Oceanfront views of Haystack Rock, direct beach access, and classic Pacific Northwest style in Cannon Beach.
Surfsand Resort stands as an iconic fixture on the Cannon Beach oceanfront, positioned just north of the massive basalt monolith of Haystack Rock. Established in 1967 by Portland real estate developer Bill Hay, the property holds a historic place in Oregon conservation lore. It was here that Hay attempted to restrict public access to the dry sand in front of his hotel, prompting Governor Tom McCall to famously visit the site, draw a line in the sand, and spearhead the landmark 1967 Oregon Beach Bill that preserved the state's entire coastline for public use. In 1979, hoteliers Steve and Janice Kay Martin acquired the resort, establishing a legacy of coastal hospitality that lasted for decades. Today, under the ownership of Vesta Hospitality, which purchased the property for 58 million dollars in 2022, the 95-room resort has entered a modern era following a comprehensive 12 million dollar renovation completed in 2024.
The redesign, executed by Plante's Hotel Renovation, honors the resort's mid-century coastal heritage while introducing contemporary Pacific Northwest luxury. The updated lobby features terrazzo tile floors, oak chandeliers, a cerused wood plank ceiling, and a vibrant mosaic wall. Guests are greeted with local craft brews or sodas at check-in, alongside a refurbished 1933 Clawtastic Taffy Machine dispensing saltwater taffy from Bruce's Candy Kitchen. The guest rooms are spread across four beachfront buildings, each showcasing curated artwork from a different local artist. Room interiors are detailed with contemporary wood flooring, mango wood headboards, playful bathroom tiling, and gas fireplaces. Select ground-floor rooms feature private patios with sliding glass doors that open directly onto the sand, offering immediate access to the shoreline and the sound of the crashing Pacific surf.
Dining at the resort is centered at the Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge, a Cannon Beach culinary staple since 1977 that was also refreshed during the recent renovation. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, focusing on seasonal Oregon ingredients like Astoria troll-caught salmon and fresh local oysters. Its signature dish, the Wayfarer Clambake, features Dungeness crab legs, Manila clams, wild white prawns, and andouille sausage tossed in Old Bay butter, which guests can also order via in-room dining to enjoy on their private balconies. Daily resort rituals bring a classic beach-camp atmosphere to the stay, including afternoon warm cookies, Friday local beer tastings, and the signature SurfSandollar hunt, where guests search the property for a hidden, handmade glass sand dollar crafted by Thompson Studio Glass of Bend, Oregon, which can be redeemed for free desserts at the Wayfarer.
Participate in the daily SurfSandollar hunt: if you find the hidden, handmade glass sand dollar tucked somewhere on the property, bring it to the Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge to claim two free desserts.
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