Writer’s Resources

cannonbeach.org Resources for Writers

his package of materials is intended to serve as a resource for writers working on stories or making story Tproposals about Cannon Beach. Seven overarching concepts make up the primary focus of most of the feature stories about or including Cannon Beach and we have provided basic story pitches related to each of these areas of focus. This package also contains some basic facts about Cannon Beach to aid in your research. The Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce can provide additional details and resources to facilitate your feature writing. Non peak season familiarization tours and arrangements are also available to qualified writers with assigned projects.

For more information or additional resources, contact the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce at 503.436.2623 or by email at [email protected] Cannon Beach is the Iconic Coast Experience

t’s more than one really famous rock that makes Cannon Beach the ultimate experience. Located between two stunning state parks along miles of uninterrupted sandy beach with Oregon’s Iiconic Haystack Rock at its center, Cannon Beach offers access to some of the Oregon Coast’s most breathtaking viewpoints. It’s no wonder Cannon Beach was named one of The World’s 100 Most Beautiful Places by National Geographic.

Here are some story ideas related to Cannon Beach’s remarkable natural and scenic attractions:

Yes, You Can Find Uncrowded Spots Near Cannon Beach and Here’s Where The beach surrounding Cannon Beach’s iconic Haystack Rock is often bustling with activity, but venture out just a little farther to the north or south and you will find stunning natural beauty and far fewer crowds. Highlights of this story would include Indian Beach and Crescent Beach in ; the beach that stretches between Ecola Creek and Chapman Point; the stretch of sand between Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site and Silver Point; plus Arcadia Beach, Hug Point and Oswald West State Park’s Short Sand Beach.

Three Things That May Surprise You About Haystack Rock It’s a photographer’s dream and a pop culture icon made famous in The Goonies, yet Haystack Rock still has a few tales that many people haven’t heard. This story could include the fact that dynamite was used to change the face of the Rock in 1968 in order to discourage people from climbing; that it is a National Wildlife Refuge, home to Oregon’s most visible colony of Tufted Puffins; and that it is not actually a ‘local’, because its formation was from lava flows originating hundreds of miles to the east.

Four Easy Stops Near Cannon Beach are Among the Oregon Coast’s Best Viewpoints Four viewpoints just minutes from Cannon Beach offer some of the most spectacular panoramic views of the Oregon coastline. This story would mention the main viewpoint in Ecola State Park, views of sea stack rock formations from the Indian Beach parking lot and Highway 101 viewpoints at Silver Point and .

Haystack Rock May Be the Star, but These Other Cannon Beach Sea Stacks Rock Too Haystack Rock is Cannon Beach’s most famous character, but other sea stacks punctuating the nearby coastline are a visual delight for sightseers and photographers alike. This story would describe Oregon’s iconic Haystack Rock and notable examples of lesser known rock formations nearby like The Needles, Lion Rock, Jockey Cap and the rocks of Ecola Point, along with the bird and marine habitat that these sea stacks support and the geologic origins of these formations.

You Can Explore Four State Parks Within 10 Minutes of Cannon Beach Wedged between four state parks offering activities ranging from hiking and surfing to birdwatching and picnicking, Cannon Beach is the ideal jumping-off point for exploring some of the best natural areas on the North Oregon Coast. This story would include highlights and top attractions of Ecola State Park, Hug Point State Recreation Site, Oswald West State Park and Arcadia Beach State Recreation Site. Wild Beauty Meets Refined Hospitality in Cannon Beach

annon Beach may be one of the smaller towns on the Oregon Coast, but it is in a class by itself for upscale hospitality options in the region. Luxurious oceanfront resorts overlook one of the Cworld’s most spectacular natural areas, chef-owned restaurants create celebration quality meals that showcase the bounty of the Northwest and chic shopping abounds in this town known as one of the top art towns in America. Creativity permeates the fabric of the community where you can taste local microbrews with gastropub quality meals, sample locally distilled spirits and browse a dozen galleries and artist studios.

