Charming Beach Towns on the West Coast

When it comes to beach towns along the West Coast, the climate is drastically different from North to South. A coastal town in the Pacific Northwest is going to be a very different trip than to one of the white sand beaches in Southern California. However, what all the places on this list have in common is that they have the exact kind of charm I look for whether it’s wandering around local businesses, having access to some seriously beautiful nature, and, of course, being able to go enjoy the water.

Check below for a list of beach towns on the West Coast to consider visiting!

Washington

Considering even the hottest summer days in Washington are hardly considered beach weather, you probably shouldn’t plan on doing a lot of ocean swimming or sunbathing here if any at all. It reminds me a bit of Coastal Maine in that you should plan your trip around nature and the community vibe many of these small towns have. After all, you’re smack dab in the middle of the Pacific Northwest!

Coupeville

Calling all Practical Magic fans. Did you know the movie was filmed in the charming Coupeville on Whidbey Island? Situated in Penn Cove, it’s the second oldest town in all of Washington and has the exact kind of maritime culture you’d hope to find. Front Street is especially full of cool stores with some dating back to the 1800s. Use the town as a base to explore the rest of Whidbey Island, especially all nearby nature trails. And of course, be sure to sample some of the Penn Cove mussels Coupeville is known for!

Friday Harbor

A gateway town to the San Juan Islands, Friday Harbor is pretty much right in between Seattle and Victoria, BC. There’s this beautiful, slowed down pace that makes it perfect for when you need to really escape the hustle and bustle of normal life for a few days. Hike around Lime Kiln Point State Park and just breathe in that beautiful Pacific Northwest air before coming back to a small town where not a single chain restaurant exists.

Port Townsend

Right at the edge of the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula,  Port Townsend is everything you could want out of a historic Washington town. It was founded back in the mid-1800s and became a major seaport town. As a result, there’s a number of beautiful Victorian homes all around that make for a unique stroll. They’re especially concentrated in Uptown where a lot of wealthier residents set up shop. Another neat thing to look out for when wandering round is the town’s ghost murals! They’re old painted advertisements from years past that have been slowly fading with time.

Westport

For more of a beach vibe in Washington, head over to Westport. Right at the tip of Point Chehalis Peninsula and at the entrance to Grays Harbor, it’s all about the ocean here. It’s even known as Washington’s surf capital for those of you looking for some adventure. (Just know that the ocean is going to be freezing). I love that it’s between the busier Ocean Shores and Long Beach, so you can easily drive to explore the busier parts of Washington’s coastline and then come back for more peace and quiet.

Oregon

Similar to Washington, Oregon is part of the Pacific Northwest with cooler summer temperatures and a very cold ocean. Don’t necessarily come expecting to swim but you’ll definitely find beach towns and seriously stunning coastal vistas. In fact, the Oregon coast is one of  my favorite scenic drives!

Astoria

Right below the border between Washington and Oregon, you might recognize Astoria from one of the greatest adventure movies ever made, The Goonies. What you may not know is that this town is also the oldest in Oregon and the very first permanent US settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. There’s a bit of grit mixed in with all its history, and I always say it’s a great starting place for anyone who wants to travel along Oregon’s coast. When staying here, also make time for the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

Cannon Beach

Further down US Route 101, Cannon Beach is probably the most well known coastal town in Oregon. Even if you weren’t searching for it, you’ve probably seen at least one photo of the stunning Haystack Rock at sunset. It’s very easy to stay in town and walk right to the beach. If you want to get some hiking in, head to nearby Ecola State Park. As a bonus you’ll get gorgeous views of Cannon Beach and the coastline.

Newport

With the Pacific Ocean on one side and Yaquina Bay on the other,  Newport really has the best of both worlds. There’s a lot to be said about its waterfront culture as well as the way it’s historically been a haven for artists but I’m skipping to the two main reasons you won’t want to miss. The first is sea lions! During the summer you can view these adorable creatures from the Newport Historic Bayfront – for free. The other is that it’s home to the tallest lighthouse in Oregon, Yaquina Head Light House. And not only can you visit Yaquina, you can tour with guides dressed as they would in the olden days.

Bandon

Bandon is about as close as it gets to a classic beach town in Oregon. Everything here feels like it goes the extra mile. The rugged vistas of Coquille Point aren’t just beautiful, they look straight out of an epic movie while its Old Town is even more charming than you’d expect a historic district to be. Check out the tiny Coquille River Lighthouse and when you want to change up, see why exactly Bandon is known as the Cranberry Capital of Oregon.

California

Considering California takes up a majority of the US West Coast, I could probably fill multiple travel guides going into every single charming coastal town to visit in this state alone. You’ll notice as you get further south and the weather warms up, the towns slowly change in culture and appeal. It helps that once you get below Santa Barbara, the Pacific Ocean is actually warm enough to swim in like you would at most Atlantic Ocean beaches in summer.

Capitola

Nearby Santa Cruz on Monterey Bay, Capitola is the very definition of a quaint seaside village. It actually began as a tent camp in the 1800s and is considered California’s oldest resort town. In a state known for its highways and emphasis on car-friendliness, Capitola was designed to be walkable. The goal is to park once and then wander through its beachside, candy-colored houses on foot. Sit on the beach (or the benches lining the beach) and watch the surfers before grabbing a bite at one of its locally-owned restaurants.

Monterey & Big Sur

Whenever anyone thinks of roadtripping the Pacific Coast Highway in California, there’s not a doubt in my mind that images of Monterey and Big Sur come up first. And for good reason – it might just be the most picturesque part of the entire drive. Whether you want to see sea otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, stroll the beach at Garrapata State Park, or grab a bite with incredible coastal views, there’s so much to do in this one stretch. At the very least, make sure you check out the iconic view of Bixby Creek Bridge!

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Right between Monterey and Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea requires its own section. It’s often considered one of the most charming towns in all the United States because of its storybook cottages and whimsical culture. Stroll through downtown Carmel to see all these cottages and then enjoy the misty Carmel Beach nearby. If you walk to the southern end, you’ll even run into a Frank Lloyd Wright house.

Avila Beach

Tucked into California’s Central Coast, Avila Beach is truly idyllic. It feels a bit like a hidden gem only because most people are more likely to head to nearby San Luis Obispo or Pismo Beach first. But Avila is perfect for anyone looking for the kind of small beach town where you can grab breakfast downtown, cross the street, and eat with your feet in the sand. When you want to stretch your legs, the Bob Jones Trail starts right at the beach or you can kayak from Harford Pier to Point San Luis Lighthouse.

Laguna Beach

There’s a good reason Orange County inspired at least three different shows during the 2000s. If I were to narrow it down to one town, I’d have to go with Laguna Beach. During the 20th century, this town became an artists’ colony as creatives were drawn to its natural beauty. I mean, the color of the ocean alone! Take advantage of the free trolley to stop into any one of its beautiful beaches. Main Beach is great for activity and location but if you want some seclusion, check out Victoria Beach and its Pirate Tower. When you want a break from the sea, hike up Top of the World for views all over Laguna and make sure to visit one of the many, many art galleries in town. I also loved visiting the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and learning about all they do to help adorable creatures like sea lions and fur seals.

Coronado Island

I loved starting my southern California road trip on Coronado Island. Right across the bay from San Diego, it’s technically a peninsula but I’ll let the misnomer slide. Coronado feels like a small town and has long been a favorite escape for SoCal locals. The Victorian-style Hotel del Coronado is an icon all on its own thanks to Some Like it Hot. Come to unwind on its white sand beaches and take advantage of its year round warm weather.

And there you have some incredible beach towns on the West Coast. Let me know which towns I need to add below!