Cannon Beach Conference Center

Excursions

If you are looking for someplace interesting to go, a wide variety of choices await you. From the local points of interest like Haystack Rock and Ecola State park to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and Seaside Aquarium, you won’t have trouble finding somewhere interesting to go.

For history buffs, Cannon Beach and nearby Seaside are steeped in historical importance. The Lewis and Clark expedition spent a miserable winter in Fort Clatsop and even ventured to Cannon Beach to trade with the natives for whale oil.

Every Labor Day weekend, a civil war reenactment takes place at Fort Stevens. From there, Astoria and its Victorian homes and working marina is just a short drive.

Whatever your interest, you’ll find somewhere worth exploring during your stay at CBCC.

Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon

Haystack Rock is protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge as well as a designated National Wilderness Area. This 235 foot tall basalt monolith is located in Cannon Beach and considered to be one of the largest free standing rocks in the world.

The area below the rock is referred to as a Marine Garden. The boundaries of this area are between the extreme high tide line and extreme low tide line within a 300 yard radius from the base of Haystack Rock. That’s the length of three football fields! The tide pools in the Marine Garden are dynamic areas rich with marine life such as sea stars, anemones, crabs, algae, and many others.

Collecting is strictly prohibited and it is crucial to be aware and use extreme caution while walking in these areas. The marine life in and around the Marine Garden is very vulnerable to human disturbance, and research shows that in a small area everything can be killed with just 200 steps an hour. So please be careful and try to walk only on bare rock. Barnacles are animals too!

In addition to the diverse ecosystem of the rocky inter-tidal, Haystack Rock is a vital habitat for an abundance of seabirds. Here there over 2,000 seabirds that nest on Haystack Rock each year. While viewing the rock from shore you might see the Tufted puffin, Pigeon guillemot, Black oystercatcher, Pelagic cormorant and others. These birds are extremely sensitive to human disturbance. Getting too close to them can result in nest abandonment, dead chicks, and failure to reproduce.

Climbing is not allowed anywhere on Haystack Rock, not only for the safety of the birds but for your safety as well! Federal and state law requires boats to remain at least 5oo feet away and any aircraft (including gliders) must stay at a minimum of 2,000 ft. AGL.

As one of the Oregon Coast’s most popular destinations, Haystack Rock provides amazing opportunities to see all kinds of marine wildlife in their natural habitat. So please be mindful when enjoying this spectacular Oregon treasure!

The Haystack Rock Awareness Program (HRAP) is an interpretive program designed to teach the public about the endangered habitat of Haystack Rock, its many inter-tidal species, and the steps to take for preservation. HRAP provides a presence on the beach during the summer months at daytime low tides. Observation stations are set up, with spotting scopes for bird watching, and display tanks and microscopes for examining tidal specimens. Trained volunteers and staff have special permission to collect specimens for observation and are careful to return them exactly where they were found. These dedicated people help educate more than 2,000 interested children and adults each year. Click here for a schedule of HRAP programs.

 

Helicopter Rides

Imagine soaring through the skies over majestic coastal mountains and the sparkling Pacific Ocean… Sounds fun?

A helicopter trip around Cannon Beach and the surrounding area offers a unique, birds-eye view that you will never forget!

A variety of packages are available including a Lewis and Clark tour and a trip to our local sea lions.

For info, call (503) 440-4123 or visit
www.seaside-helicopters.com

Historical Attractions

The Oregon coast is home to several fine museums and historical sites that offer glimpses into our rich and colorful history. From the displays of ships and lighthouses of the Maritime museum to the historical exhibits of Fort Clatsop, visitors are sure to find these destinations both interesting and educational. Note: Some sites charge for admission.

Columbia River Maritime Museum – one of the country’s finest displays about shipwrecks, lighthouses, fishing, navigation and naval history. Open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cal (503) 325-2323 or on the web: www.crmm.org

Fort Clatsop National Memorial – explore the fort where Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1805-1806. The story of this great American expedition is re-told with exhibits and audio-visual programs. In the summer months, buckskin clad rangers provide costumed demonstrations and interpretive programs. Open 8-5 p.m (Labor Day – Mid June) and 8 – 6 p.m. (Mid June – Labor Day). Call (503) 861-2471 or visit: www.nps.gov/focl

Lewis and Clark Salt Cairn – the reconstructed cairn in Seaside marks where members of the Lewis and Clark expedition boiled sea water to obtain salt in the winter of 1806.

Fort Stevens – constructed during the Civil War and active through World War II, visitors can explore the concrete gun batteries and a museum. Call for tour information (503) 861-2000 or visit www.visitftstevens.com

Seaside Museum and Historical Society – relive the history of the city of Seaside, dating back to the late 1800’s. (503) 738-7065

Flavel House – the residence of Captain Flavel, this mansion built in 1885 has beautiful woodwork, excellent room displays and features some excellent examples of Victorian design. Open daily 10 – 5 p.m. (May – September) and 11 – 4 p.m. (November – April). (503) 325-2203

Tillamook Naval Air Station Museum – Enjoy one of the finest private collections of vintage World War II aircrafts in the nation. The museum is housed in the historic blimp hangar, the world’s largest wooden structure. Open daily. (503) 842-842-2413.

