11 Safest Small Communities To Settle On The Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast is dotted with safe, small communities that are both lively and geographically diverse. From the misty beaches and forested headlands of Washington and Oregon to the sunlit shores of California and historic towns of Alaska, these places promote peaceful coexistence, whether it's through the celebration of Native American cultures like the Quileute Nation in La Push, the protection of endangered plovers in Port Orford, or seaside tranquility a stone's throw from concrete jungles and urban centers in Manhattan Beach and Del Mar. The following towns are proof that settling along the Pacific Coast might just be the very best move.
Manhattan Beach, California
This beautiful coastal gem, north of Long Beach and south of Malibu, is a sunny alternative to the moody skies of the Pacific Northwest and a safe haven beyond the urban hustle of Los Angeles. Manhattan Beach Pier is a popular place to take in the sunset and fish for mackerel, barracuda, and bonito. Another popular beach slightly north of the pier is El Porto. Fishing is permitted here as well, and other activities include swimming and surfing.
Aspiring marine biologists can join the more than 300,000 yearly visitors at the Roadhouse Aquarium to spot moon jellies, sharks, octopus, moray eels, and lobsters, as well as to touch sea stars, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, and even sea snails. And for a leisurely ride or stroll, why not check out the Marvin Braude Bike Trail? This 22-mile paved path runs along the Los Angeles County coastline between Will Rogers State Beach and Torrance Beach and is open all year long.
Goleta, California
This small town near Santa Barbara also has a lot to offer, with a welcoming community and plenty of amenities for families and new residents. Goleta Beach Park is the place to go for barbecues and picnics, as well as art classes for children, walking trails, horseshoe pits, birdwatching, fishing, boating, and swimming with seasonal lifeguards. Golfers can also enjoy the California sun at the Sandpiper Golf Club, on what was once a crude oil production center before the land was bought and developed into a golf course. There are discounts for residents and juniors under the age of 18, and the Grill at Sandpiper serves comfort food in a casual setting to refuel and reset after a day on the links. For more educational outings, the South Coast Railroad Museum is open in the center of Goleta and is housed in the Goleta Depot, a restored station house built in 1901.
Gold Beach, Oregon
Gold Beach, Oregon, is another sweet spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Kissing Rock is a local landmark that can be accessed via an easy trail along the Oregon Coast Highway. It is a five-minute hike to the natural rock formation that looks like two faces kissing. In April, the town hides hand-crafted glass floats along the beach for a unique scavenger hunt. Glass floats were traditionally used to buoy fishing nets and would sometimes be found on the shore. Hunters are given a treasure map to find 1,500 such glass floats, all about three inches in size, throughout the month of April.
Another interesting sight in Gold Beach is the wreck of the historic steamboat, the Mary D. Hume, during low tide, when portions of the hull are still exposed. The ship was built in the 1800s and was retired as the oldest commercial vessel in the Pacific Northwest. It was to be displayed as a museum ship, but during an attempt to place the ship in a support cradle, it sank in shallow water and has been resting there ever since. There is also fun to be had at Otter Point, close to Gold Beach, where walking and hiking trails abound, overlooking beaches and more photo-worthy rock formations.
Port Orford, Oregon
Port Orford in Oregon is home to Port Orford Heads State Park, a small park around the Port Orford Lifeboat Station. This station was in use until 1970 and provided lifesaving services to the southern Oregon coast. It includes an observation tower and boathouse, the former Officer-in-Charge residence, and another house for crew quarters. The compound is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the crew quarters are now the Port Orford Lifeboat Station Museum. Beachcombers might enjoy seeing the blooming of flowers along the coast during the spring, as well as careful birding when the snowy plover’s nesting season begins. There are restrictions to protect the endangered bird, but Floras Lake State Natural Area is a popular spot for spotting this and other rare species year-round.
Recreating on the Elk River is also a good activity, just north of Port Orford along the southern Oregon Coast. Three campgrounds are within the river corridor, and the river itself contains important populations of Chinook salmon, sea-run cutthroat trout, winter steelhead, and coho salmon. The Elk River provides excellent spawning and rearing habitat for young fish, and while only a short segment of the designated river is open for salmon and steelhead fishing, this site and the surrounding watershed attract anglers from around the country.
Oak Harbor, Washington
This small town on Whidbey Island in Washington’s Puget Sound is as historic as it is scenic. The local Main Street Association works to preserve the town's appeal and does so through events and revitalization efforts, such as murals and public sculptures. Local boutiques and eateries line Pioneer Way, with an eclectic mix of options that range from Mexican and sushi to Thai and Southern BBQ. For nature lovers, a great place to check out cool views is Deception Pass, just to the north, which spans two islands connected by a series of bridges. The natural land comprises ocean cliffs and old-growth forests, and a good sunset is in the making almost every evening!
