12 Off-The-Grid Pacific Coast Towns To Visit In 2025
As the Pacific Ocean looms enormous and enigmatic, the United States’ immense West Coast confidently rises to meet it. Along the mainland, beaches align between the sea and coastal cities, with the national artery of U.S. Route 101 linking them into a network of accessible retreats for avid water goers. Visitors absorb crimson sunsets to one side while pursuing daring adventures like rock climbing across serrated mountains and hiking through dense forests on the other, creating a vivid interplay of pleasures. From Alaska’s frozen lakes near Sheridan Glacier to California’s Arcata Community Forest, where redwoods stretch hundreds of feet into the sky, the Pacific frontier constantly evolves from frigid to sultry. Though certain areas draw dense crowds, there are plenty of communities that still escape heavy attention. These 12 off-the-grid towns are such places, lining the Pacific Coast as the ideal setting for visiting in 2025.
Brookings, Oregon
Brookings runs along the Oregon Coast Highway, making for a worthwhile beach-to-beach trail that reveals shifting coastal dynamics with subtlety and flair, all the way south to the California border. Harris Beach State Park lies along the same route where RVs come to a halt. Families aren’t in short supply, with ample tent sites accommodating picnic-goers and campers alike. The Chetco River merges into the sea, but not before enriching the Redwood Nature Trailhead, a one-mile stretch where coast redwoods grow as tall as 250 feet and reach widths of 10 feet. Framed by a wooden bridge and sweeping seacoast views, Chetco Point Break stands as the town’s signature vignette, capturing the soul of beach life and America’s Wild Rivers Coast.
At the town’s center, Azalea Park anchors the annual Azalea Festival, complete with parades and live music, worth aligning one’s visit with during Memorial Day Weekend. Winter brings a different magic as Nature’s Coastal Holiday light display illuminates the venue, wrapping up the year in seasonal splendor. Brookings also hosts the singular Pirates of the Pacific Festival and has found recognition for St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church Soup Kitchen, a commendable meal program for unhoused residents and others in need.
Crescent City, California
The seat of California’s northernmost Del Norte County, Crescent City lies closest to the Redwood National and State Parks (RNSPs), a designated World Heritage Site. It substantially fuels North Coast tourism beyond just its aquatic edge, thanks to its rare and endangered redwood giants, among the tallest and broadest tree species on Earth. This unique ecosystem has long sustained Native American tribes such as the Yurok, Tolowa, Karuk, Chilula, and Wiyot, long before the disruption brought by the Gold Rush. Visitors gather year-round to marvel at Hyperion, Helios, and Icarus, three of the world’s tallest living trees, each towering beyond 370 feet.
The local fauna includes hundreds of species, notably the vulnerable northern spotted owl. Crescent City Harbor remains illuminated by Battery Point Light, the 77-foot lighthouse that has functioned almost uninterrupted since 1856. Fishing vessels and crabbing form the backbone of the economy. Meanwhile, U.S. Route 101 threads Crescent into broader Pacific Coast circuitry, including the Bay Area. For pop culture enthusiasts, the Forest Moon Festival aims to celebrate Star Wars Day in May.
Port Townsend, Washington
Fort Worden Historical State Park, with its enchanting combination of rocky countryside, historic buildings, and coastlines beneath copper-tinted trees, sets the tone for what Port Townsend embodies. The area thrives with waterfowl, with sightings of the sharp-billed American Wigeon and the green-banded teal species darting over tidepools. North Beach County Park, which cuts directly across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, braves slashing gusts from Alaska and Canada along Admiralty Cove. The majestic County Courthouse and the gabled Frank Bartlett House are two prominent examples of the lasting Victorian waterfront structures that help downtown's historic area retain its late-1800s charisma.
For families, Port Townsend’s Chetzemoka Park is a convenient spot, spreading across gentle slopes with fire pits, picnic stations, and patches of open lawn. It stands out as the perfect destination for exchanging scary stories and indulging in weekend barbeques. The Point Wilson Light, an unshaken fixture at the inlet's edge, continues to direct ships coming in from open waters. Meanwhile, Jefferson County International Airport hosts the Port Townsend Aero Museum, which puts out restored antique aircraft and rotating displays that convey the aviation legacy of the Pacific Northwest.
