7 Towns on the Pacific Coast with Unique Traditions
The Pacific coastline of the United States and Canada is a place of mystery, magic, and legends rooted in traditional tales and historical happenings. From celebrating the diverse natural environment to teaching Indigenous skills to the next generation, visitors to the region have a lot to learn and enjoy. Seeing and experiencing their traditions is a great way to get to know these charming Pacific Ocean communities — and it’s a whole lot of fun, too. Go whale-watching, pick up a native carving, snack on fresh salmon, and party like a pirate. These small towns on the Pacific coast know how to celebrate their culture in style.
Florence, Oregon
For over a century, the small coastal town of Florence has come together in May to celebrate a humble shrub: the Rhododendron. One of the longest-running flower festivals on the West Coast, the Florence Rhododendron Festival draws thousands of visitors to the town’s historic district every year to view parades, art, and concerts celebrating the plant that gave the town its nickname of ‘the city of rhododendrons.’
But there’s more to Florence than pretty blooms. While you’re in town, stroll around the historic district to see beautiful examples of early 1900s architecture as well as stunning views of the Siuslaw River from the boardwalk. Just outside town, you’ll find the famous Heceta Head Lighthouse, a favorite of photographers thanks to its classic design and stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The century-old light is still in operation and on the National Register of Historic Places.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a historic coastal village with a rich maritime history, but before this area became a bustling port and trade hub for pioneers and seafarers, it was occupied by Native American communities that lived off the land and sea. Experience the traditions of these Indigenous people at the Barbey Maritime Center, where visitors can take a class in Native American wood carving techniques and styles. Hoping to keep the tradition alive, the class is taught by an expert, Jim Bergeron, who showcases how to create detailed carvings of spears, masks, animals, and more.
The Barbey Maritime Center is housed in the former train depot and is next door to the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which is well worth a visit for anyone interested in learning more about Astoria’s traditions and history. The museum is one of the stops on the Astoria Trolley Tour, a fun way to see the town while enjoying scenic views of the busy waterfront and Columbia River.
Mendocino, California
It’s almost impossible to talk about the Pacific Coast without mentioning one of the main tourist attractions — whale watching. The charming town of Mendocino has made a tradition out of its famous marine residents, hosting an annual Whale Festival. The history of the festival goes back to 1976 when Greenpeace footage revealed whales being slaughtered off the coast, and locals mounted an anti-whaling campaign. The festival was created to raise awareness of the importance of whales to their marine habitat and the need to protect endangered species. It takes place in spring and features a wine walk, educational presentations, exhibits, and food everyone can enjoy.
For more of Mendocino’s natural beauty, head to the Mendocino Headlands State Park, where you’ll find sweeping ocean views from the rugged California cliffs. Back in town, a trip to the Ford House Museum gives visitors a glimpse into life in Mendocino County in the 1800s with exhibits, artifacts, and a fascinating model replica of the town circa 1890.
Westport, Washington
Founded in 1914, the small town of Westport has heavily relied on the fishing and maritime industries to support its growth from a tiny coastal village to a thriving tourist hotspot. Today, the town still has an active fishery but has expanded to offer charter fishing, whale-watching excursions, and other seaside attractions. One of its longstanding family-friendly traditions, Pirate Daze, is a nod to this maritime history, celebrating the town’s seafaring culture. Taking over the waterfront for a two-day festival, the Pirate Daze celebrations include costume contests, historical reenactments, and live music.
For more sea-themed fun, visit the Westport Maritime Museum or the nearby International Mermaid Museum. These are musts for little ones who will learn about ocean ecology while enjoying tales of mermaid mythology.
Tofino, British Columbia
Up past the border and into Canada, Tofino is a small community perched on the western shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Here, at the southern edge of the Clayoquot Sound, locals past and present pay homage to a very special seasonal resident — the salmon.
Sacred among Indigenous nations, the salmon played a huge part in the lives of these communities, providing sustenance and an economic livelihood. Today, salmon is celebrated with the annual Clayoquot Salmon Festival, which takes place in early fall when the salmon return to the West Coast to spawn. Events include a salmon forest walk, traditional songs and dancing from the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Nation, and salmon and ocean protection presentations.
For more Indigenous culture, visit the House of Himwitsa First Nations Art Gallery on Main Street, home to a dazzling collection of handcrafted baskets, carvings, masks, jewelry, and more. Also downtown, you’ll find the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum, which carries an impressive collection of photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that paint a detailed picture of the area’s fascinating history.
Yachats, Oregon
For over two decades, the people of Yachats, Oregon, have been celebrating an unlikely hero: the mushroom. The three-day annual Yachats Mushroom Festival is a much-loved town tradition, bringing locals and visitors together to learn about foraging, sample mushroom treats, see cooking demonstrations, and take a guided mushroom walk. Created to raise awareness of the unique ecology of coastal forests and their funghi, the festival has become a local landmark and attracts hundreds of visitors to the small town.
A nature-lovers paradise, Yachats is simply stunning. Hike or bike the 804 Trail to see the town at its best, meandering a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) path along beaches and tidepools to the north end of Smelt Sands State Recreation Site. Yachats is also the perfect place to take a whale-watching tour. Around 20,000 gray whales migrate up and down this stretch of coastline, and a resident population of around 200 stays year-round.
Garibaldi, Oregon
On the north end of Tillamook Bay, Garibaldi is a quaint coastal town with a very unusual tradition. On the second weekend in March, the town gathers to race crustaceans down the main street. A tradition for almost 40 years, the Garibaldi Crab Races are not to be missed. Dungeness crabs crawl down custom-made wooden race lanes to be the first to cross the finish lines while supporters and spectators cheer them on. The fun doesn’t stop there. The festival also includes local beers and wines, seafood treats, and prize-giving.
The Crab Races were created as a fun nod to the Oregon Coast’s crab industry, which has sustained its small towns for decades. While in town, check out Garibaldi’s beautiful harborfront, where you can pick up a fishing charter, view the historic Pier’s End Boathouse, or grab a bite at one of the many local seafood restaurants. Garibaldi is also a stop on the Oregon Scenic Railroad, which runs from the town through the fishing village of Wheeler and onto Rockaway Beach. The route is a great way to get to know the Tillamook Coast, which has beautiful views of the Pacific and Nehalem Bay.
Wrapping Up
North America’s west coast is an excellent destination for hiking, biking, whale-watching, and fishing. Still, it’s also the perfect place to learn about new cultures, experience history, and do something different. If you’ve never raced a crab, taken a salmon walk, danced with a pirate, foraged for mushrooms, or carved your own Native American mask, then you’ve been doing vacations wrong. Head to the Pacific Coast for your next break and experience some of the region’s fun, fascinating, and fantastic traditions.