Seaside Aquarium

Seaside Aquarium is one of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast. Founded in 1937, the aquarium has been a popular attraction on the Seaside boardwalk for generations.

The aquarium’s family of harbor seals are a spirited bunch! Each seal has a distinct personality and routine that they have developed to attract attention – and food!

The underwater area takes you into a fascinating world of unusual sights, vibrant colors, and rare life forms. Behold the spectacular 20-ray starfish and translucent jelly fish. Come face to face with a ferocious Wolf eel or a deadly Moray eel. Follow the teetering tentacles of the wily octopus in his open floor pool.

The new discovery center offers an opportunity to use microscopes to view the tiniest creatures. Staff members are available to answer questions. Visitors are encouraged to experience star fish and prickly sea urchins “hands-on” in the touch tank.

Open everyday at 9 a.m.

For more information, call the Seaside Aquarium at
(503) 738-6211 or visit: www.seasideaquarium.com

 

Seaside, Oregon

Seaside is spelled F – U – N! Everything about this lively coastal town is geared for good times. From the wide beach and famous Promenade to the noisy arcades and bumper cars, Seaside is the place for family recreation.

For more information, visit www.seasideor.com Local activities include

  • The Seaside Aquarium
  • Rental bikes and surreys
  • Seaside Musuem
  • Bumper cars and go carts
  • Carousel
  • Mini-golf
  • Arcades
  • Billiards
  • Movie theater
  • Volleyball
  • Kite flying
  • Surfing
  • Fishing
  • Paddle boats
  • Factory Outlets
  • Indoor public pool
  • and much more!

 

State Parks

North Oregon Coast State Parks We are blessed to be located near several excellent state parks, including Ecola State Park, one of the most photographed parks in the nation.
For campsite reservation and rate information, call (800) 452-5687. Oregon state park annual passes are sold at the Cannon Beach city hall.

  • Del Ray Beach Wayside – 13 miles north of Cannon Beach. Car access.
  • Fort Stevens State Park – 22 miles north of Cannon Beach. $3 day use fee.
  • Saddle Mountain State Park – 8 miles NE of Necanicum junction of Hwy. 26. Unparalleled panoramic views of region from over 3,000 feet.
  • Ecola State Park – $3 day use fee. Covered picnic area, restrooms. 2 mile trail to Indian beach and rugged Tillamook Head Trail to Seaside.
  • Arcadia Beach State Park – 3 miles south of Cannon Beach. Day use. Restrooms and picnic tables.
  • Hug Point State Park – 5 miles south of Cannon Beach. Day use. Restrooms. Caves and waterfalls.
  • Oswald West State Park – 6 miles south of Cannon Beach of Hwy. 101. Paved trail through forest leads to beach and surfing. Restrooms, primitive camping, picnic tables.

 

Tillamook Cheese Factory

Tillamook County was considered “greener pastures” to the pioneers who discovered the valley’s rich grassland in 1851. With the great quantities of milk supplied by dairy herds, settlers could produce healthy quantities of butter for trade.

It was a natural course of events then for cheese factories to open in Tillamook. T.F. Townsend established the first one in 1894. He hired Peter McIntosh, a Canadian, to share his art of making fine natural cheddar cheese.

By 1909, there were ten operating cheese factories. A cooperative, the Tillamook County Creamer Association, was formed to control cheese quality. The first national prize at the 1914 St. Louis World’s Fair was awarded to this cheese from Tillamook County. The Indian name Tillamook, which means “land of many waters”, is now synonymous with delicious cheddar cheese, still made to this day.

The Tillamook Cheese Factory is a popular tourist attraction for all ages. Visitors can see cheese being made and learn about the cheese-making process by taking a self-guided tour. A gift shop with a wide variety of items, including cheese and other fine food products, is open during business hours. Don’t forget to try the famous Tillamook ice cream before you leave!

For more information, call (503) 815-1300 or visit their website: www.tillamookcheese.com

There is more to Tillamook than just cheese! While you are visiting, be sure to check out some of the other local attractions:

  • Munson Creek Falls – A short hike will offer good views of one of the highest waterfalls in Oregon. Cascading 266 feet, Munson Creek Falls is a scenic (and short!) side trip.

  • Cape Meares Lighthouse – Built in 1890, the light house is no longer in operation but it remains a popular stop – especially for lighthouse enthusiasts.

  • Tillamook County Pioneer Museum – Reflecting the rich and colorful history of Tillamook County. The museum was established in 1935 and houses over 35,000 artifacts.

  • Tillamook Naval Air Station Museum – Enjoy one of the finest private collections of vintage World War II aircrafts in the nation. All warbirds in the museum are operational and fly periodically during the spring and summer months. The museum is housed in the historic blimp hangar, the world’s largest wooden structure.