2025's Most Underrated Towns In Pacfic Coast
The Pacific coastline of the United States encompasses some of the most beautiful regions on the planet. With its generally temperate climate, lush landscapes, and plethora of interesting human settlements, from bustling cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles to the smaller towns we will be focusing on today, this nearly 8,000-mile length of waterfront property is truly an amazing place to explore this year.
So, as we said, we will be taking a look at some of the smaller communities you can find here that don't quite get the recognition they deserve. From little-known parks to historic downtown cores, read on to see what could be your next travel destination.
Port Orford, Oregon
Port Orford is the oldest town sitting directly on the Oregon coast, established in 1856, yet one of the most overlooked. Its highly scenic geography is defined by oceanside rock formations like the Battle Rock. Today, the Battle Rock Wayside Park is home to some of the region's best short walking trails, and it also has direct beach access with views of Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve just offshore, a key snorkeling site protected for its rich marine biodiversity.
To the north, Port Orford Heads State Park includes WWII-era lifeboat station buildings and a short network of trails with views of Cape Blanco, where migrating gray whales can sometimes be witnessed. Moreover, the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, eight miles north, is in fact the westernmost point in Oregon and has a history of service dating back to 1870. Tours of the tower, along with the nearby Hughes House, operate seasonally, making it an excellent spot for sightseers and history fans alike.
If you enjoy cycling, be sure to also pay a visit to the nearby Wild Rivers Coast Scenic Bikeway, which provides direct bike access to Sixes and Elk Rivers, known for salmon runs and clear swimming holes.
The town itself has a working port and one of only two “dolly docks” in the U.S., where cranes lift boats entirely in and out of the water daily. The port district also hosts a collection of gift shops, seafood markets, and other local businesses for you to stroll among.
Fort Bragg, California
Often overshadowed by nearby Mendocino, Fort Bragg is a former military outpost that perfectly exemplifies Northern California’s rugged coastline.
The town’s standout feature is the 104-acre Noyo Headlands Park, a former mill site converted into public coastal trail space. The multi-use path here runs along the bluffs, passing various interpretive panels, native plants and animals, and several overlooks above sea caves. The main singular draw to this park, however, is likely Glass Beach. Situated at the park’s northern end, this odd sight draws attention for its wave-polished remnants of decades-old garbage dumping. While the collection of the glass is now prohibited, the site functions as a bit of an informal open-air museum of waste repurposed by nature. From here, you can also walk over to the Guest House Museum, which details the region’s timber and railroad history inside a nicely preserved 19th-century residence.
Another cool historic activity in Fort Bragg is taking a ride on the Skunk Train. Operating since 1885, this old-timey locomotive departs from downtown and runs into the redwood-laden interior of NorCal. If you'd like one more way to explore the local interior landscapes, the nearby Jackson Demonstration State Forest contains more public hiking trails, some even accessible from the train line.
Ilwaco, Washington
Ilwaco sits at the base of the Long Beach peninsula, adjacent to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean beyond. Like many port towns, the Port of Ilwaco features a marina promenade lined with seafood vendors and maritime-themed shops. It also serves as the departure point for fishing trips, many of which target salmon, halibut, and tuna.
If you do happen to be hungry when you arrive at the oceanfront (and we wouldn't blame you), the Salt Pub is a cozy little spot right by the water, serving up fresh catches along with local wines. It also has a hotel attached to it, making this spot a very convenient place to base your trip if you are staying for more than a day. Another option for a bite to eat is to check out the local oyster farms in Willapa Bay, many of which provide direct sales and tastings.
At the western edge of town, the famous Cape Disappointment State Park spans over 2,000 acres and includes two functioning lighthouses along with several other historic landmarks. Miles of trails link cliffside viewpoints, old military batteries, and coastal forests. Furthermore, the park's interpretive center covers Lewis and Clark’s arrival at the Pacific at this location, and details the later shipwrecks that earned the cape its name.
Or, go for an extended outing on the Discovery Trail, a paved eight-mile route for pedestrians and cyclists, which begins at the marina and runs north to Long Beach and even traces part of Lewis and Clark’s route. On the other hand, nearby Black Lake offers non-motorized boating and is a hotspot for birdwatching.
Yachats, Oregon
Yachats is a small coastal town of around 1,000 residents situated between the forested slopes of the Siuslaw National Forest and the basalt-strewn shoreline of the central Oregon coast.
Downtown Yachats contains mainly a concentration of mom-and-pop shops, cafes, and cute city parks. The Yachats State Recreation Area, in particular, is a must-visit, not only for its natural beauty but its ease of access, located right at the edge of town.
The Yachats River, which meets the ocean at the south edge of town, is flanked by short trails and several other small parks. Also, just south of town is Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, which rises over 800 feet above sea level and contains an extensive trail network through temperate rainforest and exposed headlands. Notable natural features include Thor’s Well, a collapsed sea cave that draws in waves at high tide, and the stone Civilian Conservation Corps-built West Shelter, which overlooks the ocean from the cape’s summit.
Another way to find adventure within reach of the ocean is by going to the 804 Trail, which runs along the rocky coastline near downtown, giving uninterrupted pedestrian access to a number of geological formations and vantage points for whale-watching. Moreover, Smelt Sands State Recreation Site, at the trail’s northern end, is a local favorite fishing spot if you bring along your tackle box.
Trinidad, California
Trinidad, situated on a forested bluff above a natural harbor, is about 23 miles north of the much bigger, more popular city of Eureka. This quaint town is surrounded by public lands, including notable destinations like Trinidad State Beach, College Cove, and the offshore rocks of the California Coastal National Monument.
Trinidad Head, a prominent peninsula, offers a steep but short loop trail with perhaps the best views of the local sea stacks, as well as harbor seals and nesting seabirds. Furthermore, what is possibly the area's most visited greenspace, Sue-meg State Park, lies a short drive north and includes reconstructed native Yurok structures, lively tidepools, and footpaths within its coastal forests.
Learn more about this beautiful and historic community at the Trinidad Museum, housed in a former school building which contains exhibits on Yurok tribal culture, the town’s early settler period, and the area's marine environment. Adjacent to the museum, the Native Plant Garden catalogs over 100 species found in the immediate area. The historic Holy Trinity Church (built in 1873) and the small but well-preserved cemetery are two more places that overlook the ocean and serve as physical records of 19th-century coastal life in this part of California, should you be interested in doing a deep dive into it.
Spend Some Time in These Lesser-Known Communities This Year
From the rainforests of Washington to the chaparral-covered foothills of California, it is clear that there is a wide variety of unique destinations to explore along the Pacific coastline this year. Whether you're searching for a new park to dive into, want to learn more about the history of this vast region of the country, or would simply like to indulge in a fresh seafood dinner at a locally owned eatery, there is no reason for your 2025 out West to be dull.
