8 Fairy-Tale Small Towns On The Pacific Coast

California, Oregon, and Washington comprise the western region of the United States, which all border the Pacific Ocean, thereby being classified as the Pacific Coast. The assorted landscapes include sandy beaches, rainforests, volcanic mountains, and rugged cliffs. Each state holds its own wonder and beauty, distinct from its bordering neighbor. They all contain their own magic and proudly display it to visitors and locals. To experience the magic, don’t miss a chance to visit these eight fairy tale small towns on the Pacific Coast.

Cannon Beach

One of the most iconic spots in Cannon Beach, and possibly the entire state of Oregon, is Haystack Rock. Featured in the coming-of-age movies The Goonies and Kindergarten Cop, Haystack Rock is a very sought-after attraction. Rising 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline, the basalt sea stack can be walked right up to during low tide. Reflect on the nostalgia this land formation evokes in popular childhood movies and marvel at the colorful sea stars and other tidepool creatures that live near the rock.

For even more immaculate views, venture through Ecola State Park. Spanning nine miles of coastline, the park's main activities include tidepooling, surfing, and observing wildlife. Enter through a Sitka spruce forest before finding yourself in a grassy bluff that provides spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Sea stacks protrude from the ocean, and the trails offer viewpoints of coves, forested capes, and even a long-abandoned lighthouse. Another box office featured landscape in Cannon Beach is Indian Beach. Believed to be featured in the movie Point Break, Indian Beach is home to a coastal rainforest and sandy beaches, complete with lively tidepools. A short drive through the forest will take visitors and movie buffs right to the beach.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

The quaint downtown of Carmel-by-the-Sea features winding lanes, lined with artisan boutiques, cafes, and galleries, for the shoppers and the curious, while the white sands of Carmel Beach beckon the beachgoers to the Pacific Ocean. Found at the foot of Ocean Avenue, the beach is one of the most iconic locations on California's Central Coast and is rated "One of America's Top Beach Towns." Walk the scenic path to Monterey Cypress trees and bluffs, surf, or enjoy a beachside fire. For more sand, ocean, and wildlife, cover some ground at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

Capes, coves, and rolling meadows form one of the richest underwater habitats in the world. Witness seals, sea lions, sea otters, migrating gray whales, and seabirds in their natural habitat. Another state park, Garrapata State Park, offers two miles of beachfront access and coastal hiking trails that feature a 50-foot climb to a stunning view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. With trails running from ocean beaches to redwood groves, the park offers diverse coastal vegetation. It is home to a variety of marine mammals, including sea lions, harbor seals, and sea otters.

Astoria

Goonies never say die! As previously referenced, the town of Cannon Beach’s attractions made Oregon a hotspot for shooting locations of the cult classic, The Goonies. Visit the spot where all the childhood magic happened with a visit to The Goonies House. Currently, the house is not open for tours, but visitors are encouraged to walk up the driveway for photo ops with the classic house. The home sits at the top of a scenic bluff that provides views of the Columbia River, which feeds into the Pacific Ocean. The rivers in Astoria also offer entertainment, attractions, and sites. Take the Astoria Riverfront Trolley all along the riverfront.

The historic trolley, “Old 300,” was built in 1913 by the American Car Company of St. Louis, Missouri, and remains the same one in operation today, over 100 years later. Take the one-hour out-and-back ride that passes through the downtown area twice. Continue your adventure along the river at the Astoria Riverwalk. This picturesque trail is also historical. Following a segment of the Astoria & Columbia River Railroad, the 4.8-mile trail played a monumental role in the Lewis & Clark Expedition. On March 23, 1806, the explorers camped there after a winter at Fort Clatsop.

Coos Bay

Positioned where the Coos River meets the Pacific Ocean is Oregon’s largest bay and most populated coastal city. Being so aquatically populated, many attractions and entertainment options in Coos Bay are located near the water. Shore Acres State Park is situated high on sandstone cliffs, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The former estate of a timber baron, the park boasts a formal garden featuring plants and flowers from around the globe. Beyond the garden, a trail leads to a secluded ocean cove, where visitors can enjoy the solitude and breathtaking sights of seascapes, crashing waves, and the occasional sighting of migrating whales. In one of Oregon's most scenic coastal regions is Sunset Bay State Park, featuring sandy beaches and towering sea cliffs.

