Walk Through Picturesque Cannon Beach to See Charming Vintage Cottage and Dream Homes While Learning Fascinating Oregon Coast History
For the past 23 years, the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum has hosted tours of Cannon Beach’s historic cottages and beachfront dreamhomes. This annual Cannon Beach Cottage Tour is a celebration of both the quaint charm of our little Oregon coast community and the fascinating history of how Cannon Beach came to be.
The 2026 Cannon Beach Cottage Tour will take place over the second weekend of September, and it will feature a few additional events alongside the titular tour. Read on to learn more about what to expect for this year’s Cannon Beach Cottage Tour.
But First, a Little Cannon Beach History
Ever wonder how Cannon Beach got its name? If you’re thinking that it was named after a cannon on a beach, then you’re correct! But there’s much more to the story than that!
It all started way back in August of 1846, when the Shark, a U.S. Navy schooner, reached the Oregon coast on a mission to survey the harbor at the mouth of the Columbia River. After completing its mission, the Shark struck Clatsop Spit and wrecked on the mouth of the Columbia River whereupon a large section of the vessel split off and eventually washed ashore at what is now Arch Cape.
A U.S. midshipman named T.J. Simmons, was sent to visit the wreckage and salvage what he could. He and several Native Americans managed to free one of the Shark’s cannons, and they stored it away from the shoreline at a creek bed for safekeeping.
However, the cannon was soon lost, and it wasn’t seen again until a mail carrier spotted it half a century later in 1898. Since its rediscovery, the cannon changed hands many times, but it now resides at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum.
Check out the History Center blog to learn more details about the cannon and the Shark.
The 23rd Annual Cannon Beach Cottage Tour
That brings us to the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour, which is a fundraiser festival for the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum. The fundraising from this festival helps the History Center preserve exciting exhibits like Cannon Beach’s cannon, keeping alive this community’s fascinating history.
So, if you’re visiting Cannon Beach between September 11th and the 13th (hopefully in a Beachcomber vacation home), then here are the details for each day of the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour festival:
Friday, September 11th
From 5:30 – 8:00 PM, the History Center will host the Opening Night Benefit Bash to kick off the weekend. Enjoy live music by RJ Marx Jazz Trio, refreshing food provided by Rainy Day Boards & Bakery, exquisite drinks provided by The Wine Shack & Pelican Brewing Company, dessert from Cannon Beach Chocolate Cafe, all while touring the museum’s lovely exhibits. Plus, there will be an exciting silent auction where you can bid on everything from beautiful art pieces to private experiences.
The cost of admission to this benefit celebration is a “pay-what-you-will donation” to the History Center.
Saturday, September 12th
This is the day of the Cannon Beach Cottage & Garden Tour’s 23rd anniversary. From 12:00 – 5:00 PM, take the self-guided walking tour of over a dozen historic cottages and dream homes in Cannon Beach.
Locations for the tour range from areas behind the Coaster Theatre to Presidential Streets.
If you want to take the tour, you are encouraged to purchase tickets online ahead of time. Museum members receive discounted tickets!
Cottage Tour ticket prices are:
- $50 per person through August 31
- $55 per person beginning September 1
- $60 per person on the day of the tour
Sunday, September 13th
Finally, the festival weekend will close on Sunday with the Cottage Keepsakes: Watercolor painting workshop. This is held at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, with two session options at 11:00am and 1:00pm. Guests will paint their own watercolors of a historic cottage under the guidance of artist and science illustrator Nora Sherwood. All supplies and materials are provided.
Tickets are $50 and extremely limited. This workshop is expected to sell out.
And that’s what you can expect for this year’s 23rd Anniversary of the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour. Learn a little history, see some charming historic coastal homes, and have a great time with our welcoming community!
If you haven’t already booked a place to stay, then be sure to browse our catalog of lovely cottages and dream vacation homes in Cannon Beach. We have a fantastic selection of rental homes fit for any group size and budget. Check them out today!
