Oceanfront Cannon Beach Oregon Surfsand Resort

Less than 80 miles from Portland, Surfsand Resort offers a coastal escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. With miles of shoreline, a charming downtown and breweries within walking distance, the oceanfront Cannon Beach, Oregon Surfsand Resort is worth a visit any day of the week. 

Three-story SurfSand Resort with Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach in the distance, to the right of oceanfront hotel. Sand dune with native grass is in the foreground. Three seagulls fly overhead on a grey, cloudy day.

Built in 1967, the oceanfront Cannon Beach hotel has recently undergone a $12 million renovation. Now owned by Vesta Hospitality, guests will notice the building and room upgrades. However, you can rest easy knowing the property is still as family and pet-friendly as ever. I first learned of Vesta Hospitality when I stayed at Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa in Astoria, a fabulous Oregon hotel on the Columbia River.

 

Cannon Beach Surfsand Resort Spring and Winter visits

Our first visit to Surfsand Resort was in April 2021 with our well-behaved Labrador Retriever. Our second visit was in November 2024 after the change of ownership and multi-million-dollar renovation. Both times, we stayed in an oceanfront suite.  

The 96-room Surfsand Resort is ideal for families, a romantic escape, and those traveling with dogs. While many visitors came from nearby Portland, Oregon, we also met couples visiting from Atlanta, Georgia, and Oxford, Mississippi. For our beach holiday, we had a delightful drive from Eugene, Oregon.

Our spring 2021 stay was in an oceanfront, pet-friendly king one-bedroom suite with a gorgeous view of Haystack Rock. No tufted puffins were spotted on our trip to the north coast of Oregon, but there was a cute wood carving of the cartoon-like character perched in front of the hotel.

Hotel king suite as oceanfront view of Cannon Beach in Oregon. On the right, a sea-green, tweed sofa bed with 2 accent pillows. Above the couch is an abstract painting of the ocean, waves and sand. A floor lamp is to the left of sofa and in front of the glass-walled balcony. A circular table with 2 chairs are in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Two Adirondack chairs are on the outside balcony.

 

Staff greeted us with warm welcomes, but it was our dog who was treated like a queen. Her name was listed on the pet board, and she was given a treat bag upon arrival with local dog biscuits from Bone Appetit Bistro.

On our 2024 visit, we were dog-free. The pet package included freshly made pet treats, a Surfsand bandana, a pet bowl, a ball, a blanket, and a towel. There’s also a warm water dog-wash rack by the beach for washing those sandy paws.

Surfsand Lodging

Four buildings comprise the Surfsand Resort. We stayed in room 1310 within the Beachfront Building. There is also the Lighthouse Building, Haystack Building, and Puffin Building. All buildings with guest rooms include elevator access, as well as staircases.

In our hotel room, there was Oregon wine waiting for us and that fabulous view of Haystack Rock. We stepped out on our private deck to hear the ocean and check out the beach scene below. 

The suites are plenty large, stocked with a mini fridge, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, tea, cups, plates, wine glasses, silverware, and the all-important corkscrew for opening a local Oregon wine.

I appreciate that the Cannon Beach resort made a concerted effort to use local products. On our first visit, Sleepy Monk Coffee was in the hotel room, and so were Public Coast Brewing beers.

In the winter, Surfsand Resort is the perfect location for storm watching, with its electronic fireplace creating a warm and cozy environment. Our 2021 visit was in the spring, an ideal time for lounging in the monogrammed hotel robes while sipping an IPA. If your trip is multi-generational, the hotel offers adjoining rooms and suites, all close to the beach. 

Soaking tub with Shoji screen opened to reveal an ocean view room. The sleeper sofa separates the bathroom and bathtub from the oceanfront balcony.

 

If you enjoy a soaking tub with an ocean view, you are in luck! The bathroom, situated between the bedroom and living room, features a shower and separate soaking tub. The Shoji screen reveals a view of the beach and the Pacific Ocean. There’s also a small, flat-screen TV in the bathroom if you need additional entertainment. The Lather bath products were appreciated, as was the hair dryer. 

Our king bed offered a restful night’s sleep at Surfsand Resort. The living room included a double sofa sleeper. We didn’t utilize the sofa as a sleeper, but it was comfortable as a sofa. Another nice touch is a spyglass in every room. Maybe you’ll be lucky to spot a Roosevelt elk walking by.

 

 

Traveling Soon? These useful links will help you prepare for your trip.
S'more with Cannon Beach Oregon Surfsand views.

 

Activities at Cannon Beach Oregon Surfsand Resort

Speaking of Surfsand Resort activities, adults and children will want to take advantage of the complimentary s’mores offered seasonally each evening at the community bonfires. If this is a romantic escape, reserve a private bonfire for an additional fee. A cabana attendant will build your own bonfire and supply you with all the fixings necessary for creating the perfect s’more. They even provide fluffy blankets to keep you warm on the Oregon coast. There are also complimentary portable cabanas with windbreaks.

The resort offers Friday beer tastings for adults, hot dog roasts, and Tillamook ice cream socials. Both kids and adults should be on the lookout for the SurfSandollar treasure hunt. Ask the front desk person for a map of the Cannon Beach property. 

 

Baked salmon with risotto, carrots and green peas. Behind the dinner plate is a bowl of Dungeness crab, bread and small piece of corn cob hanging over the heaping bowl.

 

Beer, cookies, and Wayfarer Restaurant

After a restful sleep, wake up and go for a walk on the beach, followed by breakfast at Wayfarer restaurant. Cannon Beach fans in the know recommend Wayfarer restaurant for the Crab Benedict accompanied by a mimosa. As this was our first time at Cannon Beach Oregon Surfsand Resort, we heeded their advice and ordered the Benedict, along with the yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola. Both are excellent choices.

The restaurant also offers lunch, dinner, and a full bar. Room service is available from Wayfarer via the in-room Crave tablet.

Be sure to try the Wayfarer Crab Bake and save room for the Haystack Heaven, chocolate buttermilk cake with chocolate mascarpone mousse and chocolate ganache.

It should be noted that the Wayfarer is not pet-friendly, as it’s impossible to reach the deck without walking your dog through the restaurant, which violates the restaurant code. Service dogs are allowed. 

Don’t miss the daily fresh-baked cookies served inside the Surfsand Resort lobby around 3:30 p.m.

S-shaped, indoor swimming pool with separate, in-ground hot tub to the right of the swimming pool. A wall of 3 windows, above the pool, show a partial view of exercise equipment from the 2nd floor fitness room.

Amenities at Cannon Beach Oregon Surfsand Resort

For exercise fanatics, the resort offers an indoor pool and hot tub. The fitness center is situated in the building above the swimming pool. On-site massage therapists offer spa services at the hotel. Complimentary beach cruiser bikes are offered on a first come, first serve via the front desk. If you prefer to explore downtown, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service – dogs are allowed onboard, too. 

Rates for Surfsand Resort start at $350 per night, depending on the season (you can compare rates at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com). There is a $35 per pet per night fee. Check-in time is 4:00 p.m., and check-out time is 1:00 p.m.

Pet-friendly oceanfront

Review and photos by Eugene, Oregon-based travel writer Nancy D. Brown. Her stay was hosted by Surfsand Resort, but her thoughts and opinions are her own. 

 

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