7 Of The Friendliest Towns In The Pacific Coast
Pacific Coast towns are often known for their friendliness, thanks to the many visitors they attract each year for unique festivals and unrivaled outdoor access. Travelers gravitate toward the historic flavor of Astoria and the family-friendly atmosphere of Avila Beach, among other places, as they explore this stretch of coast.
Pacific Coast towns are proud of their communities and want to share that community spirit with anyone passing through. Plan your trip to these friendly Pacific Coast towns soon.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a charming coastal town just across the Columbia River from Washington state. In fact, anyone traveling southward down the Pacific Coast will likely cross into Oregon at Astoria via the four-mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge. Thanks to its location, the town is well accustomed to receiving visitors and makes a point of welcoming them. The town hosts various events each year, such as the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, inviting visitors to come experience the town and immerse themselves in the local culture.
As the oldest city in Oregon and the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, Astoria has a lot of history. Visitors can take a peek into the past by strolling through neighborhoods of Victorian-era houses, visiting the town’s various museums, or stopping in at the Astoria Column, a monument to the region’s first settlers.
Avila Beach, California
Avila Beach is located on the shores of San Luis Obispo Bay, halfway between Santa Barbara and Monterey. The town features a family-friendly beach complete with picnic tables, fire pits, and barbecue grills, making it a good spot for cookouts and get-togethers. From the beach, a pier leads out into the bay, where visitors can watch seabirds or look for whales.
Though Avila Beach is a small community of under 2,000 people, it offers plenty of activities. The Central Coast Aquarium lets visitors get up close with local marine life. Avila Hot Springs is a resort-like attraction featuring natural mineral hot spring pools, heated freshwater swimming pools, camping, and massage therapy. The Avila Beach Surf School offers surfing lessons for anyone aged six and up who wants to get in the water and explore the bay.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach is an oceanside town on the northern Oregon coast, just over half an hour south of Astoria. It is best known for Haystack Rock, a monolithic basalt sea stack jutting 235 feet above the water. There are many opportunities to hike and bike around Cannon Beach, making it easy to explore the scenic beaches and local wildlife. Several walking tours are available throughout the town, some of which are nature-focused, while others showcase the local art scene through gallery and public art exploration.
The town offers several yearly events and festivals to draw visitors and bring people together. The annual Sandcastle Contest has been going strong since 1964 and is popular with both tourists and locals. The Fat Bike Festival features beach bike tours, seaside parties, and good food. The Stormy Weather Art Festival in November offers opportunities to view local art displays, attend concerts and wine tastings, and join workshops and artist receptions.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a tiny, one-square-mile village located just south of Monterey on Carmel Bay. It is a small town with strong architecture, from the cute cottages that line the streets to the impressive Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo on the south side of town. The iconic white sand beach, Carmel Beach, brings visitors and locals together to hike, surf, and enjoy seaside campfires.
The town hosts dozens of events ranging from farmers’ markets and sandcastle contests to art walks and festivals. The annual Culinary Week is a celebration of food and wine, featuring events at various venues throughout town. The Carmel International Film Festival, founded in 2008, is a popular fall attraction.
Fort Bragg, California
Fort Bragg is a friendly coastal town located just north of Highway 20 on Highway 1 in Mendocino County. Rich in history, it still contains several horse-and-buggy hitching posts around town, and two of the power poles are made of redwood logs left over from the town’s logging days. Fort Bragg welcomes visitors exploring the California coast and draws people to the area through various events. The Fort Bragg Blues Fest brings blues lovers together for three days of music and food. Art in the Gardens is a two-day event at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens that combines art, coastal scenery, and summer blooms. Paul Bunyan Days over Labor Day Weekend offers a family-friendly environment with activities like trike races, logging shows, and a kids’ parade.
While in town, consider visiting Glass Beach, a popular spot where visitors search for sea glass, smoothed pieces from old bottles and glass fragments that look like jewels among the gray rocks. Take a ride on the Skunk Train for a scenic jaunt through nearby redwood forests.
Ocean Shores, Washington
Ocean Shores is a small town sandwiched between Grays Harbor North Bay and the Pacific Ocean on the central Washington coast. Though a little off the beaten path, the town greets visitors with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and plenty of fun activities and attractions. Several beaches, such as the one at Chance a la Mer, provide access to the water where visitors can swim and take in the scenery. Pacific Paradise is also a family fun center providing entertainment with arcade games, bumper boats, and mini golf.
The Sand and Sawdust Festival provides a space for sand sculptors, both masters and hobbyists, to compete in challenges and learn more about the art. The Festival of Colors fills the summer sky with kites as people flock to the beach to fly them together. And the Ocean Shores Razor Clam and Seafood Festival is a celebration of all things seafood, complete with a clam chowder competition and plenty of fresh crab, clams, oysters, and fish.
Westport, Washington
Westport is an often-overlooked town between the Pacific Ocean and the South Bay, but it’s a beautiful place with a lot to offer. Westport Light State Park sits just outside downtown, with strong hiking, fishing, and picnicking. Grays Harbor Lighthouse, the tallest in the state, sits at the edge of town. The Westport Jetty and the Half Moon Bay beach offer scenic water access for visitors to surf, comb the beach, or watch for wildlife.
The friendly town welcomes families and pets with many sights, activities, and events. Watch the dramatic King Tides from the Westport Viewing Tower, which provides 360-degree views of the bay, the ocean, and the downtown area. Take part in the Annual Pirate Daze to shop, eat, dance, and dress up as a pirate. And cap off your summer trip by enjoying the Booming Bay Fireworks Display on the Fourth of July at the Westport Marina.
Explore Friendly Coastal Towns
The Pacific Coast provides some of the best scenery in the country, with gentle sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, and adorable seaside towns. Many of the coastal towns in this area are known for their hospitality and friendliness. Whether heading to Carmel-by-the-Sea with its strong architecture or Cannon Beach with its beachfront marvels, visitors will find activities and festivals that help them connect with the locals and enjoy a good time with friends and family.
