Cool Off at Cannon Beach

There’s this idea that nature is something to conquer. To tame or to dominate. This narrative saturates the outdoor industry: faster, stronger, farther, harder. 

Conquer nature? Fears, yes. Bad habits, sure. The last piece of cheesecake, definitely. But nature isn’t some fierce beast that needs to be harnessed. Nature is something to enjoy. To appreciate. To foster an ongoing, meaningful relationship with. 

That’s how we see it at Peace Vans. Outdoorsy isn’t necessarily about climbing the highest summit or logging the most miles. Outdoorsy = you + being outside. It’s that simple. 

For us, being outdoorsy is about celebrating community and sharing experiences. Creating memories and coming back to make more. Disconnecting from the everyday stresses, the digital overload—and appreciating the slower moments with the people you love. 

We can’t think of a better way to enjoy summer than a mini road trip to the Oregon Coast. Skip the crowded pool, pack your gear, and grab the keys. After all, we’re outdoorsy and looking for a beautiful place to unwind, reconnect, and explore. Somewhere we can indulge in fresh seafood, wander the rocky shoreline, sample the local brews, and hike in the moss-covered woods.  

We’ll set our GPS to one of our favorite coastal towns: Cannon Beach, Oregon.

Need a way to get there? Book a camper van rental!

Cannon Beach gets much attention for its famous Haystack Rock and its long, mellow beach. It’s a beautiful place to explore low tide. (We still love to poke at the sea anemones, just like we did as kids. We can’t help it; they’re such fascinating little creatures.) 

Start your day with a cup of joe and a tasty bite from Sea Level Bakery. Their quiche might be the best we’ve ever tried, a house-made flaky crust filled with fresh veggies, cheese, and a savory egg custard. The melt-in-your-mouth consistency is pure perfection. Try their sticky buns with house-made maple bourbon caramel sauce if you favor a sweeter flavor. We’re drooling just thinking about them...    

Time to hit the beach. One of the many things we love about traveling by camper van is the ability to access many different places. You aren’t confined to a single hike, town, or area. Some of the best experiences on the Oregon Coast lie on the outskirts of Cannon Beach. And lucky you, you’ve got the ideal wheels to take you there.   

One of our favorite hikes on the Oregon Coast is a 10-mile drive south of Cannon Beach at Oswald West State Park. It’s a stunning section of rocky Oregon coastline. This easy out-and-back begins near Short Sands Beach, a great place to watch surfers or grab your board and embrace your inner Kelly Slater. The trail continues through the misty forest and traverses the dramatic cliffs to Cape Falcon, where the expansive views of a shimmering Pacific Ocean appear endless. At 4.8 miles roundtrip, it’s worth every step. 

Hop in the van and head back to Cannon Beach for lunch and beers at Public Coast Brewing Co.—aptly named to celebrate the 363-mile Oregon coastline forever preserved for everyone to enjoy (it’s ALL free and public). We recommend ordering a flight to taste their rotating ales and hard seltzer, fermented with blueberries grown on their own Public Coast Farm on HWY 26. If it’s not grown on their farm, most of the ingredients for their dishes are sourced from local farms and ranches within 400 miles of the brewery. And because the beach and fish tacos are made for each other, we highly suggest ordering those.    

After lunch, spend the afternoon sauntering through downtown. Despite being a popular vacation spot within striking distance of Portland, Cannon Beach retains an eclectic, artistic vibe. Strolling the streets is a great way to check out many art galleries. Named one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America, works from local, regional, and national artists fill more than 15 galleries around town.  

Cannon Beach offers a variety of restaurants, but if you’re yearning to return to the sand, swing by Ecola Seafood Restaurant & Market first. Grab some fish and chips to-go (cod, halibut, or salmon), or purchase some fresh Dungeness crab, bay shrimp, or razor clams and head to the beach to cook up a meal right from your camper van kitchen. 

Be sure to get your beach campfire going before sunset because you’ll want to focus on the views. We believe any day you can watch the sunset is a good day. If you catch it on the Oregon Coast, consider yourself blessed. There aren’t many finer places to witness the magic of the sun sinking below a sparkling horizon—its soft, warm hues spilling across the sky, the sound of crashing waves and soaring seagulls, and the smell of the salty breeze... is this paradise? We think so.

Take advantage of Clatsop County’s bountiful clam population the following day and try your hand at clamming. 95% of Oregon’s razor clams are harvested in the county. The best time to dig for clams is at low tide. Be sure to check with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for any seasonal regulations to be aware of (beaches north of Cannon Beach are closed to razor clamming July 15-Sept. 30), and make sure to purchase your shellfish license online or from a local ODFW license shop before you start digging.

Before heading back home, fill up on some homemade clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl at Driftwood Restaurant & Lounge. A Cannon Beach institution, they’ve been serving fresh seafood for over 75 years. Their sunny, spacious patio is a great hangout on the main street.

If you’ve got time, a stop at Ecola State Park on the north end of Cannon Beach is a must. Catch the last stunning views of the dramatic Cannon Beach coastline from the grassy bluff, or head down the winding Crescent Beach Trail through a spruce forest to a serene stretch of beach.

We find the ocean brings a sense of calmness during challenging times. It sweeps up your worries and carries them out to sea. We’re not here to conquer. We’re here to connect. And the casual, relaxed pace of Cannon Beach is exactly what we came here for. 

*NOTE: Check the most recent COVID-19 regulations and closures when planning your trip to Cannon Beach!

Other Favorites

Eat & Imbibe:

Tom’s Fish & Chips

Mi Corazon

Crêpe Neptune

Pelican Brewing Company 

Hike & Explore:

Tolovana Beach

Neahkahnie Mountain Trail