Here are some story ideas related to Cannon Beach’s extraordinary lodging, dining and shopping:

5 Ideas for the Most Luxurious Oregon Coast Getaway Possible Cannon Beach offers a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the world’s great scenic destinations and make your visit a luxurious indulgence too. This story would feature Cannon Beach’s most luxurious lodging options including Stephanie Inn, The Ocean Lodge and an example of an exceptional vacation rental home along with ideas for splurges such as a spa visit, fine dining recommendations including a multi-course culinary extravaganza at EVOO Cannon Beach Cooking School, wine tasting and a gallery tour.

You’ll Find Passion on a Plate at these Cannon Beach Chef-Owned Restaurants Cannon Beach’s culinary scene includes five chef-owned restaurant where the emphasis is on creating extraordinary dining experiences. This story would mention John Newman’s Newmans at 988 who has been featured at the James Beard House in New York City; The Bistro and creations by owner Jack Stevenson whose culinary stops have included Chez Panisse in Berkeley; along with the chef-owned Castaways Restaurant, The Irish Table and Sweet Basil’s Café.

Five Resorts with Amazing Views of Oregon’s Iconic Haystack Rock There may be no better-known landmark in Oregon and certainly on the Oregon Coast and five resorts offer stellar views of the intertidal monolith. This story would mention The Hallmark Resort and Spa, Surfsand Resort, Stephanie Inn, The Ocean Lodge and Tolovana Inn, including the amenities they offer, along with an example of a great Haystack Rock view vacation rental home.

Cannon Beach is So Good You Can Almost Taste It (Actually, You Can Taste It) Cannon Beach is known for its extraordinary number of fine dining restaurants for a town of its size, but this compact Oregon Coast destination also offers places that invite you to taste a wide range of culinary and beverage creations. This story would include descriptions of three Cannon Beach brewpubs, Cannon Beach Distillery, the Chocolate Café, The Oil & Vinegar Bar and The Wine Shack, all of whom offer tastings of local or regionally crafted products.

This is Why Cannon Beach Became the Oregon Coast’s Most Charming Village It’s one of the Oregon Coast’s smallest towns, but Cannon Beach’s unique coastal village character is the result of a forward thinking vision that emphasized a natural village aesthetic without a chain store, drive through or neon sign to be seen. This story would emphasize what makes Cannon Beach unique among Oregon Coast towns. Bypassed by US Highway 101, Cannon Beach features a town center that’s enjoyable to stroll with gardens, courtyards, pathways, public art, cohesive architectural design and hand carved wooden signs gracing its businesses. Cannon Beach is One of the Top Art Towns in America

each town shopping rises to a new level in Cannon Beach where art galleries thrive and fine arts and crafts are on display daily. Named one of The 100 Best Art Towns in America by author John BVillani in his book by that name, Cannon Beach lives up to its art town reputation with an active gallery scene, public art, a successful community theater program and art festivals throughout the year.

Here are some story ideas focused on the arts in Cannon Beach:

You’ll Find the Perfect Bronze in Cannon Beach (and We Don’t Mean a Tan!) Some of the nation’s top sculptors display their works in Cannon Beach art galleries. This story would highlight the notable bronze artists whose work you can find in town and the galleries that showcase them including Bronze Coast Gallery who represents Colorado’s Joshua Tobey; Carol Gold and Rosetta from California; and Oregon’s own Dan Chen and David Crawford; and Northwest By Northwest Gallery who features a broad selection of works by Georgia Gerber, famous for her Rachel the Pig at Seattle’s Pike Place Market and other notable public installations.

