9 Best Beach Towns for a Fall Foliage Coastal Trip

Just because the temperatures are dipping and the leaves are turning doesn’t mean you have to give up on your beach vacation dreams. There are plenty of destinations around the United States where you can soak up the sun in the morning (though you may admittedly not want to get into the water just yet) and then take in the blazing colors of the area’s fall foliage in the afternoon. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to visit a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch to enjoy the full fall aesthetic.

Here are some of the best beach towns for fall foliage-adjacent coastal trips.

Cape Cod can get extremely busy during the summer months. You’re surrounded by crowds both on the beach and on the highways. However, starting in early September, those crowds begin to wane, and you’ll find yourself with more space and breathing room as the season progresses.

See the fall foliage in the Cape’s charming small towns and along easy hiking trails, with the colors peaking around mid- to late October. During an October visit, make sure to take in the cranberry harvest, too. You can even visit working bogs for guided tours.

As you’re enjoying all that fall fun, don’t neglect the beach. It’s still a great time to take in the scenery, especially the dramatic sand dunes, even if the water isn’t quite as welcoming in October. Keep your eyes peeled for migrating birds, too.

I love Bar Harbor any time of year. That said, I’ll admit that summer sun-seekers may find themselves spending more time on the hiking trails than they do on the beach. Bar Harbor is far from what I’d consider a typical Northeast beach town—you’re not going to find a boardwalk or long stretches of empty sand here.

In fall, though, this destination is an excellent pick. The weather is agreeable enough to spend plenty of time outside, and you can easily go on a hike or two through the gloriously colorful Acadia National Park. 

You also have plenty to do when you’re not outdoors. Explore the charming town of Bar Harbor dressed in your favorite fall sweater and scarf, pumpkin-spiced coffee in one hand and a fresh pastry in the other. Stop into Sherman’s and browse for your next read. Book a stay at one of the charming inns or B&Bs in town and cozy up next to a fire. Don’t miss a haunted ghost tour, either.

How could things get any more fall than this?

Well … OK, maybe things could get a little more “fall” when you visit Salem, Massachusetts. I must warn you, though: This is not a place you want to visit during the height of October.

Sure, everyone who’s ever thought about visiting Salem has thought, “Oh, I’ll go around Halloween, so I can really immerse myself in all the spooky goodness.”

No. Do not do it. Because everyone else who is at least a little bit like you (like me, for example) is having the same thought, which means this place is packed to the gills around Halloween. You’ll be standing in endless lines. You’ll be fighting crowds. You’ll be paying astronomical amounts of money for literally everything you do.

Instead, plan your fall visit to Salem for late September to mid-October. This will allow you to enjoy some foliage and all the fall fun of the city without running into the truly massive crowds.

Then, when you’re ready for those coastal views, you do have area beaches to explore. Try Winter Island/Waikiki Beach or Dead Horse Beach. If you’re willing to go a little farther afield and do some driving, you can even check out charming small beach towns to the north, like Rockport.

Newport, Rhode Island, is just about as beautiful a fall coastal destination as you could find. You’ve got peak foliage in mid-October and a rocky, scenic shoreline that you can view from land or sea.

Then there are the Gilded Age mansions, which really deck themselves out for the season, with some offering fall festivities and haunts before they go all in on Christmas, which is a different story.

The area’s farms, meanwhile, dish out all your typical fall favorites, like apple and pumpkin picking.

Add in fun festivities like the annual Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival, and you have a perfect fall oceanside getaway.

Don’t worry—I’m not going to spend this entire article regaling you with the charms of New England and the East Coast in autumn. There are plenty of other spots around the country where you can combine beautiful beaches and fantastic foliage.

Take, for example, one of my favorite West Coast beach destinations, Cannon Beach. Here, you can enjoy peak foliage in mid-October, contrasted against the dramatic coastline. The beach is a bit nippy, but still perfect for strolling and taking in the scenery.

In fact, this area of Oregon calls the season between October and May “Magic Season.” It’s that time of year when the scenery is absolutely gorgeous, but the crowds have thinned out enough that you don’t have to worry about high demand driving up room rates.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a coffee from one of the local cafes and stroll along the fog-covered beach.

Not all that far away, you’ll find Bellingham, Washington. North of Seattle and closer to the Canadian border and Vancouver, it’s not exactly on the Pacific Ocean, but instead sits along the coastal waterways that are so prominent in this part of the country.

Here, you’ll enjoy easy access to tons of outdoor adventures, perfect for taking in the fall colors. You’ve got hiking, mountain biking, Mount Baker, snowboarding, skiing, paddling, and more. Plus, this is a college town, so it has a certain youthful vibe, too. Breweries are plentiful as well.

If you take to the waterfront, you’re going to enjoy crisp autumn weather, beautiful foliage, and fewer crowds. Favorite places to enjoy the views include Larrabee State Park, Boulevard Park, Marine Park, and Teddy Bear Cove.

Sonoma County offers dozens of miles of Pacific coastline, allowing for both sandy escapes and jaw-dropping cliffside views. Inland, though, you’ve got changing trees and vineyards, all of which add to a colorful palette of greens, yellows, oranges, and golds.

Better yet, if you’ve already missed fall foliage season in your neck of the woods, you’ll be glad to know that leaf-peeping stretches into early November here, giving you a little extra wiggle room if you haven’t yet planned your trip.

Take a scenic drive, go hiking at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, or spend your time hopping between wineries.

Somewhat near Bellingham, Port Townsend is closer to Seattle, as well as Olympic National Park, which means you’re going to get some amazingly dramatic and breathtaking fall views if you’re willing to strap on your hiking boots and head out into the park itself.

That said, if you’re not really the outdoor-adventuring type, you do have other options. Glass Beach is a beachcomber favorite (you can probably guess why based on the name), and Fort Worden State Park’s beach is none too shabby, either.

You can also simply enjoy taking in the fall foliage during a stroll through town. Shop, explore the historic downtown district and Victorian seaport, and see why it’s a favorite fall destination.

Peak fall foliage arrives from mid-September through late October.

Back on the East Coast, consider a visit to Fire Island National Seashore in New York. After Labor Day, these protected lands serve up beautiful flashes of red foliage that will make you see exactly why the island got its name.

Hiking and backcountry camping are some of the best ways to take in the views. Fall is also an excellent time for bird-watching. In addition to migrating birds, monarch butterflies also migrate through the park in autumn. Hunting and fishing are options, too.

Just keep in mind that ferry service to the island is reduced during the fall months, and you’ll have a harder time finding services at local businesses in the area. Lifeguard protection also ends. Still, if you’re looking for a little seclusion to go along with your views, you can’t go wrong here.