12 Adorable Small Towns In the Pacific Coast
The West Coast of the United States is one of the country's best-known travel regions, and for good reason. From the birthplace of American cinema to the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific shoreline carries a lot of range. The big cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle) get most of the attention, but the small coastal towns below are where a lot of the most rewarding travel actually happens.
Sequim, Washington
Sequim sits on the Olympic Peninsula and is often referred to as the lavender capital of North America. The Sequim Lavender Weekend each July is the local event that makes good on the claim. Beyond lavender, Sequim works well as a base for outdoor travel: hiking in the surrounding forests, biking on the Olympic Discovery Trail, and exploring the wider Sequim-Dungeness Valley. Farmers markets and seasonal festivals run throughout the year.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Called Carmel by locals, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its beaches and rocky coast. The shopping is strong, and nearby coastal areas offer surfing. The town has a storybook look: cottages covered in vines and flowers, farm-to-table restaurants, cobblestone streets, and an overall European feel. Just south of Carmel, the Big Sur coast begins, and the Santa Lucia Mountains drop straight to the Pacific along Highway 1. Carmel Valley Ranch is a well-regarded place to stay with strong valley views.
Ashland, Oregon
Ashland was listed in the 1990s book The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America and the cultural scene has held up since. The town sits at the foot of the Siskiyou Mountains and the southern end of the Cascade Range and features award-winning galleries, theaters, and restaurants. Mt. Ashland Ski Area handles winter, and the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival pulls serious theater travelers from February through October. For a day trip in summer, Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the United States at 1,949 feet, is roughly 80 miles north.
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Approaching Bainbridge Island by ferry from Seattle (a 35-minute ride across Puget Sound), the shoreline reads as mostly undeveloped. The town center, a neighborhood called Winslow, overlooks Eagle Harbor. Grab a coffee, bun, or calamari at Doc's Marina Grill and walk the main streets before heading to attractions like Bainbridge Gardens or Frog Rock. Hiking, swimming, and fishing fill out the rest of the day.
Florence, Oregon
Florence's historic Old Town is the main draw. Walk across the Siuslaw River Bridge and wave at the kayakers on the river below. Oregon has a strong clam chowder tradition, and LoveJoy's Restaurant & Tea Room serves gluten-free versions that hold up. The Florence Events Center and Three Rivers Casino Resort both run live entertainment. For lodging, the Heceta Lighthouse B&B, about 13 miles north of town, sits above the sea cliffs with strong views of the coast and beach below. Binoculars help with spotting migrating gray whales along the Oregon coast in winter and spring.
Solvang, California
In the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County, Solvang wears its Danish heritage openly. Architecture throughout town pulls from Danish precedent. Ride the trolley for a guided tour or walk the village past five Danish-style windmills, the Little Mermaid Fountain, and the Round Tower of Solvang. Danish pastries are the local specialty, and five bakeries serve them. The town is also home to more than 20 wine and beer tasting rooms, plus several small museums covering Solvang's Danish roots.
La Conner, Washington
La Conner is a strong weekend-getaway pick for its temperate climate, mountain views, and steady calendar of events. The Art's Alive event each November has been running for nearly 40 years and showcases regional artists. About an hour north of Seattle, La Conner sits on the Swinomish Channel and was a regional steamboat hub in the 1890s. Nell Thorn Restaurant, overlooking the channel, is the spot for Dungeness crab with a water view. Pioneer Park works for families and picnics in warmer months.
Newport, Oregon
This town of just over 10,000 on the Oregon coast has a laid-back beach feel. Yaquina Head Lighthouse, with its original Fresnel lens still in place, is the tallest lighthouse in Oregon at 93 feet. Newport's beaches are a known spot for viewing gray whales in their spring and fall migrations, with occasional orca sightings. The Nye Beach Deco District handles the espresso bars, bakeries, and Art Deco storefronts.
Sausalito, California
Just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Sausalito is a Bay Area favorite for its water views and seafood. Find the catch of the day at farmers markets near Dunphy Park. For sit-down meals, local standouts include Fish, Poggio, and Bar Bocce. The Golden Gate Ferry handles day trips to San Francisco. Kayaking across the bay is easy to set up, and the town's distinctive community of floating homes is worth a look.
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend, on the Olympic Peninsula, is best known for its Victorian-era architecture and natural harbor. It is one of only three Victorian seaports on the National Register of Historic Places. Steeped in maritime history, it has been called the Paris of the Pacific Northwest, and the local calendar is stacked with festivals. The First Saturday Gallery Walk and Strange Brewfest (held in January) are two solid anchors. Chetzemoka Park, along the shoreline, is the town's standout public green space.
Fort Bragg, California
This former lumber town has shifted into a steady tourism draw. The Skunk Train runs over trestle bridges and through forests of old-growth redwoods. Whale watching is common in season, and boats come and go from Noyo Harbor. Kayaking on the Noyo River, a towel at Hidden Beach, or a ceramics class at Little Cup Ceramics round out the options. Glass Beach, with its sea-tumbled glass shoreline, is the town's signature photo spot.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach has been recognized by National Geographic as one of America's best beach towns, helped by its proximity to Portland and its access to Pacific coast hiking. Ecola State Park stretches along 9 miles of Oregon shoreline and has a Sitka spruce forest worth walking. Haystack Rock (as seen in the 1985 film The Goonies) is the landmark the town is built around. For local food, Castaways serves Cajun and Creole plates that pair well with a long walk on the sand.
Plan A Pacific Coast Trip
The Pacific Coast is a pleasure to explore. Drive the Pacific Coast Highway with the top down, or hike the redwood forests of Northern California. Watch whales between Seattle and San Diego, or eat your way through some of the country's best seafood. The 12 small towns above are where a lot of the Pacific Coast's best travel actually happens.