Meet the Artists Inspired Enough by Cannon Beach to Call it Home Cannon Beach is home to several successful Oregon artists who have settled in to create art by the sea ranging from fine blown glass to exquisite watercolors and custom jewelry. This story would include information on Cannon Beach’s most successful artists in residence including landscape painter Jeffrey Hull, Icefire Glassworks artists Jim Kingwell and Suzanne Kindland, jewelry artist Sharon Amber and longtime local arts pioneer, Bill Steidel, now in his 90s, who can still be found creating art in his iconic downtown Cannon Beach gallery.

When Artists Converge on Cannon Beach, It’s Arts Festival Time Cannon Beach offers opportunities to experience the arts every day of the year, but three times per year the city’s galleries go all out with music, receptions, demonstrations and guest artists. This story would highlight Cannon Beach’s three annual arts festivals: Spring Unveiling Arts Festival in May, Plein Air & More in June and Stormy Weather Arts Festival in November. This story could also highlight May’s Get Lit at the Beach, a literary arts festival.

From Roller Rink to Silent Movies, Coaster Theatre has an Entertaining History Cannon Beach’s Coaster Theatre is home to the Oregon Coast’s most successful community theatre program offering a year-round schedule of live theater and special concerts. This story would tell the unique history of the theater from its early beginnings in the 1920s as a roller rink that showed weekly silent movies to its conversion to a community theater in the 1970s and continued success today. Unparalleled Wildlife Encounters Abound in Cannon Beach

n any visit to Cannon Beach, you might meet some of its colorful locals: Tufted Puffins, Roosevelt Elk, Bald Eagles or a wide variety of other wildlife and marine life. Haystack Rock and other rocky Ointertidal areas offer tide pools filled with interesting creatures, while beaches, woodlands and the Ecola Creek estuary make Cannon Beach a birdwatcher’s paradise. Nearby Ecola State Park is one of the state’s best whale watching viewpoints and its meadows are frequented by herds of elk.

Here are some story ideas emphasizing the “wild” side of Cannon Beach.

Four Amazing Spots for Bird Watching in Cannon Beach Haystack Rock and other offshore sea stacks in Cannon Beach are part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and home to a wide variety of seabirds, including Tufted Puffins. Combine that with beaches, estuary, meadows and forest and you have the recipe for world-class bird watching. This story would include mentions of the best bird watching spots in town and what to keep your eye out for when visiting locations like Haystack Rock, the Ecola Creek estuary, Chapman Point and the Second Street ponds.

Cannon Beach’s Most Colorful Locals are Seasonal Visitors Cannon Beach may be the Oregon Coast’s most upscale destination, but many of its residents couldn’t care less about the luxurious lodging, fine dining and art galleries. This story would tell readers when and where they can see seasonal visitors that include Oregon’s most easily observed colony of Tufted Puffins, herds of Roosevelt Elk and migrating Gray Whales along with mentions of other wildlife including Common Murres, Brown Pelicans, Common Mergansers and Buffleheads that make Cannon Beach home part of their year.

Some of Cannon Beach’s Smallest Creatures are a Big Attraction The northern portion of Oregon’s rocky shoreline begins in Cannon Beach and that makes it an easy place to explore the fascinating creatures that live in the intertidal area, the unique ecosystem where water meets the shore. This story would cover what you can see in tide pools around Cannon Beach, how to safely visit them and share great locations such as Haystack Rock, one of Oregon’s seven protected Marine Gardens, and other nearby intertidal areas visitors can explore.

Millions of Years Old, Haystack Rock is Still Alive At first glance, Haystack Rock just seems like a dramatic geological formation, but take a closer look and you will discover one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems, a National Wildlife Refuge and a state protected Marine Garden. This story would cover both the large variety of seabirds that make Haystack Rock home, including Tufted Puffins, along with the mysterious creatures that reside in the tidepools at its base.

