Re Cannon Beach: was just there a couple of weeks ago. The iconic haystack rock along with the wonderful wide beach is probably enough reason to make the trip. The town itself was absolutely MOBBED and parking was at a premium; suspect that isn't so much the case now.

Too cold to swim but what a view!

This is why I avoid Cannon Beach. I like Seaside with the Prommenade. You can also see the spot where members of the Corps of Discovery boiled seawater to make salt to preserve meat for the long trip home to St. Louis.

Well, Tom, I have this funny feeling that there is probably a "season" in Cannon Beach and that it is now mostly over but you seem to be the Oregon expert around here so I'll defer to your judgement.

Oh, and we went to Seaside too and guess what? Parking was an issue there, too.

<I just don't get why people want to go look at books in a store. >
I don't know why, but this made me laugh out loud!
Books? In a store? BIZARRE, lol.

Dukey--Yes, CB definitely has a season and you were there during the height of it. Usually parking is not an issue at all. We go numerous times throughout the year, so also know which lots are a bit more obscure, etc

In Cannon Beach I parked at the parking lot of the Presbyterian church and walked east a couple hundred yards to go find a geocache in the woods. On my walk I saw a bunch of elk tracks in the muddy path. I walked over to the viewpoint and took a picture of Haystack Rock and then I left town.

I saw the Spruce Goose about 30 years ago in Long Beach, CA. Pretty amazing. I was impressed!

These have all been mentioned, but I'll second the recommendations for Powell's Bookstore, the hike to the top of Multnomah Falls, the Rose Garden, and the Saturday Market!