Enjoy a Perfect Fall Vacation on the Oregon Coast

Discover Why Cannon Beach is the Perfect Place to Take Your Next Fall Vacation

In the fall, Cannon Beach is one of the coziest coastal towns in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re ducking into the downtown shops, enjoying a local show or festival, experiencing the wild and wondrous outdoors, or spending quality time with the family, there’s always something happening that will make your visit memorable.

From unique annual events like the Stormy Weather Arts Festival to whale-watching off the coast, this time of year shines with local luster and charm. As you plan your upcoming travel, check out all the exciting things to do in Cannon Beach this fall, and be sure to add some of these recommendations to your itinerary!

In This Article:

• What is the Weather Like on the Oregon Coast in the Fall?
• What are the Top Things to Do in Cannon Beach in the Fall?
• Fall Festivals and Events in Cannon Beach
• What is Open in Cannon Beach in the Fall?
• Where to Eat in Cannon Beach in the Fall?
• Where to Stay in Cannon Beach This Fall?
• FAQs

What is the Weather Like on the Oregon Coast in the Fall?

The fall weather along the Oregon Coast, specifically in Cannon Beach, is cool, windy, and comes with frequent cloudy days and rain showers. Temperatures in September top out in the mid-60s, and by October, they’re in the low 50s with evening temps dipping to the mid-40s.

As with any coastal town, rain is a part of life, but we don’t let it bother us, and you’ll quickly learn to embrace it too. The rain, coupled with the rugged coastline, moss-covered trees, and crashing waves, is moody and romantic, and unlike anything else in the country.

If you’re visiting in November, you may even get to see the incredible King Tides! These are periods when the water can reach one to two feet above normal peak tide levels. During a King Tide, it’s very dangerous to be on the shore, but watching them roll in from your vacation rental balcony is an unforgettable sight.

What are the Top Things to Do in Cannon Beach in the Fall?

1) Explore a Quieter Downtown Cannon Beach

The most popular season to visit the Oregon coast is the summer, when the weather is mild and warm, and families are on vacation. By the end of August, most of those summer crowds have gone, leaving Cannon Beach refreshingly quiet.

During fall, you’ll have the area’s most popular attractions all to yourself. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the coastal landscape, surrounded by the soothing sounds of tumbling waves and gentle winds. Take an evening stroll through the downtown streets. Stop in at local restaurants with no reservation needed, or easily find a window seat at a local café. When it’s just you and us locals, you’ll quickly discover why fall is such a magical time to visit.

2) Go Tide Pooling

This is a year-round activity, but with the higher tides and frequent storms of fall, you’ll often find some of the best beachcombing conditions of the year. One of the most popular areas to explore is Haystack Rock, but you can easily go tide pooling along any walkable stretch of beach on the Oregon Coast.

The Haystack Rock Awareness Program makes tide pooling at this popular spot all the more interesting as local volunteers are out every day explaining the different species and ensuring the protected environment stays safe for the wildlife and visitors.

In Cannon Beach, you’ll spot bright orange and purple sea stars, green anemones, rocks covered in shellfish, crabs, sand dollars, brightly colored nudibranchs, and much more.

Be sure to review this beach safety guide before you go out in stormy or potentially stormy weather at Cannon Beach.

3) Visit State Parks

There are several state parks near Cannon Beach, each offering wonderful hiking trails, exceptional views, and lots of quiet time with nature. Here’s what we’d do at some of our favorites:

• Ecola State Park – Hike the Clatsop Loop Trail. This 2.9-mile loop gives you a phenomenal view of the Pacific Ocean and the Tillamook Lighthouse. Plus, you may even spot a distant gray whale breaching, so bring the binoculars.
• Hug Point State Park – Go at low tide to see the sandstone caves, waterfalls, and tidal pools. Look out for the old wagon wheel ruts carved into the cave beds. These date back to the late 19^th and 20^th centuries!
• Oswald West State Park – Rainforest views are unbeatable. Take a drive through on your way to neighboring towns, or stop to explore some of the shores or trails.

4) Take a Scenic Drive

Highway 101 is just a short distance from Cannon Beach, making it easy to incorporate some scenic drives into your fall visit. Whether it’s a day trip from Cannon Beach to Astoria that takes you past quaint Seaside, or a quick jaunt down to Manzanita, the roadways around this stretch of the Oregon Coast are beautiful.

You’ll catch distant views of ocean cliffs, rock formations, towering trees, and rainforests. Don’t forget to stop at some of the pull-offs and take time to just enjoy the views.

5) Experience Wildlife

Cannon Beach wildlife is teeming with diverse species that are easy to spot during your fall visit.

The town has a local Roosevelt Elk herd that frequently roams along the beach and even through downtown streets. Haystack Rock is a protected shorebird sanctuary where seasonal tufted puffins roost. Year-round, you’ll spot other species flying around from Bald Eagles to Common Murres, Western Gulls, Pigeon Guillemots, Pelagic Cormorants, and Black Oystercatchers.

