in taking the tour on a rainy day, but wow, I am so glad I did. Rob, our guide, was fantastic in his engagement with the travelers, his knowledge and desire for us to have a positive experience. He adjusted the trip based on weather, and it allowed for the most effective use of time. What a gem you have in Rob! His passion is evident for this work! Can't recommend him enough!! Thank you!!!!
Your wonderful review makes our efforts worthwhile; thank you, and consider joining us for another adventure!
