Say farewell to 2023. Whether your planning an intimate celebration or a gathering of friends and family, ring in the new year at Tolovana Inn in Cannon Beach. Enjoy a spacious ocean-view room or suite with a cozy fireplace, a private balcony, and all the amenities at Cannon Beach’s favorite resort! Welcome 2024 in style!
The landmark Tillamook Lighthouse is up for sale.
Built a little over a mile offshore from Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, the lighthouse offers a unique history and faces an uncertain future.
Also known as “Terrible Tilly,” it is Oregon’s only offshore lighthouse. Rising 133 feet about the whipping waters of the Pacific Ocean, Terribly Tilly is easy to spot but difficult to reach.
Situated on less than an acre of basalt rock in the Pacific Ocean, it was built in 1881 to guide ships along the ocean and to the Columbia River. Constructing the lighthouse was grueling. Accessing the rock was dangerous. Unpredictable and stormy weather wreaked havoc on the crew, supplies, and morale. Not surprisingly, at more than $123,000–and over 500 days–its construction costs made it the most expensive lighthouse built in that era.
After manning it for 77 years, the U.S. Lighthouse Service turned it over to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. But by 1957, it was decommissioned. At that time, it was listed on the National Registrary of Historic Places. Eventually, it was put up for sale and Las Vegas investors bought it sight unseen two years later for $5,600 at an auction.
The site changed hands a few more times until the current investors/owners purchased it in 1980. They established the Eternity-at-Sea Columbarium—a place where 30 funeral urns currently rest.
Now its current owners are interested in selling the unique site/Ideally, a new owner would expand the Columbarium business. The current asking price for the site is $6.5 million.
Recently a team of five people was helicoptered out to the rock where they camped out for three days. Their job was to clean up the stone building to get it ready for sale. They also collected relics that could be used to raise funds for more maintenance work. While the site needs paint and more cleanup, the structure stands firm.
The private Tillamook Rock property is part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, It can only be reached by helicopter–and with the owners’ permission. Access also depends on the weather and if sea lions aren’t overcrowding the landing site.
The last lighthouse keeper to leave the island post wrote lyrically about Terrible Tilly in the official logbook He said that the Tillamook Lighthouse was “one of the most notorious and yet “fascinating of the sea-swept sentinels in the world.”
He stated that its “beacon has been a star of hope” and its foghorn “a voice of encouragement” through “howling gale, thick fog and driving rain.”
You can read more about it here.
So when you are ready to plan your next stay at Tolovana Inn, be sure to take a few moments to watch the waves pound the rocks around “Terrible Tilly.”
Call 503-436-2211 to learn more about reserving your stay or our on-site amenities.
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in our armed services. Veterans Day annually falls on November 11.
Haystack Holidays is a collection of delightful special events in Cannon Beach that will warm your heart. Get into the spirit of the season at events for all ages! Check for details.
Between the shopping and special events, you can enjoy the spectacular Oregon Coast during a season like no other. Make Tolovana Inn your home away from home, with spacious suites and cozy fireplaces.
A stay in Cannon Beach, Oregon is a treat in itself, but nearby, you’ll find plenty of unique experiences you should consider adding to your “Cannon Beach to-do” list. It might mean adding a day or two to your stay at Tolovana Inn, but you’ll be glad you did!
Book your stay at Tolovana Inn, then make plans to enjoy one or more of these unique experiences. From cooking and fine dining to outdoor adventure, above all, you’ll create memories!
Whatever you do during your visit to Cannon Beach, head back to the spacious comfort of your Tolovana Inn room or suite where you can relax and recap the highlights of your day. Each studio and suite comes with all the comforts of home, including a fully equipped kitchen, private balcony, fireplace, and living room. You can also splash in the indoor saltwater pool and spa, or enjoy a workout in our fitness center.
Call 503-436-2211 to learn more about booking your stay.
When you see “Far from the Tree,” a new Disney animated short film, you might notice the scenery looks familiar.
The film’s backdrop resembles the Oregon coast. Offshore, you’ll even see an animated image of Cannon Beach’s iconic Haystack Rock.
That’s because the seven-minute film was written and directed by Natalie Nourigat, who grew up in Portland. In creating the film, she drew inspiration from her own recollection of childhood visits to the Oregon coast.
In an interview with NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Nourigat, said “Far From the Tree” was “based on something really personal. She recalled, “growing up in Oregon, going to the beach with my family and how special it was just to all be together.”
The story centers upon a parent and child raccoon who ventures from their forest home to explore a Pacific Northwest shoreline filled with new and engaging sights, smells, and sounds.
The child raccoon joyfully explores the beach, from tidepools and seashells to puffins and seagulls. Yet, while the child raccoon romps, the parent warns of the dangers amid the beauty.
After the shared adventures, including clam digging, the two return to their home in the woods. They reflect on the shared day over a treasured seashell brought home as a souvenir.
In that way, the story mirrors how so many people wind down after a memorable visit to the magical Oregon coast.
The charming film ends with a dedication “to parents everywhere who are doing their very best….thank you.“
You can enjoy the film now in theatres or streaming on Disney+.
You can enjoy the Oregon coast and Haystack Rock in person anytime, especially from an oceanfront room at Tolovana Inn.
