Cannon Beach vs Rockaway Beach

Okay, so picture this. You’re driving down the Oregon Coast (maybe on Highway 101, maybe you’ve got snacks spilling out of a bag because no one can actually keep a car organized on a road trip). You keep seeing signs for Cannon Beach. You’ve also probably heard someone say, “oh Rockaway is quieter, more chill.” And then the indecision creeps in: Cannon Beach vs Rockaway Beach… where do you actually stop?

That was me. Sitting in the passenger seat, Googling pictures that all looked way too good to be real. Cannon Beach with its giant Haystack Rock popping out of the ocean like some mystical movie set.

Rockaway with long stretches of sand and almost no people in sight. I remember mumbling, “ugh, they both look amazing… but also, how different can two beaches be?” Turns out, very.

Let’s dive in. And fair warning: I’m not going to make this neat or brochure-perfect. It’s messy and real, because travel is messy and real.

Cannon Beach vs Rockaway Beach: The Big Picture

So. Cannon Beach = iconic. It’s the one everyone knows. The one that shows up in postcards, in Instagram feeds, in, uh, The Goonies. If Oregon had to pick a single “face of the coast,” it’d probably slap Cannon Beach on the cover.

Rockaway Beach = quieter. It’s like Cannon’s less flashy cousin. Still beautiful. Still worth it. But it’s the kind of place you go if you don’t want crowds elbowing past you while you’re just trying to stare at the ocean.

That’s the nutshell, but obviously the nutshell doesn’t cut it. Because choosing between them isn’t just about photos or quiet vibes—it’s about what you want your day (or weekend, or whatever) to feel like.

Why Cannon Beach Gets All the Hype

Let’s be real—Cannon Beach is a show-off. And I mean that in the best way.

• Haystack Rock: You’ve seen it. Everyone has. It’s massive, dramatic, like someone dropped a chunk of mountain in the middle of the ocean. The first time I saw it, I honestly thought it looked fake. Like CGI. And if you’re there at sunset? Game over. The rock glows, the tide pulls back, and suddenly there are tide pools with starfish clinging to rocks like they’ve been waiting all day for you to come take a peek.

• Cute town vibes: Cannon Beach isn’t just beach. It’s also galleries, coffee shops that smell like they should charge $7 just for the aroma, and boutique stores that sell candles you’ll never light but somehow need. The whole place feels like it knows it’s pretty and leans into it.

• Crowds, though: Yep. That’s the tradeoff. Parking? A small nightmare on busy weekends. Want a quiet stretch of sand? You’ll have to walk a bit. Sometimes you’ll see wedding photoshoots happening while you’re just trying to eat your soggy sandwich. It can feel… busy.

Pro Tip: If you want Cannon Beach without the mob scene, go early morning. Like coffee-in-hand, sweater-on, maybe-still-a-bit-sleepy early. The fog is often still hanging around and Haystack Rock looks eerie and magical.

Rockaway Beach: Chill, Stretched-Out, Underrated

Now, Rockaway Beach. Totally different mood.

• Instead of one giant famous landmark, you’ve got space. Miles of it. You park your car, walk maybe a minute, and suddenly it’s just you, sand, and endless horizon. I went on a random Tuesday once and swear I saw fewer than 10 people in the whole afternoon. It felt almost selfish, like “is this allowed? Do I just… have this whole place to myself?”

• Peace factor: It’s calmer. Families come here. People walking dogs. Folks flying kites. It’s not quiet in a “nothing happens here” way—it’s quiet in a “let’s just exhale” kind of way.

• Town itself: Okay, real talk, Rockaway isn’t fancy. It’s small. The shops are more mom-and-pop, the vibe more laid-back, maybe a little scrappy. Think ice cream stands and fried fish baskets instead of art galleries. And honestly, I love that.

• Seven miles of beach: Yep. Seven. Which means if you walk far enough, you’ll probably find your own patch of sand. Perfect if you hate bumping elbows with strangers while trying to read a book or nap in the sun.

Pro Tip: If you’re a sunset chaser, Rockaway delivers. The beach stretches so wide you get that full fiery horizon without obstruction. Bring a blanket. And maybe a thermos of something warm because, well, Oregon.

Quick Compare: Cannon Beach vs Rockaway Beach

If I had to put it simply… Cannon Beach feels kind of artsy and polished, while Rockaway is laid-back and unpretentious. Cannon has Haystack Rock, that giant famous sea stack everybody takes photos of, plus a town full of galleries, cafés, and boutique shops. It’s bustling, it’s busy, sometimes even too busy—but also really fun if you like that kind of energy.