The Crowds You Don’t Mind Seeing in Cannon Beach During the summer, Cannon Beach can be crowded with beach goers, but there are other crowds that make a visit truly a special experience. This story would cover some of the most amazing scenes of nature that are easily observed in Cannon Beach including Common Murres who nest in large colonies, side by side on top of sea stacks, herds of Roosevelt Elk that frequent grassy areas on the edge of town and tide pools that are crowded with a wide variety of interesting creatures. Cannon Beach is the Northwest’s Most Romantic Destination

t offers the perfect setting for a romantic stroll, a snuggle next to a beach fire or vantage point to watch the sunset into the Pacific. It’s no wonder that Cannon Beach was voted the best romantic Igetaway by readers of The Oregonian and that USA Today named Cannon Beach one of America’s 10 Most Romantic Coastal Destinations. Luxurious view lodgings and restaurants suited to an intimate candlelight dinner complete the picture of Cannon Beach as the ideal place for a romantic getaway or to celebrate a special occasion.

Here are some story ideas related to Cannon Beach as a romantic destination:

5 Tips For the Ultimate Romantic Cannon Beach Getaway The long stretch of beach and stunning Oregon Coast viewpoints are just the beginning of what makes Cannon Beach the Northwest’s favorite romantic getaway. This story would list romantic options to make the ultimate getaway for romance with specific recommendations for luxury view lodging, intimate dining, a couples massage, a beach fire and great places to share a sunset kiss.

Top Spots to Kiss in Cannon Beach Some of the Oregon Coast’s most celebrated viewpoints and stunning natural areas around Cannon Beach are the perfect place to share with that special someone in your life. This story would share inspiring locations to snuggle up, enjoy a sunset and share a kiss including locations like a bench in Ecola State Park with a view of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, a picnic in the dunes overlooking Haystack Rock and a place with a lovely waterfall called Hug Point, though kissing is allowed there too.

7 Great Options for an Intimate Dinner in Cannon Beach After a romantic day exploring the beautiful Oregon Coast and strolling the beach past Haystack Rock, an intimate dinner is the perfect way to celebrate. This story would recommend specific Cannon Beach restaurants with cozy settings and exceptional dining including the Stephanie Inn Dining Room, Irish Table, Harding Trading Company, Newmans at 988, The Wayfarer, Bistro and Castaways.

The Most Romantic Lodging Options in Cannon Beach From the lap of luxury to stunning view lodging and cozy boutique hotels, Cannon Beach offers a wide selection of accommodations perfect for a romantic getaway or celebration of a special occasion. This story would make specific recommendations with descriptions of some of Cannon Beach’s great romantic lodging options including Stephanie Inn, Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach Hotel and a great example of a vacation rental home just steps from the beach.

A Romantic Picnic in Paradise, aka Cannon Beach With miles of scenic beach and dramatic viewpoints in two nearby state parks, Cannon Beach offers the perfect setting for a picnic in paradise. This story would offer suggestions on great picnic locations and places to put together a gourmet spread including Provisions 124, The Wine Shack, Cannon Beach Smokehouse, the Cannon Beach Chocolate Cafe, Sea Level Bakery and Ecola Seafoods. Cannon Beach is Just Minutes From the North Oregon Coast’s Best Hiking Trails

ucked between two of the Oregon Coast’s best state parks for hikers, Cannon Beach makes a perfect base for hiking adventures. Trails lead to secluded beaches, venture through lush rainforests Tand climb through wildflower meadows to bird’s eye views. There are short, easy hikes for casual outings or extended treks including one of the most scenic 13-mile stretches of the 382-mile .

Here are some story ideas related to Cannon Beach’s best hiking options:

5 Amazing Hikes Within 15 Minutes of Cannon Beach Between Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park, hikers will find several options for great hiking just minutes from Cannon Beach. This story would feature the best hikes in Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park including Crescent Beach, Clatsop Loop, Cape Falcon, Short Sand Beach to Devil’s Cauldron and the Neahkahnie Mountain trails.

