8 Of The Most Captivating Small Towns on the Pacific Coast
The United States’ Pacific Coast abounds in captivatingly beautiful small towns that must be seen and experienced to be believed. In one town, it is possible to dive into a treasure trove of Indigenous history and culture. In another, you can stroll the beach by a historic shipwreck where the mighty Columbia River meets the sea. Farther south, there is a special village where you can savor fine wines in a redwood forest perched above the coast. And yes, there is even one town made famous by reality TV whose actual reality is far more artistically beautiful than you might realize.
From the cool corners of the Salish Sea to the sun-kissed shores of Southern California, uncover eight of the most captivating small towns along the Pacific Coast.
Neah Bay, Washington
Perched at the northwesternmost corner of the Olympic Peninsula (and the continental United States), the Washington town of Neah Bay is a wonderful place to dive into the rich Indigenous culture and magnificent natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Begin your journey at the Makah Cultural & Research Center, home of the highly acclaimed Makah Museum that preserves centuries-old artifacts from pre-colonization Indigenous settlements and cutting-edge efforts to preserve the Makah language and culture. While in town, it is also a good idea to stop at Calvin's Crab House for freshly caught local seafood and a tasty assortment of baked goods.
From there, take a field trip out to Cape Flattery to walk the oceanfront trail leading to the northwesternmost point of the contiguous US, which offers phenomenal opportunities to spot gray whales and sea lions in the Pacific Ocean below. Meanwhile, if you want to touch the ocean, drive down to Hobuck Beach for the region’s best surf breaks for surfing and swimming, and check out Shi Shi Beach for an incredibly beautiful spot where the rainforest meets the sea. And if you seek some more quality time at the beach, try a stay at the Hobuck Beach Resort, an Indigenous-owned business that offers cabins, RV parking spaces, and tent sites.
Seabrook, Washington
Located around 139 miles southwest of Seattle, Seabrook is a quaint seaside village that offers plenty of respite from big-city hustle and bustle. In town, you are never more than a pleasant walk or bike ride away from Seabrook Beach, a wide and clean expanse of sand with a consistent churn of roaring waves. For even more beaches to explore and enjoy, head south to Roosevelt Beach for prime whale watching and clam digging, and go north to Pacific Beach State Park to try surf fishing and shellfishing.
When you are in the mood for something more whimsical, hit the Gnome Trail to wander into the rainforest and find the gnome houses where locals say that “magical gnomes and fairy creatures” reside. (Seriously, this is a great activity to do with kids!)
Warrenton, Oregon
Only about 95 miles northwest of Portland, Warrenton is the town where the Columbia River meets the sea. Stop at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park to experience the coastal forest and wetlands as they existed in the early 19th century, and tour a replica of the Fort Clatsop established at the tail end of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. Then, head over to Fort Stevens State Park to view the remains of the military fort that guarded the mouth of the Columbia River from the Civil War to World War II. In addition, this park has a long stretch of oceanfront beaches, including one where you can examine the remains of the British Peter Iredale cargo ship that crashed ashore in 1906.
Once it is time to refresh and refuel, try South Jetty Dining Room & Bar, a cozy and friendly local pub and seafood restaurant. From there, pop over to the South Jetty Inn, a clean, safe, and welcoming place to stay in town.
Lincoln City, Oregon
Oregon has quite a few dazzling towns lining its coast, yet none shines quite as bright as Lincoln City, about 58 miles west of Salem. At Lincoln City Beach, you will find a nice stretch of shore for beachcombing and tidepooling, and you can even go on a treasure hunt to find glass floats made by local artists. If you are curious to learn more about Lincoln City’s love for glass art, head inland to Volta Glass Gallery to peruse their selection of fine works by local artists, then cross the street and visit Lincoln City Glass Center to meet a professional glassblower and try your hand at making glass art!
Should you feel the urge to take a walk on the wild side, head south to Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a stunningly beautiful wetlands preserve that is ideal for year-round wildlife watching, including green-winged teals and mallards during fall, and Pacific loons, red-necked grebes, and gray whales during winter. When you are ready to claim your own refuge, check into the Lincoln Sands Oceanfront Resort for maximum convenience and comfort in town.