Trinidad, California
Just 15 miles north of Arcata, Trinidad stands as a remote coastal city in California brimming with curiosities for travelers. Beyond its beaches, it surprises with towering rock formations, most notably the Trinidad Head, a prominent promontory connected by a narrow strip of sand stretching from the mainland to sea-bound boulders. Close by, Pewetole Island forms another striking silhouette in a small, tree-draped rise near the mouth of Miller Creek. Neighboring it is College Cove, a hidden beach that, during low tide, permits a rare walk across to the island.
The trio of Trinidad State Park, Little River State Beach, and Sue-meg State Park fronts the city’s coastline, where, depending on the skies, anything from sun-drenched picnics to cycling and aquatic diversions may fill the day. Trinidad’s hallmark is its mildly cool climate, a perceptible departure from nearby Californian interiors, thanks to stirring winds that sculpt majestic summer fogs. This atmospheric contrast nourishes forest pockets like the Tall Trees Grove nearby. Along its offshore, the high-altitude cliffs of Trinidad Bay comprise slices of the California Coastal National Monument. Additionally, remnants of the indigenous Yurok, including the Old Indian Village of Tsurai, allow glimpses into its ancestral legacy.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria marks the confluence where the Columbia River thickens and drains into the Pacific Ocean, producing marshy inlets and channels that define its western edge. The Astoria-Megler Bridge runs across the northern state of Washington, making it less about beachside frenzy and more about time-rich communal activity. Among the most distinctive pursuits is boarding the Astoria Riverfront Trolley, a heritage streetcar line that’s been running since 1913. The trolley rolls from downtown all the way to the trestle bridge that crosses the Columbia. The Columbia River Maritime Museum, stationed right along the water, chronicles everything from the evolution of regional fishing methods to the port’s commercial traffic and military entanglements.
The Captain George Flavel House Museum, a Victorian mansion from 1885, preserves antique furnishings and cultivated gardens. Fans of cult cinema will recognize parts of town from The Goonies, which heavily utilized parts of Astoria during its shooting. Several props from the movie (and others shot across Oregon) remain preserved in the Oregon Film Museum inside the old Clatsop County Jail. Astoria’s love for art and storytelling does not cease here, as the town even contains its own theatrical retelling of history, Shanghaied in Astoria. This melodramatic musical entertains audiences each summer and is routinely recommended by locals.
Seaside, Oregon
West of Saddle Mountain State Natural Area, whose summit alone is a reward for hikers, the aptly named city of Seaside provides more than just the grandeur of the Pacific. As two distinct streams trail through before merging into the Columbia River just north, Seaside embraces a near-island contour to its geography. Beyond its visual features, the town cultivates a strong sense of togetherness, especially outside the colder months. Each first weekend, Broadway Street in the Gilbert District livens up with an art walk, featuring open exhibits and rotating gallery showcases.
Seaside also stimulates more than the eye. The ever-evolving Seaside Jazz & Blues Festival invites performers to charge up growing crowds. Come summer, the Seaside Civic and Convention Center plays host to the Miss Oregon pageant, whose winner moves on to represent the state nationally. That’s not the only hallmark of summer, as the Seaside Beach Volleyball tournament remains a crowd magnet and ranks among the largest amateur competitions of its kind on the planet. Surfing culture here is equally fervent, as sizable waves draw enthusiasts to Ocean Vista Drive, many having descended from Tillamook Head. Another attraction, Gearhart, Seaside’s northern sibling, lies adjacent but differs in terrain. The deeper inland one ventures, the more cranberry bogs, and petite farms overtake the coast-bound life of fishing and surfing.
La Push, Washington
One of Washington’s many unincorporated communities that rely heavily on tourism, La Push lies not more than 20 miles from Forks. Unlike California’s sunny coast, this village thrives under a moody and shadowy atmosphere, particularly in December, where the dusk views mesmerize and seem to harmonize with introverts naturally. These associations run so deep that the popular vampire romance novel and film franchise, Twilight, chose this very portion of the coast as their backdrop. Adding to its mystique, the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which begins in Montana, weaves through Idaho and crosses the Rocky Mountains and Mount Baker, eventually meeting the Pacific Coast here, with La Push as its gateway. This reinforces the town's uniqueness, as far from being resort-oriented, it puts forward a more primal allure best experienced through log cabins within dense woods.
