Cannon Beach is a small beach town that can be found along the Oregon coast. It’s about a two hour drive West from Portland and it is also happens to be a very special place for me. It’s a family tradition of mine to go to Cannon Beach for a week-long vacation every summer. At this point, I don’t make a too shabby Rick Steve’s rip-off.

Grab a group of friends or loved ones who are ready for their worries about school and life to be whisked away by the magic of the Oregon coast. Because this is a quiet and small beach town, I reckon you come here to find some relaxation rather than hard-core party fun. I also highly recommend people who are going through a hard time or those with mental illness come and visit. Not only has it been scientifically proven that living near the sea can improve your mental health, but from personal experience, the Oregon coast itself is amazing at aiding you with thinking things through and helping you clear your head or find peace.

While your down there, you might as well…

Go tricycling on the beach. Family FUNcycles has the best deals and they are located right next to the beach.

Build an epic sand kingdom and then come back when the tide is coming in to see how it stands against the incoming waves.

Get the best salt-water taffy at Bruce's Candy Kitchen.

Have an amazing brunch at the Lazy Susan.

Go visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It’s about an hour drive South, but you can buy freshly made cheese (some of which are factory-exclusives) and ice cream and see how they are made. Also, free cheese samples.

For crafters, go collect seashells during low-tide and then bring them home to make something cool out of them.

Have a photo shoot on the beach either at dawn, set sun or really any other time of the day, everyday because it’s always gorgeous.

Go to the Manzanita Farmers Market on Friday evenings. Manzanita is about a 20 minute drive from Cannon beach and it’s a nice town to visit, especially on Friday evenings when the farmers market is open. If you end up driving past the town in the morning, then make sure to hit up Manzanita News and Espresso.

Walk on the beach alone and clear your head or take someone you like and have an unplanned heart-to-heart.

Skim board for three hours and not notice that your knees are bleeding until you walk back home. Or maybe that just happens to me. But in all seriousness, skim boarding is really fun. Tricky to get the hang of, but fun. (Tip: The best time to go skim boarding is when the tide is going out.)

For artists, go bring your supplies and get inspired!

Be a photographer and take a gorgeous photo of Haystack Rock. Or take advantage of the scenic beauty all around you and take all the photos.

Visit Hug Point and make sure to go during low-tide or when the tide is still far enough out where you can visit the more interesting part of the beach.

Go hiking. On your way out of Cannon Beach, heading south, there are places dotted here and there where you can park and do a short hike down to a more secluded beach. Or go up to the Ecola State Park Hiking trail.

Get coffee at the Sleeping Monk, which has high quality, organic coffee. Everything there is delicious.

Have you been to Cannon Beach before? I'm curious, what did you do? What was your favorite part? Comment below!