Horseback Riding

Sea Ranch Stables (415 Old U.S. 101, 503/436-2815, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily mid-June–Labor Day, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekends mid-May–mid-June, $65–125), at the north entrance to Cannon Beach off U.S. 101, offers a number of 1–2-hour guided rides, including night rides. Rides to Haystack Rock start at 9 a.m., before the beach gets crowded.

Bicycling

Mike’s Bike Shop (248 N. Spruce St., Cannon Beach, 503/436-1266, $8–12 per hour) rents mountain bikes, road bikes, beach cruisers, and three-wheeled recumbent “fun cycles,” which are fun for zipping up and down the hard-packed sand when the tide is out. Mike, who has run this shop since 1974, is a good guy who can help you figure out how to travel the coast car-free.

Surfing

The area around Cannon Beach has several good surfing beaches. The most popular, and the best bet for beginners, is Short Sands Beach, at the end of the trail to the beach at Oswald West State Park, south of Arch Cape. It’s a bit of a hike down to the beach, but the sheltered cove is a great place to spend the day, even if you’re just bobbing around in the waves.

Another good spot for somewhat more advanced surfers (and surf kayakers) is Indian Beach, at Ecola State Park. Up the road in Seaside, locals tend to control the surf breaks…if you’re good enough to fit in, give it a go.

Rent a board and wetsuit at Cleanline Surf (171 Sunset Blvd., 503/436-9726).

by Judy Jewell and W. C. McRae from Moon Oregon, 8th Edition, © Elizabeth & Mark Morris and Avalon Travel