12 Best Pacific Northwest Beach Towns for a Summer Coastal Getaway

Pacific Northwest beach towns are generally known for their dramatic scenery, often characterized by evergreen forests, dramatic sea stacks, and gnarled driftwood. At the southern edge of the region, you’ll find more of the quintessential surfing spots, but the farther north you are, the wilder it gets. You can hike through moss-draped old-growth rainforests that open to sweeping stands, go tide-pooling to look for colorful marine creatures, and dine on fresh-caught Dungeness crab.

Starting from Northern California, we’ll make our way to Oregon, Washington, and Alaska to reveal the very best beach towns in the PNW for summer.

The Pacific Northwest coastal forests stretch all the way down through the Santa Cruz Mountains. While the town of Santa Cruz itself is officially part of the Central Coast, most consider it to be the southernmost point of Northern California. As a quintessential beach town, it’s one of the most popular destinations for a summer escape, famously drawing surfers from across the globe. Head to Steamer Lame along oceanfront West Cliff Drive to watch them ride the waves. 

The iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk also attracts many. It offers thrill rides like the historic wooden Giant Dipper roller coaster, rides for the little ones, carnival-style games, a huge arcade, shops, and eateries. On Friday nights throughout the season, free live concerts are hosted here too. Just a short walk away, the Santa Cruz Wharf offers ocean-view dining and stellar wildlife watching, including the dozens of sea lions that hang out on the rafters below. 

Half Moon Bay is about an hour north of Santa Cruz and 30 miles south of San Francisco. It’s also renowned for surfing, most notably at nearby Mavericks, which sees extreme winter swells. Half Moon Bay State Beach offers four miles of continuous wide sandy beach. Sunbathing, swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing are all popular here, and it’s also possible to spend the night with campsites available. Head to Pillar Point Harbor to rent watercraft like SUPs, take a fishing charter, or go on a whale watching tour.

Beyond the beach, Half Moon Bay is an art community with numerous local artist-run galleries, grassroots co-ops, and cultural events, including First Fridays: Art on Main for an evening of gallery hopping and live music. Dining and drinking options include everything from cold brews at the Half Moon Bay Brewery to fresh seafood at Sam’s Chowder House.

The tiny village of Bodega Bay may best be known as the filming site for Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” but it’s also home to Bodega Dunes with the longest continuous sandy beach in Sonoma County, backed by vast dunes. Across the harbor, Doran Park Beach offers two miles of shoreline, popular for beachcombing, flying kites, building sandcastles, and surf fishing. For breathtaking coastal views, hike the easy 1.8-mile Bodega Head trail loop that winds atop the cliffs, perfect for whale watching.

Golf enthusiasts can play a round at The Links at Bodega Harbor, an authentic Scottish-style course with spectacular ocean views. When it’s time to dine, restaurants here often focus on fresh-caught seafood, best complemented by regional wines. 

Ideal for a beach getaway with the whole family, Fort Bragg is home to famous Glass Beach, where people of all ages come to search for sea glass in colors that range from green, blue, pink, and orange to rare red pieces. Just north, MacKerricher State Park has a boardwalk leading to sandy coves where seals are often spotted lounging on the rocks. For more fantastic photo ops, Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is just south of town. A feast for the eyes, it showcases a stunning array of flora and includes a half-mile trail leading to the coastal bluffs. 

Over at Noyo Harbor, visitors can join a whale-watching boat tour, a deep-sea fishing charter, rent kayaks for independent paddling, or take guided nature and sea cave excursions. Some of the best restaurants are here for dockside dining on fresh fish.

Just over 80 miles north of the California stateline, Bandon offers miles of beautifully rugged beaches with towering sea stacks that rise just offshore. It’s the perfect beach town for those seeking stunning, wild scenery without the crowds. Find your own spot among the soft sands for quiet contemplation at places like the Bandon State Natural Area and visit the unique “Circles in the Sand” at Face Rock Wayside, which aim to share love, joy, and kindness. If you want to mix beach time with golf, Bandon is celebrated worldwide for the sport. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort is considered a “pilgrimage” destination with traditional Scottish links. 

In Old Town Bandon, shop for items made by local artisans and delve into the food scene, with many local eateries serving the region’s fresh catch, from Dungeness crab to salmon and oysters. Afterward, sample the town’s famous cranberry treats.