The Quileute Indian Reservation, whose community resides only a few dozen feet from the ocean, also happens to recognize La Push as their de facto cultural capital. Their annual tribal celebration, Quileute Days in the third week of July, motivates visitors to immerse themselves in local traditions. The aptly named River's Edge Restaurant remains a celebrated seafood destination for tourists. From horseshoe tournaments and other handcrafted arts displays to jaw-dropping fireworks exhibitions, both entertainment and cultural immersion flourish. Quileute Marina leads the way for rafting and sailing adventures to the two James Islands. Back on the surface, the Quileute River and the Fisherman Memorial Stone, dedicated to United States Coast Guard personnel and others, anchor La Push’s maritime spirit.
Cordova, Alaska
Contrary to popular belief, the Arctic region state of Alaska is not all about cold, icy glacier fronts, as the Pacific Coast of the United States quietly resumes here, much in the way Washington left it off. One such off-the-grid city, Cordova, lies about a 45-minute flight from the state's biggest city, Anchorage. As Orca Bay and near Hawkins and Hinchinbrook Islands flank it from either side, Cordova stands as a major port within the inlet. The fauna-heavy surroundings teem with wild animals like bears, wolves, lynx, coyotes, and moose.
The Copper River Delta in southwest Alaska forms a significant wetland area, which includes local marvels like Sheridan Glacier and Eyak Lake. Here, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and countless shorebirds gather across frozen waters to delight in the frigid environment. These bodies draw heavy attention in summer, with Cordova anchoring the Gulf of Alaska’s leading watersports like kayaking across Prince William Sound. Mount Eyak's towering snowfields stretch as far as the eye can reach, featuring skiing and a ski lift to fully engage by no boring means. The Eyak and Chugach peoples have shaped and designed this place for decades, keeping it in touch with traditions through cultural events. The Cordova Iceworm Festival, for instance, is a lively celebration welcoming daylight’s return after the long winter.
Cambria, California
Cambria occupies a strategic portion of California’s Central Coast, sitting nearly halfway between the supreme cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles, among others. Tourism has since cemented itself as the primary economic supplier, thanks to the state's signature rocky cliffs, beaches, and an Indian summer, all at more convenient pricing compared to its larger neighbors. Watersports and other beachside adventures aside, the town’s urban charm thrives in driving and strolling beautiful streets such as Moonstone Beach Drive and Burton Drive. The architecture here embodies originality, with imaginative designs and local guides encouraging visitors to absorb the downtown beauty on a casual tour of the district. The Guthrie-Bianchini House now acts as the backdrop for the Cambria Historical Museum, while Camozzi’s Bar and Hotel is now Mozzi’s Saloon, a two-story 1922 hotel.
Back at the shore, Moonstone Beach Boardwalk stretches long to observe sealife up close, granting access to multiple beach points, one of which is Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Cambria itself also lies amidst a native forest of Monterey pines, a determining factor for preserving and fostering wildlife. Near the village, within San Luis Obispo County, Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area do a phenomenal job sustaining this goal, with the Northern elephant seal among many species to admire. Complementing it, the White Rock State Marine Conservation Area protects underwater ocean life. San Simeon Park enables distant viewing, recreational stops, and campgrounds that extend the spirit of exploration.
Anacortes, Washington
Fidalgo Island stands right between the grunge capital, Seattle, and the Canadian cities of Victoria and Vancouver. This placement seems to be accentuating the broader allure of the San Juan Islands archipelago. Surrounding the city are Padilla, Burrows, and Fidalgo Bays, the last featuring an aquatic reserve crafted from salt marshes and eelgrass beds. Hiking, boating, and even biking around the area grant visitors rare glimpses of wildlife as species engage in reproduction. Actualizing this surreal encounter is the Tommy Thompson Trail ashore, before it extends across the sea to March’s Point, the gateway to Anacortes’ eastern beauty.
