5 towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

When crossing the Pacific Coast Highway, you will discover the most beautiful towns to visit on the West Coast, USA.

From California to Washington, or vice versa, if you want to have the Pacific on your right, the landscapes and the architecture become more beautiful.

It’s not hard to fall in love with this part of America and even want to win the lottery someday to be able to afford your dream home in one of the towns on the West Coast.

Just imagine it, perched on top of a hill in California, with a large oceanfront terrace.

PIN IT FOR LATER

The towns on the East Coast are also beautiful, nothing to say, but the western part of the United States reveals a dramatic relief, with all kinds of rocks, waterfalls that flow into the ocean, vast vineyards, and National Parks, with giant trees.

A west coast road trip is a must when visiting the US.

What I use every time I travel:

To book hotels: Booking.com
To book tours: GetYourGuide.com

5 towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

1. Santa Barbara, California – one of the most popular towns to visit on the West Coast of the United States

Located on the famous road that stretches along the West Coast, Pacific Coast Highway, and bordered by the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, we could conclude that Santa Barbara is one of the best summer destinations in the US.

It’s a paradise for both water and mountain lovers. The most popular beaches in Santa Barbara that you don’t want to miss are East Beach, West Beach, Leadbetter Beach, and Butterfly Beach.

Like many towns on the West Coast, Santa Barbara has a European vibe due to the Spanish colonizations that left their mark through the architecture.

The best example of this is the city’s first landmark, the Queen of the Missions, a Spanish Colonial-style church.

It was the inspiration for all the houses rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1925. Santa Barbara is also famous for the vineyards and top restaurants.

It’s one of the best places on the West Coast for tasting seafood dishes.

Therefore, you must include in your itinerary a tasting tour of the best wines and dishes.

Things to do in Santa Barbara:

go on a whale watching tour
visit the Museum of Natural History and the Art Museum
go shopping in Paseo Nuevo
walk among the boats in the port of Santa Barbara
visit Lotusland, one of the most beautiful gardens in the world
go hiking in Los Padres National Forest
take some surfing lessons

Where to stay in Santa Barbara:

Santa Barbare, California | 5 towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

2. San Clemente, California – one of the most picturesque towns to visit on the West Coast

As mentioned above, many towns on the West Coast have Spanish influences. One of them is San Clemente, which is also called the Spanish village by the sea.

That’s because it’s a tiny settlement, a charming town in Orange County, located halfway between two California metropolises: Los Angeles and San Diego.

San Clemente is set on hills, overlooking the foaming waves of the Pacific Ocean. It is also a popular place among surfers.

They usually prefer the beaches of Trestles, Calafia, Riviera, and Lasuens.

If you arrive in San Clemente, you have to walk on the San Clemente pier, especially at sunset. Add watching the sunset on your west coast bucket list.

California sunsets are some of the most spectacular you’d ever see.

And for those who like to move their bodies, I have another recommendation. San Clemente Coastal Trail is an ideal promenade for walking or cycling, with the sound of waves in the background.

The route is 2.3 miles long and is enough to tick the 10,000 daily steps.

Interweave the town’s history with beautiful views of the ocean in a short visit to the Romantic House Cultural Center and Gardens, a residence built in 1927 by the city’s founder, Ole Hanson.

And if you are looking for socializing, walk on Avenida Del Mar, a boulevard where you will find cafes, restaurants, bars, and many chic shops.

By the way, you must know that San Clemente is one of the most affordable beach towns west coast.

The conclusion? San Clemente is one of the best vacation spots on the West Coast.

Things to do in San Clemente:

visit the Farmer’s Market
learn more about surfing at the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center
test the local beer at Artifex Brewing Company
go shopping at the outlet in San Clemente
go to Dana Point for whale watching
participate in a beach fire in North Beach
taste delicious ice cream at South Swell

Where to stay in San Clemente:

budget: Nomads Hotel
mid-range: Sea Horse Resort
luxury: Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa

San Clemente, California | 5 towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

3. Seal Beach, California

I admit I’m a little subjective in choosing Seal Beach as part of the list of 5 towns to visit on the West Coast of the United States.

However, I do believe that spending a few days here it’s one of the best west coast vacation ideas for couples.

Why did I choose to add Seal Beach to this list of towns to visit on the west coast? Well, Seal Beach was the filming location for the famous 90’s production Sunset Beach, a piece of my childhood.

