Things To Do in Cannon Beach Oregon - 2018 Diaz Family Vacation

A few weeks ago, Stephen and I went on our families annual summer vacation. We had photographed 10 wedding weekends in a row. We had been looking forward to having some time away from the office. For our family getaways, we choose a a fun location that allows everyone to get much needed rest but also spend quality time together. This year, we decided to spend a night in Portland and then go onto Cannon Beach area for the rest of the week.

Stephen and I love traveling to new places, having new experiences, and enjoying new food and drinks. Throughout our trips, we typically try as many coffee shops as we can, shooting photos along way, and focus on recharging our creativity. 

In Portland, to help recharge that creativity, we rented an AirBNB for a lifestyle film session (more on this soon). We made sure to go to several amazing coffee shops in the area such as Good Coffee and Heart. We walked Mississippi Street, had Voodoo Donuts and got dinner just the two of us before heading on to Cannon Beach the next day. 

First of all, let us just say the Oregon Coast is breathtaking!

Stephen's mom rented a Cannon Beach VRBO within walking distance of the beach. It had big windows and lots of space for us all to relax and have family time. We took short day trips around the area, and even up to Seaside and Astoria. We usually ended our evenings by walking on the beach and enjoying the sunsets.

This Cannon Beach vacation was a great break from our normal routine and a chance for us to rest from our very busy wedding season. We were also on vacation during the 4th of July which is also my birthday! For my birthday, we all walked down the beach to breakfast at Pig N' Pancake where we had some delicious waffles. Then we claimed a spot on the main street to watch the parade go by. It reminded me of the movies I had seen as a kid of small town parades and candy galore. Cannon Beach does it right, and actually anyone can enter their parade. This means there's all types of floats, families and cars...all of which throw candy and homemade taffy from Bruce's Candy Kitchen at everyone. From the parade we headed up to Seaside where Stephen and I spontaneously rented go-carts and stumbled upon the best salmon chowder food truck I've ever had at their farmer's market.

From there we wondered around downtown Seaside and watched the huge display of Fireworks along the promenade. Seaside does Fourth of July fireworks right. It's a massive group of people on the beach, they have an amazing show...but also all these people on the beach bring their own. I have never seen so many fireworks in one sitting going off all around me!

Another favorite memory from our trip was our morning workout routine. Almost every morning we woke up earlier than everyone else. I dropped Stephen off at the Cannon Beach Skate Park and I headed either for a run or to a local Yoga Class. After our own work out, we'd try a new coffee shop together! In Canon Beach you have three great options for coffee, which we'll list below! On our last night as a family we made a bonfire and sat around until it was dark making s'mores on the beach. These are memories we'll never forget!

Earlier this year, I made an effort to shoot more film and start offering lifestyle sessions to families and couples here in Nothern California. I also made the switch to shoot our personal trips entirely in this format. After getting my film scans back yesterday, this trip once again solidifies why I love film so much. The dynamic range and colors you can achieve with film is unlike any other medium.

If you're wanting to plan the perfect get away to Canon Beach, or anywhere on the cool beautiful coast of Oregon I highly recommend it! Below are the coffee shops, restaurants and sights to see while in Cannon Beach.

Best Coffee Shops in Cannon Beach:

1. Sea Level - Our favorite place by far. It was within walking distance of our VRBO. Great for a solid pour over, drip coffee, or espresso.
2. Insomnia Coffee - Great vibe in downtown Cannon Beach, I'd go for the espresso here.
3. Sleepy Monk - They always have a line out the door and sell yummy donuts and pastries they made in house. This is a good go-to if you're into fancy (sugary) drinks while the above two are good for more coffee enthusiasts. Although, we did get the drip coffee black at Sleepy Monk and it was pretty great. Pair that with one of their pastries and that line is worth the wait.

Best Food in Cannon Beach:

1. Cannon Beach Hardware and Public House (okay don't eat here...but go in just to experience a "one of a kind" bar + hardware store combo haha)
2. Ecola Seafoods Restaurant and Market - Great for a quick bite and some delicious seafood
3. Pelican Brewery - Our favorite spot for dinner. Doesn't take reservations so show up early or be willing to wait a bit. Luckily you can order a beer while you wait. The Clam Chowder here was next level!
4. Pig 'N" Pancake - Great family friendly breakfast spot, has a classic diner feel with a wide range of breakfast options.
5. Warren House Pub - This is where the Canon Beach locals go to unwind after work. There's some delicious BBQ (get the ribs!) and pool and darts while you wait.

Day Trips & Experiences in Cannon Beach Area 

1. Tillamook Factory - Go for the free samples and delicious ice cream! Super pretty drive as well! When we went it was a Saturday and PACKED.
2. Ecola State Park - Such a beautiful place to visit. It's $5 to get in for the whole day. The beach has different scenery and views that Cannon Beach doesn't have. We recommend driving right after the entry gate and heading down to Indian Beach!
3. Astoria - I could have spend so much more time there. It reminds me a lot of San Francisco but on a way smaller scale. Such a quaint town on the water with a great downtown and lots of fun shops!
4. De Garde Brewing - If you are into craft beer and especially sours, you have to stop in here while in Tillamook. They're one of the best in the country and have some very innovative techniques.