Another popular spot for not just locals, but travelers from Seattle via ferry, is the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum. Learn about the culture of Navy airmen in World War II, life on an air carrier during Operation Desert Storm, as well as firsthand accounts of the missions taken on by the US military over the decades. The highlight for many is a pair of immersive flight simulators that put the visitor in control.
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Bainbridge Island is another safe and friendly community on the Puget Sound that prioritizes and protects natural beauty. The Bloedel Reserve spans 140 acres of curated gardens planned and implemented by Prentice and Virginia Bloedel. The gardens use a timed-entry ticketing system and can be reserved online, and members of the gardens get special prices for visitation. A short 49-minute boat ride away is Blake Island, popular for boating, camping, and picnicking. Bainbridge Island is also the home of the Bainbridge Museum of Art, which showcases contemporary works by artists from the Puget Sound region, as well as a rotating Artists' Book Collection and several temporary exhibits.
Del Mar, California
Del Mar is just 20 miles north of San Diego and, like Manhattan Beach, gives Californians access to urban amenities and attractions at a safe distance. It is also home to Del Mar Fairgrounds, which hosts the San Diego County Fair, twice-yearly horse races, and nearly 300 other events that attract up to 3 million visitors each year. As a place where movie stars once flocked during Hollywood’s golden age, Del Mar boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with several award-winning restaurants offering dining al fresco.
L’Auberge Del Mar resort is a bit of a one-stop shop, with a trendy cafe and pool bar, as well as Adelaide, for fine dining inspired by the ocean, and the Living Room, for curated cocktails and happy hour Sunday through Thursday. And for the fun-loving and adventurous, Del Mar’s beautiful stretch of the Pacific can also be the start of a wonderful, active hobby or lifestyle … surfing! Rusty Del Mar offers 60-minute lessons a block away from the beach. The Dog Beach is also a great place, where humans and their furry friends are welcome to run and swim, as well as play volleyball.
Ilwaco, Washington
The Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum is a logical starting point to get a sense of place in this Washington town. Here, visitors and new locals alike can immerse themselves in the dynamic cultures of the Pacific Northwest. The museum features displays about the native Chinookan Tribe, as well as the logging and fishing industries, and present-day tourism. Despite its name, Cape Disappointment State Park is well worth a visit to walk the forested trails around lakes, marshes, and tidelands where the Columbia River meets the Pacific. The North Head Lighthouse is also open for self-guided tours between May and September, and the park is home to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which tells the story of the early explorers' overland journey from St. Louis to the west coast.
Gearhart, Oregon
Lovely Gearhart is the peaceful, quiet neighbor of the nearby resort town, Seaside. There isn't a single traffic light in Gearhart, and all roads lead to grassy dunes on the Pacific Ocean. King Tide Bakery is the go-to for a morning coffee and fresh pastry, perhaps to enjoy on a walk along the beach. Close by is the Del Rey Beach State Recreation Site, perfect for flying a kite, building a sand castle, having a picnic, and taking in a beautiful sunset. Gearhart Golf Links is another draw. Opened in 1892, it is the oldest course in the Pacific Northwest and boasts 18 stunning holes flanked by the ocean. An added bonus is that members also enjoy playing privileges at Carne Golf Links, Gearhart's sister course in County Mayo, Ireland.
Skagway, Alaska
Of course, Alaska is also on the Pacific Coast, and there is no better place to experience this final frontier than Skagway, known for its Gold Rush history as a gateway to the Klondike. At the former White Pass and Yukon Railroad Depot, built in 1898, the National Park Service Visitor Center holds movies and walking tours in the summer. In the administration building, a small museum shares stories about the people and events that shaped Alaska. For an open-air museum and immersive experience unlike any other, the Chilkoot Trail gives hikers the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Gold Rush pioneers. The bucket-list 33-mile trek culminates in a climb up and over the “Golden Stairs” across the border into Canada via British Columbia, with a return trip via rail on the historic White Pass and Yukon Railroad.
La Push, Washington
Located on the incredibly scenic Olympic Peninsula, La Push is one more nature lover's dream. World-class surfing draws tourists and new residents alike, and First Beach is a favorite spot along the region's 70 miles of protected coastline. It is also the site of the annual Welcoming the Whales ceremony, hosted by the Quileute Tribal School, which celebrates the return of gray whales to La Push during their spring migration. Every year in July, the Quileute Nation hosts Quileute Days to honor their culture and heritage. Activities include a salmon bake, dancing, music, softball, and horseshoe tournaments, as well as food vendors and artisans. Meanwhile, Second Beach, part of the Olympic National Park Wilderness Coast, is reached via a short trail through coastal forest that rewards with ocean views, sea stacks, and opportunities to view bald eagles and seals.
The Pacific Coast has long captivated dreamers worldwide, from redwoods to palm trees and the last frontier. Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California continue to draw newcomers for the relative safety and natural beauty of the small towns along the coast. Whether the preference is for misty Northwest rains or Southern California sun, the Pacific Coast provides diverse, peaceful options for finding a new home by the sea.
