Islands & Beaches
The 10 Best West Coast Beach Towns
From surfing spots in California to the moody coastlines of the Pacific Northwest.
It’s not hard to find gorgeous West Coast beach towns. After all, the left coast has some of the most diverse landscapes in the entire United States, ranging from deserts to rainforests. But when it comes to beaches in particular, you’ll find that the stretches of sand along the Pacific Ocean are consistently incredible—as are the towns directly adjacent to them.
Whether you prefer traditional surfing beaches or foggy hamlets made for contemplative morning walks, there’s a little stretch of Pacific coastline waiting for you. Here, we’ve rounded up the best West Coast beach towns, with some recommendations for what to do during your visit (aside from swimming and sunbathing, of course).