Most Idyllic Small Towns on the Pacific Coast

Let the ocean air melt your worries away in these beautiful small towns dotting the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.

The Pacific Coast boasts cities like Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. But while these are amazing destinations, the coast also has some incredible small towns worth visiting. You’ll find less crowded beaches, charming architecture and chill vibes.

To help you decide from (literally) hundreds of cute small towns in California, Oregon and Washington, we came up with the 10 best Pacific Coast destinations with fewer than 10,000 residents. Listed from largest to smallest, these must-visit destinations all have access to the water as well as several other interesting natural and cultural attractions.

Florence, Oregon

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Population: 9,396

Located about an hour west of Eugene, Florence is a small town that gives visitors access to both the Siuslaw River and the Pacific Ocean. Water-based fun rules daily life here, with residents heading out to Baker Beach or kayaking on the river.

If you want activities out of the water, you can change things up with a visit to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Fort Bragg, California

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Population: 6,983

Most people come to Fort Bragg to see its extraordinary sea-glass beach. Once used as a dumping ground for glass bottles, this unique beach now touts a treasure trove of smooth, shiny pebbles of all colors, thanks to the Pacific Ocean’s powerful waves that transformed the trash over time.

Set along the Mendocino Coast, Fort Bragg is also close to Mendocino National Forest, so you can easily enjoy both the beach and the woods in a single trip.

Ocean Shores, Washington

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Population: 6,715

If you don’t mind cold water (or even prefer it), head to Ocean Shores for a nice summer vacation. You’ll find sandy beaches on the Pacific Ocean but will also have access to the calmer waters of North Bay.

If you visit at the right time, you may get lucky enough to see gray whales near North Jetty.

Cambria, California

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Population: 5,678

Located in San Luis Obispo county, Cambria looks straight out of a storybook. The artsy downtown area is lined with historic houses now turned into boutique shops, art galleries and quirky restaurants.

Visitors and locals love heading to Piedras Blancas to watch elephant seals and to see its lighthouse. You should also plan to visit the impressive Hearst Castle that put this town on the map. And don’t even think about leaving without trying the city’s famed olallieberry pie.

Friday Harbor, Washington

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Population: 2,613

Named after a Hawaiian shepherd that once guided a vessel to safety (yes, his name was Friday), this town is one of the major centers of San Juan Island.

Though you won’t get much in terms of beaches, you will have access to water activities as well as other fun things to do, such as visiting the Whale Museum and the San Juan Islands Museum of Art. And if you ever get bored, you can simply hop on a ferry to nearby Vancouver Island in Canada.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

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Population: 1,489

You can’t have a list of amazing Pacific Coast towns without including Cannon Beach. Made famous for the giant rocks that rise out of the water, this beach is unlike almost anywhere else on Earth.

Yes, the water is cold, but the scenery is so enticing that you’ll want to have a beach vacation here even in the winter. Splurge for waterfront accommodations, and taste local beer at the iconic Pelican Brewing beach bar.

Big Sur, California

Big Sur sunset seascape of California coastline

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Population: 1,474

Another can’t-miss Pacific destination is Big Sur. While it’s not an official town per se, the entire region deserves to be included here because of its powerfully rugged beauty. You can drive along the famous Highway 1, stopping at villages along it. Or, if you want to experience this destination at its best, book a campground on the coast.

Along the way, you’ll find several beaches worth stopping at as well as hikable forests, hot springs and waterfalls.

Port Orford, Oregon

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Population: 1,146

If you’re looking to get away from it all, few places are as magical as Port Orford. Few people have even heard of this tiny town, whose population doesn’t even reach 1,150. Here, you won’t find strip malls or fast-food chains (thankfully) — heck, you won’t even find stoplights!

Instead, you can let the sea breeze blow away your worries as you lay on a sandy beach surrounded by rocky hills.

Ilwaco, Washington

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Population: 1,087

Straddling the state border with Oregon, Ilwaco has access to the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River and Willapa Bay. A former salmon-canning town, this destination continues to draw in fishing aficionados.

Anyone who loves the outdoors will also have plenty of things to do. The Cape Disappointment State Park does not live up to its name (thankfully). And you can also visit Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and Leadbetter Point State Park.

Bodega Bay, California

Bodega bay and Point Reyes at pacific coast

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Population: 912

Located about 1.5 hours north of San Francisco, Bodega Bay is famous for being the location of Hitchcock’s classic horror film, “The Birds.” Don’t worry, though — you won’t get attacked by murderous birds here. Instead, you’ll enjoy small-town life, fresh seafood and pretty beaches.

Locals here are notoriously friendly, and migrating whales stop here at certain times of the year. All in all, it doesn’t get better than Bodega Bay.

For more tranquil small towns by the water, check out “30 Best Small Beach Towns in the U.S.”