Rockaway, on the other hand, is more about space. Seven miles of sand. Hardly any crowds compared to Cannon. The town is smaller, more mom-and-pop diners and taffy shops than high-end boutiques, but that’s its charm.

Where Cannon Beach is the place for photographers and first-timers who want to check the “famous Oregon coast” box, Rockaway is the place you go when you want to breathe, walk your dog, or just spread out a blanket and not think about anything for a while.

Which One’s Better for…?

Because honestly, the “which is better” question depends on what you’re actually looking for.

• Romantic getaway? Cannon Beach probably wins. It’s got that cozy, artsy vibe with cute inns and restaurants perfect for lingering dinners. But if your idea of romance is just being together on a quiet beach with no distractions? Rockaway all the way.
• Family trip? Rockaway. Way less stress about crowds and parking. Plus kids can run wild on all that open sand without bumping into people every two seconds.

• Photography? Cannon Beach. Haystack Rock is basically begging to be Instagrammed.

• Dog walk? Rockaway. So much space, and most pups love the freedom to sprint.
• First-timers to Oregon Coast? Honestly… Cannon Beach. I know, I know. But if you’ve never been, Haystack Rock is a rite of passage. After that? Branch out.

Little Anecdote Break

The first time I went to Cannon Beach, I was kind of cranky (long drive, car snacks gone too fast, classic). We pulled into town and it was crowded, and I thought, ugh, this is overrated. But then we actually walked down, and I saw Haystack Rock looming out of the mist, and people were so tiny next to it, and I just… stopped. Like, actually speechless for a second. Totally worth it.

Rockaway was the opposite. No big reveal, no gasp moment. More like a slow settling. We laid on a blanket, listened to the waves, and after a while, I realized I wasn’t checking my phone. I wasn’t even thinking about checking it. That’s rare for me. That’s Rockaway’s magic—it sneaks up on you.

Food & Coffee (because, priorities)

• Cannon Beach: You’ve got bakeries that will absolutely ruin regular bread for you forever. Cute cafés where you’ll pay too much for a latte but won’t care. Seafood spots with views. Basically, you can do a whole food tour without leaving town.

• Rockaway Beach: Think clam chowder in a paper cup, fish and chips, saltwater taffy shops that smell like childhood vacations. Simple, comfort food kind of place.

Both? Totally valid. Depends if you’re craving artisanal or just hungry-now.

When to Go

• Summer: Cannon Beach is buzzing. Rockaway still has space but definitely fills up more than usual. Weather = warm-ish (remember, Oregon coast “warm” is still sweater territory).

• Fall: honestly underrated. Both beaches quieter. Cannon Beach has this moody vibe with fog and fall light. Rockaway feels extra empty in the best way.

• Winter: Storm-watching season! Cannon Beach hotels sometimes even advertise storm specials. Rockaway? You might literally be the only one out there, bundled up, watching waves slam the shore.

• Spring: Flowers, less crowding, a nice in-between.

So… Cannon Beach vs Rockaway Beach? My Take

I’m going to cheat here: if you’ve never been to the Oregon Coast, start with Cannon Beach. It’s the classic, the showstopper, the one you’ll kick yourself for skipping.

But. If you’ve been before, or if crowds give you hives, or if you just want that feeling of having a beach to yourself? Rockaway is where you go. It’s not about “wow factor” so much as “breathe deeply, forget your email for a minute.”

If I had to choose one for the rest of my life? Probably Rockaway. Because novelty fades, but space to breathe never does.

FAQs

1. Is Cannon Beach or Rockaway Beach better for first-timers?

Cannon Beach—it’s the iconic one.

2. Which beach has fewer crowds?

Rockaway Beach by far.

3. Can you swim at either beach?

Technically yes, but Oregon waters are cold. Think wetsuit, not bikini.

4. Which is more dog-friendly?

Both are good, but Rockaway gives more space to run.

5. Is Haystack Rock worth it?

Absolutely. Photos don’t do justice to how massive it feels in person.

6. Where’s parking easier?

Rockaway. Cannon Beach can be frustrating, especially in summer.

7. Are there good restaurants at both?

Yes, but Cannon has more upscale/variety. Rockaway is simpler but tasty.

8. Can you stay overnight in both towns?

Yep. Cannon Beach has boutique hotels and B&Bs; Rockaway has motels and rentals.

9. Which is better for sunsets?

Both! But Rockaway gives you more uninterrupted horizon views.

10. Do locals prefer one over the other?

Depends who you ask. Some love Cannon’s energy, others swear by Rockaway’s calm.