Jenner, California
At first glance, Jenner may seem like a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. But once you explore this special slice of the Sonoma Coast, roughly 121 miles west of Sacramento, you will realize why this California town is so captivating. At Jenner Beach, you can enjoy a driftwood-adorned stretch of sand where the Russian River flows into the Pacific Ocean. On the other side of the Russian River, Sonoma Coast State Park includes the incredibly beautiful Goat Rock Beach that is perfect for spotting sea stacks, harbor seals, sandpipers, and even migrating whales (from December to April). You can also drive north to Fort Ross State Historic Park for a pristine corner of coastline for surfing, diving, and tidepooling, plus you can explore the remains of a short-lived Russian colonial settlement that was established in 1812.
Though Jenner feels far removed from most of Sonoma County’s world-famous wineries, it is possible to explore the local scene (with a designated driver) on this wild and wonderful coastal side of wine country. More specifically, it is worth the scenic drive to Fort Ross Vineyard to taste their estate-farmed wines and try a pairing with fine chef-prepared cuisine. Back in town, River’s End Restaurant and Inn is another great establishment to feast on delectable local fare, and they have their own collection of vintage cabins where you can spend the night (or a few).
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Tucked into the south end of the Monterey Peninsula, around 120 miles south of San Francisco, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a sophisticated seaside village with quite the artistic flair. Mosey over to Edi Matsumoto Art & Design to view her highly acclaimed paintings and unique wearable art, and check out Aaron Chang Ocean Art Gallery for his eye-catching nature photography. If you are seeking some inspiration to create your own art, try the lovely shores of Carmel Beach. (In addition, this is a great beach for surfing and simple beachcombing.)
Just to the south of town, Carmel River State Beach is a designated bird sanctuary that is ideal for spotting waterfowl and songbirds, and the beach itself may be one of the region’s best beaches for scuba diving and snorkeling. To cap off your Carmel coastal experience, book a stay at L’Auberge Carmel, a vintage 1929 property that is now an award-winning Relais & Châteaux hotel with the equally celebrated Aubergine restaurant.
Montecito, California
Just to the east of Santa Barbara, discover a refined California Central Coast resort town that draws a boatload of A-List celebrities to its shores with unparalleled beauty and style. Perhaps, you might spot a star or two while exploring Coast Village Road. But even if you don’t, it is worth the trek to Montecito’s main street to shop for unique and wearable souvenirs at Whiskey and Leather, and to enjoy a snazzy lunch or dinner at The Honor Bar. For an even more majestic Montecito experience, drive up to Lotusland to tour an estate that was originally built in the 1880s, then reimagined in the 20th century into an expansive botanical garden with over 300 species of cacti.
No Montecito trip feels complete without visiting the beach. Fortunately, Butterfly Beach is a spectacularly scenic beach that is great for swimming, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and simple sunbathing. And for plenty more quality time by the ocean, stay at the legendary Rosewood Miramar Beach, an elite five-star resort that will make you feel right at home with its exceptional service and lavish rooms and suites.
Laguna Beach, California
Roughly two decades ago, shows like MTV’s Laguna Beach and Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County made this town a budding star of the reality TV scene. But once you make the journey about 60 miles south of Los Angeles, you will realize there is much more to Laguna Beach behind the scenes. For one, you can experience real art and culture at Laguna Art Museum, one of Orange County’s oldest museums that features a wide array of works by California artists. Just across Pacific Coast Highway from the museum lies Laguna’s Gallery Row, and galleries like Sue Greenwood Fine Art and Lu Martin Galleries are perfect for perusing works by local and regional artists.
Just steps away from the museum and Gallery Row is Heisler Park, which may be Southern California’s best collection of beaches to go tidepooling, diving, and snorkeling. But then again, Treasure Island Beach to the south is another phenomenal beach with crystal-clear ocean water and a beautiful grassy park area atop the bluff. Even better, this is also where you will find the Montage Laguna Beach, Orange County’s premier luxury resort with world-class dining, the soothing Spa Montage, the stunning Mosaic Pool, and an elevated selection of rooms, suites, and residences to add the perfect finishing touch to your Laguna getaway.
For the Perfect Pacific Coast Trip, Try One of These Captivating Towns
There is no shortage of exceptional destinations up and down the Pacific Coast, yet these towns may be the most captivating, thanks to their unique qualities. Neah Bay is the ideal town to experience the best Pacific Northwest scenery and rich Indigenous culture. Lincoln City is great for dazzling glass art and equally stunning wildlife viewing. Jenner seamlessly combines fascinating history, ruggedly gorgeous beaches, and even fine Sonoma wines. And for a vibrant fine art scene alongside inspiringly beautiful beaches, it is hard to beat Laguna Beach. These captivating small towns really do showcase the best that the West Coast has to offer, making these towns such wonderful places to visit.
