Wind-whipped headlands. Horizontal rain. A rocking seaside town with cute cafes, quaint shops, primo chowder and plentiful lodgings. No wonder Cannon Beach won KING-TV’s Best Northwest Storm Watching 2012 award. (Seattle viewers also chose it as the best place for peace and quiet.). Explore the sands near towering Haystack Rock and then follow the surfers to Ecola State Park. Climb through stands of Sitka spruce on Indian Beach Trail for a stunning ocean view. High winds will nearly blow you off the headlands.