Hotel at a Glance: The Waves

Oregon's Cannon Beach is a pristine swath of sand punctuated by several scattered boulders, the largest of which is known as Haystack Rock. At low tide, visitors flock to the rock to see the surrounding tide pools brim with starfish, sea anemone, and other marine life. Just a short walk from Haystack Rock is The Waves, a cluster of six Craftsman-style buildings situated directly on Cannon Beach.

• Ocean views in each La Colina studio room, which translates to "little hill" in Spanish. The name comes from an old family orange ranch in southern California.
• In-room amenities: Gas-burning river rock fireplaces, private deck, and kitchenette or wet bar
• Included perks: Bottle of wine or sparkling cider and two vouchers for a free latte
• Take a dip in the oceanfront hot tub
• Unwind by borrowing games and beach toys from the front desk
• Accolades: The hotel won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2013.

Cannon Beach, Oregon: Coastal Beauty Surrounding a Family-Friendly Town

Cannon Beach is a laid-back Oregon beach town described as "mellow" and "trendy" by Fodor's. Its namesake beach is uncrowded and home to a delicate tidal pool ecosystem. At low tide, explore the rocky coastline and its myriad tidal pools brimming with marine life. Just north up the beach, in Ecola State Park, you can pack a picnic and set up camp on Indian Beach, where surfers and kayakers paddle in the waves when the weather permits. After a day of exploring the area's beaches, head inland to Hemlock Street—Cannon Beach's main thoroughfare—to grab a bite at a casual eatery or shop the boutiques.

About 8 miles north in the town of Seaside, a 1.5-mile oceanfront promenade—known locally as the Prom—stretches along its beach, its boardwalk speckled with shops and restaurants near grass-covered dunes. Along the Prom, you’ll find a bronze statue of Lewis and Clark that faces the ocean at the historic Seaside Turnaround, the spot where the explorers are thought to have ended their epic westward trek. The Seaside Aquarium is also located along the promenade. Pop in to visit its aquatic residents, including a giant Pacific octopus, tropical fish, and several crowd-pleasing harbor seals.

For spectacular ocean views, journey a few miles north of Cannon Beach to the rainforest-covered Tillamook Head, a promontory point that towers 1,000 feet above the craggy coastline. To reach its summit, take the moderate, 3.6-mile round-trip hike (open year-round) leading to the summit.

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