Top 3 Cannon Beach Restaurants When life becomes busy and overwhelming, many people flock to the ocean to take a much-needed break from the daily grind. The best part about Oregon Coast trips are the different types of cuisine offered at the Cannon Beach restaurants near Tolovana Inn. Many menu items include locally sourced ingredients as well as drink lists that showcase regional wineries and local brews. Keep reading to find out the top three local favorite Cannon Beach restaurants.
For incredible views of Haystack Rock, the Wayfarer Restaurant offers a beautiful waterfront location overlooking the ocean. Featuring Pacific Northwest fare, the menu provides locally sourced dishes from Dungeness crab, Astoria salmon, and oysters from Nevør Shellfish Farm. Sitting next to the coastal shores to enjoy a meal is one of the best things to do in Cannon Beach.
One of the best Cannon Beach restaurants that features a beautiful patio is the Driftwood Restaurant, located on Main Street. Many people enjoy sitting on the patio with a glass of red wine to watch the nightlife later in the evening while nestled next to the outdoor firepit. Serving steak, seafood, sandwiches, burgers, and more stop in for lunch or dinner. The casual locale also has a fantastic happy hour from 4-6 p.m. daily and a clam chowder bread bowl that is hard to pass up!
While there is outdoor seating at Pelican Brewing, many people opt to sit inside to enjoy the immaculate soaring ceilings, and the natural light let in by the massive windows. Making a list of things to do in Cannon Beach should always include trying a new artisan craft beer. The pub-style brewery creates a variety of beer styles including blondes, IPAs, porters, pilsners, stouts, and the list goes on. Pair the local brew with a gourmet flatbread, tacos, a delicious burger, or a cup of chowder.
Tolovana Inn, oceanfront in Cannon Beach
Whether travelers are in the mood for pizza, burgers, seafood, upscale eats, or want an oceanfront view while dining, there are countless types of Cannon Beach restaurants to enjoy. Tolovana Inn is centrally located to cafes, pubs, breweries, and versatile dining options. Many people find that the food on the Oregon Coast alone is worth the trip. When traveling frequently to Cannon Beach, Oregon, we encourage travelers to join our Frequent Guest Program. Learn more about the program under the accommodations page to see how you could earn points and receive a FREE night. Book your stay online, or please contact the hotel directly 1-800-333-8890 for further assistance.
Make plans to spend a three day weekend at Tolovana Inn in Cannon Beach.
Marine life from Haystack Rock
Travelers staying at Tolovana Inn are encouraged to discover new species at low tide during annual vacations to Cannon Beach Oregon through the act of tidepooling. Oregon has over 362 miles of coastline that are free for the public to explore, including Haystack Rock, a 235-foot rock formation that is home to a fascinating marine garden of sea creatures. Migratory shorebirds and magical marine life make this National Wildlife Refuge one of the top things to do in Cannon Beach as well as a local hot spot for tide pool viewing. Plan to avoid Haystack Rock parking clutter by arriving early to get a spot at one of the many public parking areas.
Ocean-dwelling residents such as vibrant starfish, sea urchins, colorful anemone, scurrying crabs, and other aquatic life can be found in pooled waters left at Haystack Rock. Visitors can not only encounter unique critters in their natural habitat but also indulge in breathtaking views of the coastal shores. Outdoor enthusiasts may inspect the exposed sea life during low tide; however, it is not advised to touch or disturb the area since Haystack Rock is a protected landmark. It is prohibited to climb on the rocks as there are many living creatures such as mussels, barnacles, and sponges that make it hard to distinguish between rock and creature. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program provides safe, guided tours for excellent viewing opportunities.
Families from all over North America travel to Cannon Beach Oregon to explore the many nearby beaches, galleries, shops, and museums that surround Tolovana Inn. Our guests have the opportunity to enjoy an oceanfront stay with beautiful views of the shoreline from a private balcony. 
Space is vital when traveling with a group, so make sure to check out our large suites and rooms on the accommodations page before making a reservation. Please call 1-800-333-8890 to inquire about more information or to book your stay.
Hiking near Cannon Beach at Oswald State Park
A significant advantage of spending time at Tolovana Inn is that there are many great
trails for hiking near Cannon Beach. No matter what season, add a hike or two to the list
of things to do in Oregon.
Here are two great parks near Tolovana Inn to check out.
Upon entering Ecola State Park, travelers find themselves surrounded by forestry on a road that leads to a grassy bluff overlooking the Pacific Coast. Ecola State Park extends along a nine-mile stretch along the Oregon coastline.
It offers a place for wildlife observation, picnicking with the family, tide-pooling and many trails for hiking. Through the traverse, there is an abandoned lighthouse, hidden coves, isolated beaches, and outstanding views of Haystack Rock. Hikers journey through blooming flowers, towering pines, and magical views of the ocean.
Walkway at Oswald State Park
Set aside time to explore the untouched forestry of Oswald West State Park just five miles south of Tolovana Inn. The park features sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches, and the Oregon Coast Trail that offers a ai 13-mile-long meandering trail through the park.
Many hiking trails are located throughout the park so bring a camera. You’ll encounter massive western red cedars, beautiful green ferns, and red huckleberry. During your your peaceful walk, you’ll be lulled by the sounds of the rolling waves of the ocean
Indoor Salt Water
After a day out hiking, come back to relax at Tolovana Inn in the saltwater indoor pool that features a hot tub and sauna. The welcoming staff at Tolovana Inn will help with reservations and can answer any questions travelers may have.