Newport is one of the top beach destinations in Oregon, with scenic coastal beauty and plenty to do in town. Nye Beach boasts seven miles of wide, sandy shoreline and rolling dunes, popular for strolling, beachcombing, and whale watching. It stretches all the way from Yaquina Bay to Yaquina Head, the second-oldest and tallest lighthouse in the state, built in 1872. Below is Cobble Beach, ideal for tidepooling. 

The Oregon Coast Aquarium is also located in Newport. If it sounds familiar, that’s probably because it’s the former residence of Keiko, the orca star of the popular film “Free Willy” that eventually gained his own freedom.

Often listed among top honeymoon destinations, Cannon Beach attracts many romance-seekers, but it’s ideal for beachgoers of all types. The name of the town and the main beach that spans two miles from Ecola Creek in the downtown area to Tolovana Park, it’s defined by the 235-foot-tall Haystack Rock. At low tide, there are tide pools at its base for exploring marine life like starfish, sea urchins, and hermit crabs. Visit in June or July to watch the tufted puffins that breed and nest here. Early June is also when one of the town’s most popular events takes place: the Cannon Beach Sandcastle Contest.

Just under nine miles north, not far from the Oregon/Washington border, Seaside tends to draw more families than honeymooners with attractions for all ages. It has nearly three miles of soft sands, extending north from the base of Tillamook Head to the Necanicum River, while a 1.5-mile paved promenade runs alongside it. The Seaside Aquarium, where visitors can feed entertaining harbor seals, is just off the promenade. Steps away are a wide range of shops, eateries, and even an arcade.

The beach itself offers the usual activities like barefoot walks, sandcastle-building, and flying kites. At low tide, it’s a great spot for finding sanddollars. Expert surfers ride the powerful waves, but you can always dip your toes in the water.  

Crossing the Astoria-Megler Bridge, North America’s longest continuous truss bridge, you’ll find yourself in Washington. Long Beach is just 15 miles away, home to the self-proclaimed “World’s Longest Beach” as a 30-mile stretch of wide, soft sands. Stop at one of the shops in town and rent a three-wheeler for fun rides on the beach or enjoy the usual activities like sandcastle building, fishing, and clam-digging. Kite flying is especially popular here. In August, it hosts the annual Washington State International Kite Festival that brings kite-fliers from across the globe. 

In the downtown area, you’ll find the World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame. There are also various amusements, like carnival-style games, bumper cars, and a carousel. 

Another one of the top coastal destinations in the PNW, Ocean Shores is rare in that it’s one of the few places you can legally drive your vehicle directly on the sand. Located on a six-mile-long peninsula about two hours north of Long Beach, visitors enjoy beachcombing for agates, seasonal razor clam digging, horseback riding along the surf, and flying kites, with the wide-open, flat shoreline and coastal winds ideal for the activity.

For calm water activities, you might rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak to explore the massive network of canals. Along the banks, spot everything from bald eagles and blue herons to river otters. In the downtown area, you’ll find entertainment hubs with activities like bumper boats and mini-golf. In between, there are all sorts of quirky shops and old-school candy stores.

Located at the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend often finds itself on best-of lists like Budget Travel’s Coolest Small Towns. Surrounded by mountains and water, the downtown area is lined with grand Victorian homes and buildings that house unique boutiques, trendy coffee shops, pubs, restaurants, and museums. 

Small beaches are steps away from Water Street (the main thoroughfare), while Fort Worden State Park is a short drive away with sandy beaches, historic sites, museums, and outfitters that rent kayaks for exploring Port Townsend Bay. Head to North Beach Park and walk westward to discover Glass Beach, where locals come to hunt for colorful pieces of sea glass. 

It’s going to take more than a road trip to reach Homer. The trek involves an epic combination of scenic drives, ferries, or flying. But it’s worth the journey, as it may be Alaska’s very best beach town. In fact, if it were feasible, I’d move there in a heartbeat. Essentially one large coastal destination, it’s famous for its dramatic tides, mountain views, and marine life. The most iconic beach is the famous Homer Spit, a 4.5-mile strip of land that juts into Kachemak Bay. It’s a great spot for beachcombing, fishing, and watching wildlife, including sea otters, bald eagles, and occasionally orcas. You’ll find shops and seafood restaurants serving the town’s famous halibut along with ocean-view accommodation. 

Just a short walk from downtown and the historic Old Town district is Bishop’s Beach. It’s Homer’s most accessible and popular sandy shoreline, with tidepools to explore at low tide and a perfect vantage point for watching stunning sunsets over the peaks and glaciers across Kachemak Bay.