Views of Cypress Island, a protected region limited to primitive recreation, bring opportunities for whale-watching to fortunate tourists. The Oyster Run, a grand motorcycle rally of the Pacific Northwest, involves up to 20,000 bikers riding without set rules, inspiring a free-spirited atmosphere. Anacortes Arts Festival, now going strong in its seventh decade, draws around 80,000 visitors during the first weekend of August to celebrate community arts, jazz, and blues musicians along the downtown main street. Mount Erie, a hotspot for rock climbing, rewards climbers with panoramic vistas from its nearly 1,300-foot peak. While on a trip, The Majestic Inn, built in 1890, remains the city’s vintage and preferred historic boutique hotel, while Alexander Beach nearby exudes a more carefree style with its abundance of beach houses and cabins.
McKinleyville, California
An unincorporated community near Arcata and Arcata Bay, McKinleyville is less explored than it is stumbled upon, thanks in part to the region's Arcata-Eureka Airport and Humboldt County’s wider network. The town stands out for soothing visitors with warmer weather compared to its typically foggy neighbors. Clam Beach County Park stretches into the Pacific, while multiple small ponds and Little River mirror the aquatic magic on the other side. Widow White Interpretive Trail provides a looped route ideal for birdwatching, dog walking, and hiking, sparing visitors from having to backtrack.
Mad River runs through the heart of the area, feeding resources into Azalea State Natural Reserve and Arcata Community Forest, alongside other watersheds and streams like Mill Creek, Widow White Creek, Norton Creek, Strawberry Creek, and Patrick Creek. Beyond nature, the Humboldt State University Natural Collections showcases fossils through the Maloney Fossil Collection and Native American artifacts, often allowing an interactive experience with dinosaur bone casts and meteorites. McKinleyville, home to the Wiyot and Yurok communities, reflects their cultural spirit within the town’s ambiance. Each summer, the community hosts Pony Express Days, a festival commemorating the eponymous mail delivery service, with Pierson Park organizing cook-offs, craft shows, and parades that celebrate a lively chapter of the American West.
Manzanita, Oregon
Off the magnificent headland of Nehalem Bay, Manzanita occupies land once home to the Tillamook people for over 10,000 years. It remains the primary beach destination for those making a stop from Portland, which lies about 85 miles away. Nehalem Bay State Park offers walking routes adjacent to sand spits while camping there means living close to mountain lions, black bears, and coyotes. North of town, Neakahnie-Manzanita State Park showcases picture-perfect sunsets, where the golden hour bathes everything in hues of yellow across the sea.
The city’s treasures extend beyond geography and wildlife into archaeology. Cronin Point Site holds protohistoric artifacts, with fire-cracked rocks suggesting societal rituals rather than natural events. It stands as an unfiltered outdoor museum filled with raw glass shards, bone pieces, shell fragments, and evidence of a 17th-century shipwreck, Beeswax Wreck, which sank Spain’s Santo Cristo de Burgos. For a more aesthetically pleasing diversion, Manzanita houses multiple art galleries, including Kathleen Hickey Studio, Hoffman Center, and Linda Petersen Fine Arts. Each year, the Manzanita Beach Walk & Run acts as a spirited community event and fundraiser for the local fitness center in nearby Nehalem.
The Pacific Coast Offers Endless Wonders
With communities such as those aforementioned, the Pacific Coast is bound to reward travelers with consistently sunny conditions and an abundance of year-round activities that never disappoint. There are places like McKinleyville presenting open parks where tide pools animate the dramatic yet mesmerizing shorelines, while sandy expanse like those in Cambria is an invitation for reflective walks down its breezy perimeters. Anacortes, sitting in proximity to the Canadian border, channels the atmosphere of the northern Pacific with its craggy bays and cooler winds, eliminating any stereotypes associated with the world's largest ocean.
Manzanita, on the other hand, frames the coastline with its enchanting scenery for a more subdued yet memorable experience. Between serrated cliffs, monumental forests, and an ample amount of beaches, each town encountered along this route captures a facet of the Pacific spirit that remains vast, powerful, and unforgettable. Whether tracing meandering paths or standing still against crashing tides, travelers find themselves embedded in a coastline that continues to command awe without succumbing to excess.
