The shoreline below, the forested coast beyond

Give Haystack Rock a close look from the beach, then see the coastline from Ecola Point if park and weather conditions allow. Hemlock Street brings galleries and cafés into the same weekend, or takes more of Saturday when outdoor conditions are poor.

Earlier low tide

Haystack Rock first; Hemlock Street and Ecola afterwards. Arrive before the low point only if swell and weather permit, and follow Marine Garden rules.

Later low tide

Ecola or galleries first; Haystack Rock later. Check park and trail conditions, allow time to return before the useful low-tide window, and fit dinner around the beach visit.

Cannon Beach itinerary scene

Weekend itinerary

Cannon Beach: tides, Ecola, and town

Use the tide chart to place Haystack Rock, add Ecola Point or Indian Beach when trail and weather conditions cooperate, and keep Hemlock Street galleries and meals within walking distance.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

A Cannon Beach weekend can combine the low-tide shoreline, Hemlock Street, and Ecola State Park without assigning Haystack Rock a fixed clock time.

Best length

2 nights

Friday evening through Sunday morning allows one tide-dependent beach window plus time for Ecola State Park and Hemlock Street.

Stay

Surfsand Resort

An oceanfront resort on the central beach near Haystack Rock. It shortens the walk to the Marine Garden and keeps midtown dining nearby, while downtown galleries and shops sit…

Main activity

Haystack Rock at low tide

The tide chart determines the Marine Garden window; Ecola, galleries, and meals remain movable.

Pace

Tide-dependent weekend

Haystack Rock shifts with the low tide; Ecola and town stops can move to the other part of Saturday.

Two people walking across reflective sand near Haystack Rock at low tide
Place the Haystack Rock walk at the actual low-tide window.
Visitors walking past small galleries on Hemlock Street in the rain
Hemlock Street galleries provide an in-town option during rain or a higher tide.
A visitor looking over the forested coastline from Ecola Point
Check Ecola State Park conditions before adding Ecola Point or Indian Beach.

Friday

Friday: Hemlock Street, beach, and dinner

Check in, walk central Hemlock Street, and reach the beach for the evening conditions before a reserved or casual dinner.

Saturday

Saturday: Haystack Rock at low tide, then Ecola or town

Place Haystack Rock at the actual low-tide window. Use Ecola Point, Indian Beach, or the galleries for the other half of the day, subject to current park and weather conditions.

Other half of day

Afternoon

Use Ecola or Hemlock Street for the other half of Saturday

Check the Ecola State Park status page before driving north. If trails or weather are poor, use the galleries, shops, and cafés along Hemlock Street.

Sunday

Sunday: Lazy Susan Cafe and the central beach

Sit down for breakfast at Lazy Susan Cafe, walk the central beach from a Hemlock Street access, and check TripCheck before leaving the coast.