And in the cold Pacific waters, seals and sea lions are also frequently spotted from Cannon Beach up to Astoria and beyond.

6) Explore Our Town’s History

Image Sourced from OSU Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center 

The Cannon Beach History Center & Museum is a great place to visit, especially on rainy days in the fall. At the museum, you’ll find fascinating artifacts from Cannon Beach’s history, including the preserved ship cannon from 1898, which inspired our town’s name. The museum also hosts an impressive collection of over 12,000 historic photos in its archives. A perfect view back in time on our quaint coastal town.

Additionally, the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum puts on exciting specialty events and exhibits. Stop by for an intriguing lecture, stretch your legs on a guided or self-guided tour, or even attend a concert or beer tasting. You’ll definitely find much more to enjoy than just the fascinating museum.

Fall Cannon Beach Festivals and Events

Just because the big summer crowds are gone doesn’t mean Cannon Beach shuts down. Instead, you’ll find a whole slew of festivals and events that only happen once the rush has passed. If you visit us in the fall, you’ll see that with our Cannon Beach events.

Cannon Beach in September

The Cannon Beach Cottage Tour is the most anticipated fall event of the year. This popular to-do invites you to visit some of the town’s most exquisite homes and cottages over one long weekend in early September. The weekend includes music events, wine tastings, lectures about vintage homes and gardens, and even an afternoon tea.

• September 11-13, 2026

Cannon Beach in October

If you’re in town over Halloween, be sure to bring a costume so you can take part in the Cannon Beach Treat Trail! Perfect for adults and kids, this annual celebration takes place in the shops of downtown Cannon Beach from 2 PM to 5 PM, allowing you to visit local businesses while enjoying a fun and safe vacation outing.

Cannon Beach in November

For one of the most popular things to do in Cannon Beach this fall, look no further than the Stormy Weather Arts Festival, a beloved event that’s been a community highlight for almost 40 years. The festival takes place on the first weekend in November and showcases renowned local, regional, and national artists. Enjoy live music, thought-provoking gallery shows, art classes, and more when you attend any of the exciting festival events.

• November 6-8, 2026

Thanksgiving weekend also kicks off Haystack Holidays in Cannon Beach! A series of festive events that take place through Christmas. The schedule includes holiday light shows, craft fairs, holiday bazaars, wreath-making classes, special theater performances, and, of course, plenty of shopping events. Stock up on one-of-a-kind presents and support the local makers of Cannon Beach when you visit in late fall.

What is Open in Cannon Beach in the Fall?

In the fall, most things stay open in Cannon Beach, though some businesses may shift to seasonal hours, closing on certain weekdays or having shorter hours. That said, you’ll still be able to enjoy the downtown shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Where to Eat in Cannon Beach in the Fall?

Pictured: Crab dinner from Ecola Seafood Market in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Between exploring the coastal scenery and enjoying all the fun local events, you’ll need some good fall-flavored nourishment! Here in Cannon Beach, we have plenty of welcoming restaurants, cafes, and coffee shops to warm you up with delicious drinks and dishes.

For hot morning beverages on the beach or your patio, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better cup of tea or coffee than at Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters. This local favorite coffee shop roasts its own beans and prepares delicious homemade pastries every day. You can get Sleepy Monk drinks and pastries to-go or enjoy them from the shop’s Adirondack chairs out front.

Elsewhere in the country, fall flavors might mean pumpkin spice, sage-roasted squash, or glazed ham, but things are a little different here in coastal Oregon.

Here, seafood is king year-round, and fall is no exception. As you head to local restaurants, you’ll quickly see exactly what we mean. From crab dinners at the Wayfarer or Ecola Seafood Restaurant and Market to fresh-catch feasts at Driftwood, you’ll find yourself forgetting all about “traditional flavors” and leaning into the coastal way of life.

If you don’t want to go out to eat all the time, you can catch and cook your own gourmet meal from the sea by crabbing for Dungeness Crab.

Fall is the best season for crabbing in coastal Oregon, because the Dungeness Crabs have finished molting. Once you’ve caught your fill, you can cook up your own delicious crab dinner right in your Beachcomber vacation rental’s kitchen.

Check out the Department of Fish & Wildlife website for licensing information before you head out to ensure you know the rules and have proper paperwork in order.

Where to Stay in Cannon Beach This Fall?

Featured Property: Cove Beach Lodge

If you’re looking for a home base that delivers proximity to downtown Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock, as well as amenities that go above and beyond any resort or hotel, we invite you to check out our inventory at Beachcomber Vacation Homes.

With us, you’ll get a full home rather than a small room. Each property is equipped with a full kitchen, so you can truly settle in for a comfortable visit. Spacious layouts, comfortable furniture, oceanfront views, and pet-friendly accommodations mean you can find the exact amenities your family needs.

Plus, when you book directly with us, you save on your stay compared to online travel agencies, and you get hundreds of dollars in free perks to use throughout town. And these aren’t one-and-done perks. You get them every day of your stay!

Explore our cull collection and book your fall Cannon Beach vacation rental directly today.