The Secret Hike Some Cannon Beach Locals Don’t Want You to Know Just a moderate hike from the main parking lot at Ecola State Park, you’ll find quiet and secluded Crescent Beach that is separated from the main stretch of Cannon Beach by Chapman Point except during the lowest of tides. This story would offer the highlights of the trail and this stunning stretch of beach only accessible by hiking the 1.25-mile trail through the forest.

A Luxurious Reward After Your Day of Hiking in Cannon Beach It’s an unlikely combination, but Cannon Beach is known both as the Oregon Coast’s premier upscale destination and as a great base for hikers who want to explore some of the best trails on the North Oregon Coast. This story would offer hiking options paired with nearby luxury or boutique hotels for those who don’t mind roughing it on a muddy trail, but prefer to stay in the lap of luxury.

Hiking and History Converge on this Cannon Beach Trail The trail across Tillamook Head has been used for more than two centuries, first by the native inhabitants of the region and then described by Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition who followed the route in 1806. This story would offer the highlights of the trail including “Clark’s Viewpoint” described in his journal as well as other historical attractions including views of the remarkable Tillamook Rock Lighthouse (1888) built on a lone rock more than a mile offshore.

4 Great Hikes & Craft Beer Stops for Afterwards Cannon Beach is not just a great base for hiking adventures, there are several options, including three brewpubs, for enjoying a cold microbrew after a long day on the trail. This story would highlight specific trails in Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park, then recommend great local pubs to sip on something refreshing and locally brewed after each one. Cannon Beach Offers Exceptional Experiences During The Quiet Seasons

any people think of the beach only as a summer destination, though some of the most authentic, exciting and surprising Oregon Coast experiences are found during the quieter seasons of the Myear in Cannon Beach. Uncrowded beaches, a roaring ocean with big crashing waves, encounters with wildlife and the best beachcombing of the year are the just the beginning. It’s also easier to find a table at a great restaurant, you’ll meet locals who have time to chat in a non-rushed setting and best of all, you’re likely to find a room at the lowest room rates of the year.

Here are some story ideas related to off-peak season travel.

4 Reasons You Should Plan Your Next Trip to Cannon Beach for Spring For its range of magical moments, spring may be the best time of year to visit Cannon Beach as the landscape explodes with vibrant color, wildlife is abundant, fresh tide pools are revealed and weather serves up a cornucopia of dazzling displays. This story would cover hikes and easy to visit natural areas where visitors can enjoy the coast in spring bloom, the first minus tides of the year, see nesting puffins, watch wildlife or spot whales.

The Crowds Can Be Pretty Wild During Cannon Beach’s Quiet Seasons Avoid the busy summer months and you can experience a different kind of crowd in Cannon Beach as some truly magnificent displays of nature can be observed. This story would highlight the abundant wildlife that can be easily seen during the quiet months including herds of Roosevelt Elk, Tufted Puffins that return to next on Haystack Rock each spring, Common Murres that crowd shoulder to shoulder by the hundreds on sea stacks, whales who migrate along the shoreline and flocks of wintering birds that can be seen on Ecola Creek.

Best Places to Watch a Storm or See Big Waves in Cannon Beach Calm, sunny days are fine, but many visitors come to Cannon Beach during the quieter seasons when the ocean roars, huge waves explode along the rocky shoreline and the weather can rage. This story would offer tips on how to experience a famous Oregon Coast storm or watch the big waves roll in at great spots ranging from Cannon Beach’s abundant oceanfront lodging options to dramatic viewpoints and scenic beaches.

5 Places You Won’t Want to Miss on a Fall Visit to Cannon Beach When the summer crowds are gone, visitors to Cannon Beach can take advantage of some special experiences during the fall. This story would offer five locations that offer great fall experiences including Ecola State Park for wave watching and wildlife; Hug Point, where a scenic waterfall gushes full force; the Cannon Beach Nature Trail which offers great birdwatching and passes some of the most frequently used areas by herds of Roosevelt Elk; Haystack Rock for crashing waves and secluded beaches that offer some of the best beachcombing of the year.