7 Most Eccentric Towns on the Pacific Coast

There’s eccentric; then there’s the US West Coast eccentric. When you’re looking for all things weird, quirky, unique, and underrated, you’ll find all of that and more up and down the United States’ Pacific Coast. From a beach town that doubles as a fashion-forward home design haven to a town steeped in Native American history by the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States, there’s a whole lot to see and do up and down this coast. Even if you’re more in the mood for a traditional coastal resort town, you’ll find a wealth of hidden treasures and even a historic castle.

Whether you seek warm vibes and big waves or moody forests by the sea, don’t miss out on these unique small towns. Here are seven of the most eccentric towns on the Pacific Coast.

Solana Beach, California

Located just 23 miles north of San Diego, Solana Beach is one of those California beach towns where you have to scratch beneath the surface to discover more of what it’s all about. Yes, of course Solana Beach has lovely beaches like Fletcher Cove for idyllic swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, and even surf fishing. But if you want to really reach the heart of Solana Beach, head two blocks inland to the Cedros Design District and discover a wild and wonderful world of indie boutiques and powerhouse trendsetters like Bixby & Ball, Cokas Diko Home, and Séjour Home.

Beyond home decor stores, Cedros Avenue features the Solana Beach Farmers’ Market, open every Sunday (excluding a few holidays), which is bustling year-round with organic and locally certified fresh produce, meats, baked goods, flowers, soaps, and more. This is also the location of Belly Up, one of San Diego County’s most renowned live music venues, having hosted artists from Tom Jones and the Rolling Stones to Etta James and Gwen Stefani. When it’s time to settle down, you can choose a cozy studio or suite near the beach at Sand Pebbles or explore a more luxurious resort experience inland at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe.

Neah Bay, Washington

Located on Makah tribal lands where the Salish Sea meets the Pacific Ocean—about 96 miles (or 153 kilometers) west of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada)—Neah Bay is a beach town like no other. Despite the usually brisk weather, it’s still quite possible to enjoy a great day at the beach, whether you prefer surfing at Hobuck Beach or taking an epic journey to Cape Flattery to reach the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States.

While in town, you can arrange a guided fishing trip with Big Salmon Fishing Resort, purchase fresh plants and fish at Windy Acre Farm, and visit the Makah Museum to learn about the history of the Makah indigenous community and discover ways to preserve local traditions, culture, and language. After your explorations, you can reserve a cabin or an RV site at the Cape Resort, or stay at the Inn at Neah Bay, which offers a prime location near Bullman Beach.

Seabrook, Washington

What do you call a small beach town developed on the principles of New Urbanism? Well, we have to call it Seabrook, a curious little town on Washington’s Pacific Coast that’s about 138 miles southwest of Seattle. When you’re in Seabrook, you’re never more than a short stroll away from the town’s own beach that abounds in soft sand, long crashing waves, and astounding cleanliness. In addition, you’re only a short drive away from the more naturally pristine shores of Mocrocks and Roosevelt Beaches, where you can try your hands at clamming or simply enjoy some great whale watching.

Back in town, enjoy Seabrook’s many amenities, from its extensive network of mountain biking and mixed-use trails to its swimming pools, pickleball and tennis courts, and free sports equipment available to borrow at The Dugout. No matter the size of your group, Seabrook likely has the perfect vacation rental home for you.

Newport, Oregon

If you drive the entire 3,365-mile length of US Route 20 west from Boston (Massachusetts), you will ultimately land at Newport. Here at “The Dungeness Crab Capital of the World,” you can visit Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site and South Beach State Park and try catching your own seafood. Even if you come up empty-handed, that’s never entirely true, because you can still have a great time exploring Oregon’s last remaining lighthouse with in-house living quarters at Yaquina Bay, and you can catch some great waves while surfing at South Beach. To learn more about Newport’s nautical heritage, head to the Pacific Maritime Heritage Center for some fascinating local history.

