This Oregon coast destination is one of ‘The 28 Most Beautiful Towns in America’

Oregon just keeps popping up on best-of lists, saluting our state’s food, campgrounds, scenery, and so on. Now, another accolade has come our way, as a popular vacation destination on the north Oregon coast has made the list of “The 28 Most Beautiful Towns in America.”

The list, compiled by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, consists of everything from “coastal cities to southern gems,” as the article says, adding, “these idylls are worth a visit.”

So, which Oregon north coast municipality takes the honors as a “most beautiful” town? Is it Astoria? Seaside? Manzanita? Gearhart?

Not surprisingly, Cannon Beach gets the nod. The town known for its scenic stretch of sandy beach, the imposing Haystack Rock, the annual Sandcastle Contest, super-tasty fish and chips, a top-ranked beach resort, and many more accolades, can now add this one, too.

But then again, any Oregonian who has visited Cannon Beach can testify that the place is gorgeous, and its natural setting is magnificent, as the tourist crowds indicate.

This community is Oregon’s most charming small town, according to HGTV

According to the Condé Nast Traveler magazine article, “While most travelers flock to New York and Los Angeles, the most beautiful small towns in America offer an entirely different —and, dare we say, better? — glimpse at what this country has to offer. You’ll find tiny enclaves filled with friendly locals, walkable downtown areas lined with mom-and-pop cafes, quaint boutique hotels, and incredible views of some of the best landscapes in the U.S.”

Here’s what the list entry for Cannon Beach says: “Drive about 80 miles northwest of Portland and you’ll wind up on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the country: Cannon Beach. The eponymous village on the shore was officially incorporated in 1957, and it’s popular today for its cute chocolate shops, art galleries, microbreweries, and cozy vacation rentals. It’s perhaps best known for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot monolith protruding out of the water—enjoy the views from nearby Ecola State Park or the guest rooms at Stephanie Inn”

In addition to Cannon Beach, other communities on the “most beautiful” list include Magnolia Springs, Alabama; Bar Harbor, Maine; Leavenworth, Washington; Sedona, Arizona; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Marfa, Texas; Mackinac Island, Michigan; Cape May, New Jersey; Ketchikan, Alaska; Carmel-by-the-Sea, California; Snowmass Village, Colorado; Friday Harbor, Washington; Whitefish, Montana; and Deadwood, South Dakota.

— Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

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