It takes place just a short walk up the beach from Tolovana Inn. There, you can admire elaborate sand sculptures created by masters, amateurs, families, and friends.

The 55th Annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest happens on Saturday, June 8th.

Recognized as an Oregon Heritage Festival, the annual Cannon Beach Sandcastle contest remains a favorite North Coast event.

Feeling inspired? Gather a group and be among the first 100 teams to register. Or just come to watch–and learn.

Contest rules are simple.  No design themes are mandated.  Therefore, entries typically feature creative and colorful commentary on current events.

Teams are provided a plot of sand within a designated viewing area. With buckets and shovels, each team gets to work creating.  Sand may not be added or removed. Only natural materials found on the beach such as sticks, shells, rocks or seaweed may be added for ornamentation.

The competition features a Master’s division for those who have competed and won at other recognized sandcastle building events.

Construction takes all afternoon. Judging follows at 5:30 PM.  After that, Mother Nature steps in and all that inspiration will soon be gone with the tide.

But the fun will continue with live music on the beach at 7 PM, followed by a beach bonfire at 8 PM.  Sunday morning features the Singing Sands 5K Fun Run. Check-in starts at 8 AM. The race beings at 9 AM.

In 2014, the Sandcastle Contest was recognized as an Oregon Heritage Tradition. The designation comes from the  Oregon Parks & Recreation Department. An Oregon Heritage Tradition is defined as an event with broad public appeal, with at least 50 years of continuous operation and that contributes to the identity of the state.  

Only 11 Oregon events have earned the designation.

 

 

Well-timed Big Mammals, well-timed!

Just as Oregon families head to the beach for spring break fun, hundreds of gray whales will be visible traveling north along the coastline.

One of Oregon’s two designated Whale Watching weeks falls March 23-March 31. Each day, coastal visitors should be able to spot hundreds of gray whales.  That’s because it’s the start of a great migration, which runs now through June. Twenty thousand whales will pass along the shoreline making their way home to Alaska.   They’re returning from winter in the lagoons of Baja California where mamma whales fattened up and welcomed their newborns.

Among the best places to watch for whales are from beachfront balconies, like those at Tolovana Inn.

Whale watching tips

Whales are spotted when they rise to the surface and spout a plume of mist and vapor that can reach up to 15 feet in the air. Calm days are best for whale watching, as the spout can linger in the air for up to five seconds when there is little wind. Seas without white-capped waves make whale spotting easier. And, early daylight from a low angle that illuminates the lingering spout also helps.

With your binoculars, keep an eye out for a spout. Once you have it spotted, just raise your binoculars to where it was and keep looking.

Whales typically spout three to five times, about 15-30 seconds apart, before making a deep dive of up to six minutes long.

Once spotted, keep their direction of travel in mind. Then, you will have it down in no time.

Getting up to look out over the horizon is critical. Therefore, another good spot is from nearby Ecola State Park, where “Whale Spoken Here”  volunteers can point out the gentle giants and answer your questions. Sure, your kids might learn something during their break from school, but it’s fun stuff and there are no tests!

Tolovana Inn is a spring break favorite for families, big or small. Just a few easy steps to the sand, our roomy oceanfront suites feature cozy fireplaces and private balconies with amazing views. And when its time to unwind, kids can play in the indoor salt water pool while parents relax nearby in the sauna or spa.