Experience the 20th Annual Cannon Beach Cottage Tour

Walk Through Picturesque Cannon Beach to See Charming Vintage Cottage and Dream Homes While Learning Fascinating Oregon Coast History

For the past 20 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 2023 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.


Image by Charles Steedman via Naval History and Heritage Command

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 20th 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 8th through the 10th (hopefully in a Beachcomber vacation home), then here are the details for each day of the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour festival:


Friday, September 8th

From 5:30 - 8:00 PM, the History Center will host the Opening Night Benefit Bash to kick off the weekend. Enjoy live bossa nova music by local duo BELEZA!, refreshing beer pours provided by Pelican Brewing, exquisite wine provided by The Wine Shack, and plenty of delicious hors d’oeuvres all while touring the museum's lovely exhibits. Plus, there will be an exciting silent auction where you can bid on items such as an evening at the Governor Oswald West Log Cabin or a beautiful art piece from Icefire Glassworks.

The cost of admission to this benefit celebration is a “pay-what-you-will donation” to the History Center.


Saturday, September 9th

This is the day of the Cannon Beach Cottage & Garden Tour’s 20th 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 between Tolovana to Presidential Streets, and this year guests can take a shuttle to designated stops along the tour route. One of the featured homes on this year’s tour is the former home of Governor Oswald West. Oswald West famously paved the way to making Oregon’s beaches remain public for everyone.

If you want to take the tour, you are encouraged to purchase tickets online ahead of time. Tickets cost $45 online now, but the prices will increase on tour day.


Sunday, September 10th

Finally, the festival weekend will close on Sunday with High Tea and the Sea at 11 AM. Stop by to enjoy a tasty cup of tea along with treats from from Cannon Beach Bakery and Cannon Beach Chocolate Café. As you enjoy your tea and treats, you’ll take a watercolor painting class led by local artist, Nicole Poole.

This event is expected to sell out fast, so be sure to purchase your tickets for it ASAP. Ticket prices are $30 online.



And that’s what you can expect for this year’s 20th 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!