If you'd rather have someone else handle the catching and cooking, you can savor excellent seafood at local spots such as Mo’s Seafood and Chowder, Georgie’s Beachside Grill, and Myril Eatery + Wine Bar, which also offers a fine selection of Oregon wines. After a day of exploring the shoreline, relax aboard the beautiful Newport Belle riverboat bed and breakfast or settle in at the charming Hallmark Newport Resort near the beach.

Bolinas, California

The small seaside village of Bolinas is just about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco, but it offers a distinctly different atmosphere with its bohemian spirit and coastal appeal. Begin your visit at Bolinas Beach, also called Brighton Beach, which provides excellent surfing conditions, especially for beginners. Then, explore Bolinas Lagoon Preserve to see one of the few remaining untouched estuaries on the West Coast, home to wildlife such as herons, egrets, and harbor seals that continue to thrive in their natural environment. For more beach fun, check out Duxbury Reef at Agate Beach County Park, known for its excellent tide pooling.

As you explore town, take a moment to notice the vibrant colors and bold designs of the buildings that seem unique to this place. Stop at local shops like Bolinas Hardware for everything from home goods to their on-site surf shop, and visit Bolinas People’s Store, a boutique market offering chai lattes, tamales, and fresh local produce. For a truly historic stay, check into Smiley’s Saloon to experience one of the West’s oldest continually operating bars, and stay at a boutique hotel just steps from the beach.

Lincoln City, Oregon

Have you heard of float fairies? If not, you might not have visited Lincoln City yet. The city features tiny, locally-made glass art floats scattered along its seven miles of oceanfront beaches every day. Visitors are invited to search for these hidden treasures. If this float hunting sparks your interest, explore galleries such as Alder House, Thornmeadow Glassworks, and Lincoln City Glass Center for even more stunning works by local artists, including some who craft the floats.

For more natural beauty, wander over to Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area for 685 acres of calm waters ideal for boating, paddling, and fishing, and head to Roads End State Recreation Site for some of Oregon’s prettiest tide pools. After you complete all your adventures for the day, spend the night at a lovely beachfront hotel like the Pelican Shores Inn or The Coho Oceanfront Lodge.

Cambria, California

Arriving in Cambria often feels like stepping into a fairy tale, and that usually happens before you reach the castle up the road! Nestled on California's Central Coast, Cambria looks like a dream come true as soon as you make your way to Moonstone Beach, the town’s main beach that’s complete with a boardwalk, tide pools, a sandy beach area for easy strolling, and even some good waves for surfing. For even more adventures, head to Fiscalini Ranch Preserve for dramatically scenic coastal bluffs rising as high as 200 feet above the beach, as well as one of the world’s last remaining native Monterey pine forests and a refuge for some 430 bird species and over 150 native plants.

When you really want to escape it all, visit Hearst San Simeon State Park for vast riparian habitats, untouched coastal forests, and an elephant seal rookery. While driving along Pacific Coast Highway, make sure to stop at Hearst Castle, the unique grand estate designed by legendary architect Julia Morgan for publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst, built from 1919 to 1947. Although you can’t stay overnight at the castle, just drive back to town to enjoy your retreat to White Water Cambria, right by Moonstone Beach, or stay at El Colibri Hotel & Spa for a Tuscan-inspired getaway near the beach and central village.

These Towns May Be Eccentric, But They’re Also Excellent Destinations

These beach towns may be seven of the most eccentric towns on the Pacific Coast, but they’re also wonderful destinations worth exploring and enjoying. From the rich and inspiring Indigenous culture and heritage of Neah Bay to the uniquely artistic flair of Lincoln City, you’ll quickly see that there’s much more in store beyond the shore. And down in Solana Beach, you can even spot new and upcoming trends in fashion and home design. However you prefer doing things, the Pacific Coast abounds in eccentric energy that’s also very warm and welcoming.