7 Offbeat Pacific Coast Towns To Visit In 2025
The Pacific Coast's endless wild beaches, imposing dunes, verdant mountains, and rhythmic, albeit capricious, waves set the stage for all sorts of magnetic communities. Shaped by such incomparable natural beauty and fueled by the resource and tourism economies that followed suit, a certain off-beat personality has consistently taken hold along the West Coast of the United States. Take a tour of seven small towns whose cultures add dashes of colorful accents across the soothing scenery.
Coos Bay, Oregon
This working-class port and timber town marries protected natural landscapes, community zest, and a bit of grit. Beginning from the highwayside tourist center, you can take a stroll along the Coos Bay Boardwalk, marveling at the museum of tugboats or dining on fresh seafood en route, check out the oddities of the North-South thoroughfare (including a recycled plastic jellyfish statue and the excessively decorated Egyptian Theatre), or take in the commercial highlights of the core westward drags (i.e. Central and Anderson).
For a dose of the Pacific Ocean in all its glory, take the Cape Arago Highway a few minutes out of town and choose from the four neighboring state parks: Yoakam Point, Sunset Bay, Shore Acres, and Cape Arago, or just visit all four!
Reedsport, Oregon
This quaint and quirky town sits ever-so-slightly inland, on the snaking Umpqua River. But what makes Reedsport a gem of the Pacific is its position in the heart of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the continent's greatest stretch of coastal sand dunes. This 31,500-acre playground inspired Frank Herbert to write his epic sci-fi series, Dune, and is ideal for quad-busting hikes (free from the fear of giant carnivorous worms!) or for ripping around in an off-highway vehicle.
When said adventures are satiated, enjoy some of Reedsport's quieter intrigues. Its main drag (i.e., Umpqua/Fir Ave) is lined with wood carvings (products of the Annual Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championships), all trying to live up to the standard set by Chief Lelooska, who carved the 30-foot totem pole standing outside the Umpqua Discovery Center.
Gold Beach, Oregon
Driving the Oregon Coast Highway presents a welcome problem, for every few miles, there is another spectacular pullout revealing big beaches and photogenic rock formations. I say problem, because if you are due to arrive somewhere specific come day's end, then you can't exactly indulge every whim. However, if you are on a flexible schedule, then a place like Gold Beach is a perfect spot to drift aimlessly for a while.
Start by grabbing some java from Kissing Rock Coffee (they might even hook you up with a free sticker) and take it up the road to the formation after which the shop took its name. This enigmatic boulder is a classic young-love makeout spot, but also marks the entrance to South Beach, a stunning and uncrowded sandy sanctuary as far as the eye can see. Alternatively, thanks to its position on not only the Pacific, but the mighty Rogue River, anglers and jet skiers/boaters are at home in Gold Beach.
Crescent City, California
The first major stop along California's portion of the Pacific Coast is Crescent City, a casual stopover with standout attractions. Follow the foghorn out to the tip of the extensive pier for views of the harbor and uninterrupted ocean, and then (if the tide is low), make for the Battery Point Lighthouse and Museum for a glimpse into 1850s coastal life. On the other side of Beachfront Park, SeaQuake Brewing always has a lively patio (and spacious interior if the weather turns).
On the far side of the harbor, families might be drawn to the aquariums of Ocean World, and everyone will love the extensive Crescent Beach. Finally, Crescent City enjoys a triangle of state parks, mere minutes from downtown: Tolowa Dunes, Jedediah Smith Redwoods, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods, which leads you right into the next stop.
Klamath, California
The community of Klamath is steeped in natural beauty and Indigenous tradition (now more accessible than ever thanks to the recent addition of the Yurok Country Visitor Center). From this confluence of the namesake river and the Pacific Ocean, several exceptional units of the Redwood National and State Parks can be accessed.
But for a more offbeat, perspective-shifting exploration of the world's tallest trees (and a host of other novelties), aim for Trees of Mystery on the north side of town, just look for the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues! This nature-based theme park highlights the old-growth redwoods from all angles. There are interpretive trails below, an extensive system of suspension bridges and platforms perched 50 to 100 feet above the forest floor, and a canopy-eclipsing gondola for good measure.
Shelter Cove, California
If you don't mind the break-busting drive over the King Range, Shelter Cove is one of the premier off-beat spots along the Pacific Coast. Pinched between the forest-blanketed mountains and dramatic shorelines of the Lost Coast, and punctuated by a handful of spirited businesses, Shelter Cove is a one-of-a-kind community.
Play a bit of golf while propeller planes come and go around you, hike out to the aptly-named Black Sand Beaches, get cozy above the crashing waves at Surf Point Coffee House, catch some live music at Gyppo Ale Mill, or relax with the locals atop the scenic bluff patio at Mario's Marina Bar. And when you hear the seals and sea lions arguing, make for the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse to investigate further.
Santa Cruz, California
Central California's coastal enclave of Santa Cruz, aka "Surf City," also has a bit of an edge to it, but similar to Coos Bay, that is simply part of its off-beat charm. You may have heard that in December of last year, a rogue wave knocked out part of the beloved Municipal Wharf. Thankfully, it has predominantly reopened (the very end is under construction, so definitely head out there to patronize the brewery/eateries, cast a line, and say hello to the barking sea lions who take refuge on the pier's crossbeams.
From here, you will be able to see/hear the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, complete with roller coasters, carnival/arcade games, and all the cheat foods you could ever want. Cap things off with some splurging on and around Pacific Ave, the heart of Santa Cruz's artsy, eccentric, and historic downtown.
Queue up your best sunny California tuneage and Oregonian forest folk jams for it's time for one heck of a road trip. This redwood and sand dune-ladened portion of the Pacific Coast is more than a cache of ancient scenery; it hosts several intriguing off-beat communities, these seven being some of the standouts.
