Regardless of the time you’ve decided to spend in Cannon Beach by all means arrange for a look down and around Haystack Rock during low tide. Even though it doesn’t look like it rocks are very very slippery so be careful at all times.
The tide pools are ... alive! You’ll find intertidal creatures clinging to rocks and strange things filling pools left by the receding tide. You might spot sea stars, anemones, hermit crabs, limpets, snails, mussels, and barnacles. Plus other rather exotic things you won’t even know the name of, which is why the nice volunteers from the Haystack Rock Awareness Program come in so handy.
Ask ‘em first about the geological history of Haystack Rock (yeah it’s big, and no, you can’t walk out there). Then fast forward and discover more about today’s intertidal life forms (sometimes up close, under microscopes) from the HRAP trained volunteers and staff on hand during peak times to answer such questions.
Look up! Don’t forget to try and spot some tufted puffins, western gulls, pigeon guillemots, cormorants, harlequin ducks, black oystercatchers, and every so often a visit from a bald eagle or peregrine falcon.