The park offers a range of activities, including camping, hiking, beachcombing, fishing, boating, and swimming. Connect from Sunset Bay to the previously mentioned Shores Acres through a series of hiking trails. Don’t miss a chance to check out the coastal forests, wildflowers, and ocean views along the way. Even more beauty awaits along the shore at Cape Arago State Park. The scenic cape juts into the Pacific Ocean, featuring sandy beaches and tidepools that are home to intertidal plants and animals. Further into the ocean, keep a lookout for migrating whales and other marine life.

Pismo Beach

Get the best view of Pismo Beach at the Pismo Preserve, an 880-acre area that offers a wide array of outdoor activities. Enjoy the 11 miles of trails that navigate oak woodlands and a coastal ridgeline, all while following along the Pacific Ocean. For whimsical wonderment, immerse yourself in the colors and magic at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove. The grove features giant eucalyptus and Monterey cypress trees, which provide shelter and a canopy, creating a thermally stable environment for the butterflies.

Next to the grove is a natural producing garden that provides nectar for adult butterflies. For a tourist-centered attraction, walk the Pier Plaza in Pismo Beach. Enjoy the photo op with the seven-foot-tall neon letters spelling out Pismo Beach before taking a giant slide that traverses under the plaza floor to the beach below. Grab a snack or drink from one of the airstreams serving food on the pier, pick up bait from Sheldon’s Bait Shack, or enjoy the sunset.

Half Moon Bay

Four small beaches and two miles of shoreline combined to make Half Moon Bay State Beach. Although swimming is not recommended in the waters, visitors can surf or surf-fish. There is also a coastal trail that runs four miles along the bay and eventually leads to the park campground. Home of the annual big wave surfing competition, Mavericks, the event is coincidentally held at Mavericks Beach.

Views of the Air Force military installation on Pillar Point are visible from the bluff top viewing area. Beneath the water, landforms create a unique break that makes the area ideal for surfers. Although a portion of Miramar Beach has eroded into the ocean, it can still offer an enticing beach experience. A portion of the California Coastal Trail runs along the beach and is accessible for walkers, bikers, and runners. Beneath the footbridge where the Arroyo de en Medio Creek flows into the ocean, visitors will find the best pockets of sand.

Sausalito

Begin your visit to Sausalito with a trip to its most photographed location, Viña del Mar Park. Located in the heart of downtown, the triangle-shaped park boasts three unique features that draw tourists to the area. The elephant statues, views of the bay, and the fountain are the main focal points. For more unforgettable views, with one of California’s most notorious landmarks, make your way to the top of Battery Spencer Overlook. With sites overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, many car commercials that include the bridge in the background are filmed on the road leading up to the overlook.

The views are not the only attraction; the grounds show the remains of war. 15-inch cannonball shooting guns were replaced by 12-inch rifled guns of Battery Spencer in 1895. Another National Park Service site in town is Fort Baker. The 335-acre site was once a U.S. Army post and, to this day, consists of over 25 historic army buildings grouped around a main parade ground, a harbor sheltered by a jetty, historic gun locations, and trails and forested areas leading up the San Francisco Bay.

Tillamook

Prevalent for its lighthouse, ocean views, and octopus-shaped Sitka spruce, Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint holds all kinds of Northwest Coast wonders. Migrating whales and other marine life can be viewed from the point, and seabirds can be viewed from the cliffs and offshore rocks. A short path leads visitors to a uniquely shaped “Octopus Tree” that features thick, sprawling limbs. For outdoor learning and exploration, head over to the Tillamook Forest Center. The 13,500-square-foot center provides visitors with hands-on exhibits and innovative programs, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of what a forest is, how it functions, and its history.

The center is the area’s premier forest-based learning center and outdoor classroom, located in the heart of the Tillamook State Forest. For a final area with unmatched views, visit Cape Lookout State Park. Situated on a sand spit between Netarts Bay and the Pacific Ocean, Cape Lookout is a destination for hiking, beachcombing, and visiting destinations along the Three Cape Scenic Route. A five-mile trail provides exquisite views of the ocean and shore peeking out from behind Sitka spruce trees and hemlocks.

The Pacific Coast ranges from sandy beaches to forested wetlands and everything in between. The wonder of the coast lies in the range of terrain, landscapes, and naturally occurring elements available. Spend a day at a sandy beach listening to the waves crash, or venture deep into a covered forest darkened by the canopy of the branches. Find the beauty in all of these components of nature in these eight fairy tale small towns on the Pacific Coast.