However, Seal Beach is a place worth visiting, as I said. The town is located between two famous beaches in California, Long Beach, and Huntington Beach.

In Seal Beach, you can see the mountains and the river San Gabriel, which flows into the ocean right on the beach in Seal Beach.

Take a walk on Seal Pier, a wooden pier, the second-longest wooden pier in California. It has a restaurant and many benches to rest and enjoy the beautiful panorama of the city.

Go on a three-hour tour to taste the dishes of 7 top restaurants on the city’s main street. The tour is called Seal Beach Food Tours.

Almost every city in California is bike-friendly, and Seal Beach could not be any different. So, here is a 28-mile bike path along the San Gabriel River.

Seal Beach is one of the best places to live on the west coast since it’s a quiet town and it has so many great things to offer.

Things to do in Seal Beach:

take a selfie with the bronze statue of the seal at the entrance to the pier
go shopping on Main Street
visit Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge
dine at Spaghetti Italian Grill and Lounge

Where to stay in Seal Beach:

budget: The Pacific Inn
mid-range: Ayres Hotel Seal Beach

4. Cannon Beach, Oregon – the town on the West Coast where one of the most photographed beaches is located

Located in Oregon, on the famous Pacific Coast Highway, Cannon Beach is part of the famous westcoast towns. “Guilty” of its fame are some movies that chose it as a filming location.

The Goonies, Point Break, and especially the Twilight saga were filmed here, on the beautiful beach with rocks in the water.

The most photographed place in Cannon Beach is, by far, Haystack Rock, the famous rock over 70 meters high in the middle of the ocean.

Another place of paradisiacal beauty in Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park, spread over 9 miles of coastline, with panoramic views and stunning nature trails.

This makes Cannon Beach one of the best small towns on the west coast. If you arrive in Cannon Beach, you must participate in a campfire on the beach.

Being located in the north of the West Coast, the temperatures are not the highest here, so a fire is perfect for warming up on the beach, with the sound of the waves in the background.

When you’re hungry, don’t forget that some of the best restaurants in Oregon are in Cannon Beach.

Pamper your taste buds with selected dishes at Bistro Restaurant and Bar, Castaways, or Tom’s Fish N Chips.

Things to do in Cannon Beach:

test local beer at Pelican Brewing Company or Public Coast Brewing Co
explore mountain trails in Oswald West State Park
visit the caves and mini waterfall at Hug Point
stay in a hotel overlooking the beach

Where to stay in Cannon Beach:

budget: Ecola Creek Lodge
mid-range: Inn at the Prom
luxury: The Ocean Lodge

Cannon Beach, Oregon | 5 towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

5. Carmel-by-the-sea, California – the most Instagramable towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

I left it at the end, but I probably should have put it at the beginning of this westcoast towns list.

Carmel-by-the-sea is a fairytale town with Victorian houses and alleys with towering palm trees. It’s probably one of the best places to live on the west coast.

Take a walk on Carmel Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Although it is part of a famous town, the beach looks like a wild and secluded one. It has a unique charm that you will surely enjoy too.

Visit Carmelo Mission, a parish church built in 1771 by Father Junipero Serra of Spain.

It’s one of the best examples of Spanish colonial architecture and one of the best-preserved.

Go to Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a fascinating place in terms of landscapes. The pines and cypresses’ paths reveal the ocean’s turquoise waves, hitting the dramatic rocks.

Of course, you can’t visit Carmel-by-the-sea without exploring The 17-Mile Drive, one of the most scenic roads on the West Coast, USA.

You will have to pay a fee for this, but I assure you that it is well worth every penny.

Things to do in Carmel-by-the-sea:

go shopping on Ocean Avenue
visit the fairytale cottages built by Hugh Comstock between 1920 and 1930
visit Monterey, the neighboring town
hike to Garland Ranch Regional Park
participate in the Carmel Beach Festival in July
admire the birds and their wildlife at Carmel River Bird Sanctuary

Where to stay in Carmel-by-the-sea:

budget: Carmel Bay View Inn
mid-range: Horizon Inn & Ocean View Lodge
luxury: La Playa Carmel

Carmel by-the-sea, California | 5 towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

Carmel-by-the-sea, California | 5 towns to visit on the West Coast, USA

PIN IT FOR LATER ↓