Oregon Coast: Ecola, Cannon Beach & Haystack Rock Day Trip

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/11

Duration8h–9h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Walk misty forests meet surfers at Cannon Beach and watch puffins at Haystack Rock

You’ll feel Oregon’s wild side up close: misty rainforests at Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach’s quirky charm (and chowder), tide pools by Haystack Rock with puffins overhead, plus hidden caves at Hug Point if tides allow. With snacks, pickup, and a local guide who actually knows their stuff, this day trip leaves you feeling small in the best possible way.

8h–9h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Oregon Coast and Coastal Towns

Drive through Coast Range Mountains
Visit Ecola Point viewpoint
Explore Ecola State Park forest
Optional stroll at Indian Beach
Walk through temperate rainforest
Wander Cannon Beach streets
Lunch in Cannon Beach
Visit Haystack Rock and tide pools
Stop at Hug Point or Oswald West Park
Optional hike at Short Sands beach
View from Neahkahnie mountain
Return to Portland city

The Experience

I didn’t expect the air at Ecola State Park to smell so green — like wet cedar and salt, with this undercurrent of something sweet I couldn’t place. Our guide, Jamie, handed us binoculars right out of the van (which was way comfier than I thought it’d be) and pointed toward a herd of elk just standing there in the drizzle. I’d never seen trees that big up close — Sitka spruce with bark rough as old rope. Jamie told us about Lewis & Clark seeing this same view and honestly, it kind of hit me how old everything felt. The wind made my hood flap against my ear, which was annoying but also sort of perfect for the mood.

We wound down Highway 101, which is one of those roads that makes you want to stare out the window for hours. Cannon Beach was next — I’d heard about it but didn’t realize how much locals love their art galleries and microbreweries (I tried some weird seaweed beer; not sure if I’d do that again). The beach itself goes on forever. There were surfers in full wetsuits just standing around laughing at the cold. Lunch was whatever you wanted — I grabbed clam chowder and sat outside even though it was chilly because everything tasted better with that salty wind in your face.

Haystack Rock is way bigger than photos make it look. We got lucky with low tide so we could poke around tide pools — sea stars are squishier than you think. Jamie showed us tufted puffins through the binoculars (they look like cartoon birds), and some kid nearby kept shouting every time he found a crab. At Hug Point later on, there were caves and this little waterfall pouring right onto the sand — someone said pirates used to hide here but who knows if that’s true. My shoes got soaked but honestly, I didn’t care by then.

On the drive back to Portland everyone was quiet in that good way where you’re tired but your head’s still buzzing from what you saw. I keep thinking about those ancient trees at Ecola State Park — how they’ve been watching storms roll in for hundreds of years while we’re all just passing through for a day.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Portland by air-conditioned vehicle with a naturalist guide leading the way. You’ll get bottled water and light snacks throughout the day (think granola bars or trail mix), plus plenty of stops to explore forests, beaches, tide pools—and time for lunch wherever you like before heading back to town in the evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Infinite Oregon Tours