Skip to main content
Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site state park in Cannon Beach, OR
Photo: Amanda H
View of Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site in Cannon Beach, OR
Photo: Sha non
View of Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site in Cannon Beach, OR
Photo: cody condos

Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site

4.7(2,829 reviews)FreePark
🕑 2-4 hours👶 Best for all ages, from toddlers to teens. Little ones love searching tide pools for starfish and crabs, while older kids enjoy flying kites on the expansive beach and exploring the dramatic sea stacks at low tide.

About

Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site offers families a perfect blend of rugged Oregon coastline and sheltered amenities. This peaceful beach park features tide pools to explore, wide sandy beaches for castle building, and convenient covered picnic areas,making it ideal for families who want the beach experience with a bit more shelter from coastal winds.

Highlights

  • Excellent tide pooling with starfish, anemones, and crabs
  • Wide, sandy beach perfect for sandcastle building and kite flying
  • Covered picnic shelters for all-weather family meals
  • Stunning views of Haystack Rock to the north
  • Quieter, less crowded alternative to main Cannon Beach

Pro Tips

  1. 1.Visit during low tide to access the best tide pools and explore around Haystack Rock visible to the north,check tide charts before your visit
  2. 2.Park along South Hemlock Street where access is easy and free; the covered picnic shelters provide welcome relief from wind and light rain typical of the Oregon coast
  3. 3.Bring layers and windbreakers even on sunny days,coastal weather changes quickly and the beach can be breezy
  4. 4.Pack buckets and sand toys for tide pooling, but remind kids to look but not touch the delicate sea creatures
  5. 5.The beach is less crowded than main Cannon Beach, making it perfect for families seeking a more relaxed atmosphere

Best Time to Visit

Visit during weekday mornings or off-season (fall/spring) for the quietest experience. Summer weekends draw more crowds, but the beach is spacious enough to accommodate. Plan around low tide times for the best tide pooling opportunities.

What to Know

Parking is free along the street and in small lots near beach access points. There are no food vendors on-site, so pack snacks and drinks. Restroom facilities and covered picnic areas are available.

Seasonal Notes

Open year-round with 24-hour access. Summer offers the warmest weather but most crowds. Winter brings dramatic storm watching opportunities (best viewed from covered areas). Spring and fall provide ideal conditions with fewer visitors and excellent tide pooling.

Nearby Eats

Head to Sleepy Monk Coffee Roasters in nearby Cannon Beach for pastries and hot chocolate, or visit Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge for kid-friendly fish and chips with ocean views.

More Activities Near Cannon Beach

Park

Cannon Beach City Park

5.0Free

Cannon Beach City Park serves as an ideal basecamp for families exploring Oregon's stunning coastline. With convenient picnic facilities and direct beach access, it's the perfect spot to refuel between sandcastle building sessions and tide pool adventures. The park's central location makes it easy to enjoy a relaxed lunch while the kids burn energy on the sand.

Restaurant

Newman's 98 French Restaurant

$$$

Newman's 98 French Restaurant offers families a rare opportunity to enjoy upscale French dining with kids in the heart of Cannon Beach. With stunning ocean views and an accommodating atmosphere during early dining hours, this is the perfect spot for celebrating special occasions or treating the family to an elevated culinary experience without the usual fine-dining stress.

Adventure

Saddle Mountain State Natural Area

Free

Saddle Mountain offers an achievable challenge for adventurous families, with a 5.2-mile round-trip trail that climbs through wildflower meadows to Oregon's third-highest peak. The summit rewards hikers with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Cannon Beach, and the Coast Range,a memory-making experience that active kids will talk about for years.

Activity

Cannon Beach

Free

Cannon Beach offers families an unforgettable Oregon Coast experience centered around the iconic 235-foot Haystack Rock, one of the most photographed landmarks in the Pacific Northwest. Kids can explore magical tide pools teeming with sea stars, anemones, and hermit crabs, build elaborate sandcastles on the wide sandy shores, and watch for puffins nesting on the rock during summer months. The gentle beach slope and relatively calm waters make it ideal for wading and beachcombing.