“It’s just 90 minutes from Portland but light years from ordinary.” With these words, Cannon Beach opens its doors to the wonders of the Pacific Northwest. Not only can you visit many beaches and parks, hike, ride a bike, but you can also go whale watching! I’ve always found it mesmerizing to catch a glimpse of the giant creatures.
But this time, you can do it all with your best friend! Americans have voted (USA Today, 10 Best) and decided that one of the best beaches to bring your dog with you is Cannon Beach, located in Northwest Oregon. Cannon Beach is a small coastal city with lots to offer.
Even though they didn’t say it’s the best, my heart goes to the Pacific Northwest anytime. The whole Oregon coastline is beautiful, and the best part is that the entire coastline is free and public! Shout out to the people of Oregon who won the legal battle and passed the Beach Bill.
Are There Any Rules at the Cannon Beach Coast?
Yes, there is the rule of having your dog on a leash, UNLESS, you have trained your dog to follow voice commands. This is for the safety of everyone, because it’s public and you never know how other people might react to an off-leash dog.
Dogs don’t mind it, especially if you leave them to soak in the waves. Oh, the joy of being a dog (especially a Golden Retriever) sitting on the beach while the waves wash over you.
Local wildlife is another reason why dog owners should keep their dogs on the leash. Dogs are curious beings, and even if they don’t want to sniff the newly hatched Pigeon guillemot that often nests in summer near the water, the birds might get scared.
There are also Black Oystercatchers, Common Murres, and Tufted Puffins. On top of that, sometimes, you can even see a baby seal on the beach. It typically occurs during the off-season, when there aren’t many tourists on the beaches.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the Cannon Beach is truly beautiful. I could share numerous pictures of dogs having fun on the beach, whether they’re playing in the waves or strolling along the shore with their people. I highly recommend checking out the cannonbeach_org Instagram to see it firsthand. I’ve already borrowed all the photos from them!
Read Next: Senior Dog Finds Forever Home
Cover photo by Tim Mossholder
