Heritage Vacation Homes Blog
At Heritage Vacation Homes, we believe the best trips start with a beautiful place to stay and local knowledge to guide the way. Our luxury homes in Cannon Beach and Arch Cape are designed to bring people together along one of the most stunning stretches of the Oregon Coast. Through this blog, we share our favorite beaches, seasonal traditions, and hidden coastal gems. Think of it as your insider guide to exploring the coast beyond the typical travel lists. We hope it helps you discover new places— and create lasting memories along the shore.
Elk on the Beach: A Wild Oregon Coast Morning
One morning, we were enjoying our coffee at Oceanside Escape, our oceanfront vacation home just south of Cannon Beach, when we looked toward the beach and saw an incredible sight: two young bull elk walking along the sand, with Castle Rock rising out of the ocean behind them.
Coffee was quickly forgotten.
The two elk wandered down the beach together before stopping, lowering their heads, and starting to push each other around. These were smaller, younger bulls, and it looked less like a serious battle and more like a sparring match between friends.
And we had a front-row seat from the house.
Seeing Elk Near Cannon Beach
But seeing Roosevelt elk right on the beach is something else entirely.
With Castle Rock in the background, waves rolling onto the shore, and two young bulls sparring in the sand, it was one of those scenes that felt almost too perfectly Oregon to be real.
And it happened before we had even finished our morning coffee.
You Never Know What You’ll See From the Windows
That’s one of our favorite things about staying at Oceanside Escape near Cannon Beach.
When you stay right on the beach, the view is constantly changing. One morning might bring fog drifting around the sea stacks. Another might start with a brilliant sunrise reflecting off the wet sand. You may watch bald eagles soaring over the waves, spot whales offshore during migration season, or—if you’re lucky—look outside and discover elk strolling down the beach.
You don’t have to pack the car or drive to a viewpoint to experience the Oregon Coast.
You’re already there.
At Oceanside Escape, panoramic ocean views and direct beach access make the coastline part of your stay from the moment you wake up. Pour a cup of coffee, settle in by the windows, and see what the morning brings.
A Quieter Place to Stay Near Cannon Beach
Oceanside Escape is located in Arch Cape, just south of Cannon Beach, giving guests easy access to everything there is to love about Cannon Beach while offering a quieter place to come home to at the end of the day.
The beach stretches out in front of the house, with Castle Rock providing one of its most recognizable views. Hug Point is nearby, and at low tide, long walks along the sand invite you to explore this beautiful section of the Oregon Coast.
Spend the day browsing shops and galleries in Cannon Beach, visiting Haystack Rock, or exploring nearby trails—then return to Arch Cape, where the pace feels a little slower.
It’s a place where families can spend time together and experience the Oregon Coast without having to schedule every minute of the day.
Sometimes the best moments are the ones you never planned.
Like two young bull elk deciding that the beach in front of the house is the perfect place for a morning wrestling match.
Stay on the Beach Near Cannon Beach
We love sharing recommendations for things to do in Cannon Beach and Arch Cape, but some of our favorite vacation memories happen without going anywhere at all.
They happen around the table. On the beach. Over morning coffee.
And occasionally, they happen when you glance out the window at exactly the right moment.
At Oceanside Escape, you can stay right on the beach just minutes from Cannon Beach—and you never quite know what might appear outside your window.
Come experience the quieter side of Cannon Beach and keep an eye out for our two young neighbors.
Heritage Vacation Homes is a boutique collection of luxury vacation rentals along the Oregon Coast and on Maui, thoughtfully designed for families and multi-generational gatherings.
With local insight, elevated amenities, and carefully curated homes, we create beautiful spaces where meaningful memories are made.