Art, Architecture & Sensational Shopping
Published: 12/20/2010  Updated: 08/14/2019

Cannon Beach is pure pleasure to explore, whether you're a shopper or just a browser.

In Downtown Cannon Beach, a few short blocks are filled with art galleries, specialty stores and boutiques housed in shingle-sided coastal cottages and brick paved courtyard complexes. Winding garden pathways lead to all kinds of delightful discoveries. On downtown's Hemlock Street, you'll find shopping areas like Sandpiper Square, home to 10 stores and galleries surrounding a courtyard with a bubbling pond and garden benches. A block to the north is Village Centre, another courtyard with several shops, pizza, espresso, outdoor seating and a classical cascading tiered fountain. The Landing is home to more galleries and stores with colorful gardens and another fountain at its center. These and other public spaces make for pleasurable shopping and enjoyable places to just linger. There are several of Cannon Beach's most historic buildings downtown including the long-time home of Bruce's Candy Kitchen where you can often see salt water taffy being made from the sidewalk windows. Across the street, White Bird Gallery is housed in a one time boarding house dating from 1915. To explore all of Cannon Beach's secret discoveries, follow the walkways to Spruce Street where you will find more galleries and shops, a kite store, a bike store and the Asian inspired architecture of the Cannon Beach Spa and Gallery building. On the nearby corner is the Cannon Beach Information Center and Community Hall. The building features a number of artistic architectural details, right down to the decorative gutters. On the opposite corner, the Spruce Street entrance to Cannon Beach Mall leads you to Sesame and Lilies, where you will find two floors of home furnishings, decor and gifts with an emphasis on coastal and cottage styles. Another of Cannon Beach's most famous buildings is in the south end of downtown. Now the home of Coaster Theatre, the building once housed the community's silent movie hall and roller skating rink. Nearby is the whimsical fairy tale cottage that houses Steidel's Art. Just a few blocks south of downtown is the Midtown area of Cannon Beach where you will find surf shops, restaurants, a fabric store, coffee shops, the non-profit gallery operated by the Cannon Beach Arts Association and a glassblowing studio where you can often see the artists at work.
Art, Architecture & Sensational Shopping