6 Lovely Small Towns to Visit on the Pacific Coast This Summer

The Pacific Coast is a marvel for any explorer who searches for natural wonder, unique cultural identity, and underappreciated small towns of the United States. Driving through the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Highway in Brookings, Oregon; learning of the unique glass-blowing culture in Lincoln City, Oregon; and enjoying impressive views from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Sausalito, California are only a few examples of the area's potential. Any prospective traveler should use this list as a guide through six lovely small towns on the Pacific Coast this summer.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, personifies the rugged beauty of coastal California and Monterey County. There's no shortage of activity in the downtown area that neighbors Monterey Bay. Carmel Beach's pristine waters attract many beachgoers on wide sandy stretches, top-quality restaurants like La Bicyclette offer ideal refuges from hot afternoon temperatures, and Mission Trail Park's leisurely trail system brings patrons past both forested beauty and characteristic Californian architecture. Following the Pacific waters south brings travelers to this small town's most prolific attractions: the intriguing courtyards of the Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, first built in 1797, and the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, a magnificent natural dedication to Pacific waves and cliffs.

Brookings, Oregon

Brookings, Oregon, is a memorable getaway that often escapes common recognition despite its impressive natural endowments. Outdoor enthusiasts may travel here to explore the shallow seas and wide beaches of Harris Beach State Park, which is marked by unique rock formations and wind-swept sands. These same natural wonders can be explored by vehicle on the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. This spectacular coastal highway runs through the town and by surrounding natural attractions like Whaleshead Beach and Lone Ranch Beach. For a secluded adventure on the ocean, check out the tide pools and oceanfront trails in the peninsula of Chetco Point Park. The town's center of activity is Azalea Park and the unique wood and stone chapel, Capella by the Sea.

Anacortes, Washington

Anacortes, Washington, carries a full host of amenities and natural attractions in its small size within the inlets of the San Juan Islands. Visitors may remember Anacortes for the impressive parks that mark its downtown harbor: Seafarers Memorial Park and the hiking trails in Cap Sante Park's peninsula create a memorable natural harbor. Top-quality restaurants and snack bars like Dad's Diner and Mad Hatter's Cafe line picturesque downtown streets, all accented by the extensive Cap Sante Marina. However, the most recognized attraction in Anacortes is Washington Park: a secluded city park with opportunities for camping, walking along the sands of Sunset Beach and the trails of Cabana Park, or enjoying the views from the Washington Park Overlook.

Sausalito, California

Leaving San Francisco and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge leaves travelers in Sausalito, California's small but energetic town. The downtown area is a bustling center of activity best experienced by a walk along the Sausalito Boardwalk toward Dunphy Park's waterfront trails, green picnic lawns, and beach volleyball courts. Bar Bocce, Joinery, and Barrel House Cafe are central dining options at the forefront. Outside of the charming downtown area are magnificent views all along the surrounding Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The view from the Golden Gate Observation Deck, the rocky cliffs accenting the Point Bonita Lighthouse, and the secluded sands of Tennessee Beach are all must-visit points of interest.

Lincoln City, Oregon

Lincoln City is filled with Oregon's natural charisma. The town's temperate coast provides some of Oregon's best in white-sand beaches, including the D River State Recreation Site, the shallow sea exploration activities on the Lincoln City Beach Access, and the expansive shores of the long Nelscott Beach. However, the most popular natural attraction is the Roads End State Recreation Area's impressive rock formations and coastal scenery. Lincoln City also holds a variety of unique dedications to its cultural and social character, including the fantastic creativity of the Lincoln City Glass Center, the arrangement of the Connie Hansen Garden Conservancy, and the stories of the North Lincoln County Historical Museum.

Friday Harbour, Washington

Friday Harbour is a magical refuge of the Pacific Ocean set on San Juan Island in northwest Washington. The town is a popular getaway for whale-watching in the spring and summer months, most popularly from Western Prince Whale Watching Adventures or through learnings of the Salish Sea ecosystem at The Whale Museum. The San Juan Islands Museum of Art is a stylish modern dedication to the expressions of regional artists in frequently rotating arrangements, and the neighboring San Juan Islands National Monument is an expansive park that epitomizes the area's natural diversity and beauty. More ambitious outdoor explorers often visit the pleasant walking trails and forested hills of Lime Kiln Point State Park on the island's western coast.

Discover the Gems of the Pacific Coast

The United State's Pacific Coast will exceed the expectations of even the most experienced travelers this summer. Visitors searching for cultural identity can wander through the modern art of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art in Friday Harbour, Washington; outdoor enthusiasts can marvel at the impressive coastal scenery enjoyed from Washington Park in Anacortes, and energetic travelers can enjoy a full host of events and restaurants in the quaint downtown of Carmel-by-the-Sea California. For all these memorable opportunities and more, visit these six lovely towns on the Pacific Coast this summer.