8 Of The Friendliest Towns In The Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast, with the Pacific Ocean as its natural western border and the coastal mountain ranges at the eastern border of the region, covers California, Oregon, and Washington. It includes Alaska and extends further through British Columbia in Canada and Hawaii the other way. From sunny shores to fog-enshrouded cliffs rising over the pounding surf, you can even sight majestic snow-covered peaks with tall needleleaf evergreens and friendly cities and towns existing in between all the drama. These towns are revered tourist destinations without the crowded vibes and all the charming small town businesses and feel-good pursuits for any taste in a getaway.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria, the small town along the Pacific coastline and perhaps its friendliest, is home to just over 10,500 warm and welcoming outdoor lovers. Visit and see what has got the people talking on a getaway from the city of your dreams to the renowned Astoria Riverwalk. This scenic riverfront promenade gathering place to mingle, stroll, and more was erected through a common national, state, and county effort and follows the Astoria and Columbia River Railroad tracks. Get in some exercise in between your favorite hotspots here, like restaurants, museums, shopping, and even hotels, with other skaters, bikers, joggers, and hikers.
Find benches to relax along the route, fantastic natural vistas, and historical landmarks strewn throughout, like marking Lewis and Clark's expedition camp at the head of the trail in 1806 after wintering at Fort Clatsop. This small coastal inlet where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean is full of gorgeous nature, a lively arts scene, and maritime history as its most revered fresh-air attractions. From indulging in fresh seafood to visiting the iconic Astoria Column and strolling along the 12.4-mile riverwalk, Astoria is full of dopamine-inducing leisurely pleasures.
Florence, Oregon
This lively and thriving town at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, overlooking the stunning Oregon Dunes along the central state's coastline, is prime for eco-friendly tourism. Explore the coastal dunes that stretch for nearly 50 miles as one of the world's grandest oceanfront expanses of sand, which inspired Frank Herbert to write Dune in 1965, describing these huge, windswept piles. Find a cute rental right in the riverfront community or set up camp in the friendly nature at the northern end of the dunes and make the vintage Heceta Head Lighthouse your first scenic picnic spot.
Enjoy daily strolls through Florence's Old Town with plentiful cute cafes and seafood eateries with jaw-dropping views before and after your sandy daytime excursions. Visit a friendly park, Exploding Whale Memorial Park, named after a gruesome event from 1970 that honors a deceased whale. The town of under 10,000 could not be a more charming coastal place today to join its outdoor-loving residents along miles upon miles of hiking trails, fishing piers, and crabbing for a cookout by a beach fire.
La Conner, Washington
La Conner, a genuinely warm town, is often ranked as the best in Washington for a weekend escape. The beautiful town on the Salish Sea between Seattle and Vancouver, BC, is a prime base for outdoor ventures, from boat excursions to inland hikes through Washington's renowned forests. Relish in the local hospitality and seek out culture on a stroll around town and to the scenic marina, with great access to the San Juan Islands and a host of vibrant events. Visit for the 23rd annual La Conner Classic Boat & Car Show in August, with glam boats, cars, motorcycles, and tractors.
Visiting in an RV or a boat? Call the multipurpose marina home for the best beach stay, with views and activities right on your doorstep. La Conner is a nation-wide destination for the stunning display during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, with fun, food, and music, with the marina taking the front stage once again. Come and experience everything the town has to offer on a romantic getaway, a road trip with friends, or a whole vacation spent seaside with your family.
Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach is a revered family getaway destination and a favorite among vacationing couples for many reasons. The small town, with its not-so-secret friendly vibes, makes for a great city escape along the SoCal Pacific coastline and something special for every group and budget to immerse themselves in. Experience the warmth-emanating aura under the sunny skies and with genuine locals through feel-good pursuits like delectable seafood delights, boutique shopping galore, and various accommodations.
Laguna Beach's cafe culture with terraces will feel second-nature and right where you belong, in the vibrant embrace of hospitality and at the mercy of the water views that stretch on forever. The town that captures hearts at first sight is also a scrumptious slice of California nature to set base and explore around. Check out the many indie coffee shops post-hike, like the relaxing patio at Laguna Coffee in a laidback atmosphere, to make friends and get suggestions. The allure of persistent sunshine and pleasurable hotspots lures you to come back any time of the year and experience everything again, including new "it" places for the next time you visit.
Port Townsend, Washington
A seaport town with a glorious past, Port Townsend is a revered vacation spot for every taste perched on the Quimper Peninsula, with its rich maritime legacy still visible today. Take a stroll along Victorian architecture through the National Register of Historic Places-listed Port Townsend Historic District with Victorian grandeur. The Jefferson County Courthouse narrates its past as a trading hub with the same 18th-century aesthetic that withstood boom and bust.
Port Townsend has enviable modern-day attractions that make it a sought-after anytime family destination, like an annual film festival, a maritime museum, and a perusable farmers market. Find something for everyone to make the best memories, like the annual Wooden Boat Festival, which celebrates the nautical past with hundreds of unique vessels on display. Enjoy local parks for sunny day strolls and picnics, including Fort Worden State Park and Chetzemoka Park, which blend history with natural beauty to bond over sights and relaxation.
Poulsbo, Washington
This historic little town along the revered Kitsap Peninsula, a seaside destination for all tastes and ages, will make you ask, "Are we still in Washington?" The charming town nicknamed Little Norway evokes northern Scandinavian vibes through everything that it touches, like nature, culture, city sights, and attractions. Perhaps the only difference are the chatty folks, despite being the descendents of the more reserved real Norwegians, at least in the traditional sense. Immerse yourself in culture with Viking vestiges through modern pursuits, like at Viking Donuts for a sugar rush with a morning java.
From the picturesque downtown to its marina, the warm and friendly town is perfect for families. Visit with your pets and kids, particularly if you are a shopaholic mom, a boat-loving dad, or have little ones who like to roam around pedestrian-friendly streets. The Poulsbo Guest House International and Poulsbo Inn & Suites invite you in for a respite on a getaway or vacation, with shopping and dining around the corner. Take a stroll along the cute main Front Street thoroughfare with galleries, museums, and shopping through unique boutiques, crafts, and antiquing in the thriving Arts District. The waterfront restaurants overlooking the marina and waterfront park are also just a hop away.
Sausalito, California
Sausalito is a charming NorCal town near the northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge with friendly, wine-loving locals. Enjoy an easy seascape in its coastal embrace, worth exploring regardless of your sense of pursuit or visit. The town's scenic harbor with a colorful array of houseboats is a perfect place to get a taste of Sausalito, as well as for morning strolls and meeting stunning sunsets each evening. Hit the main Bridgeway street with cute shops, restaurants, and farmer’s markets, nearby public beaches, and lush vineyards for a day trip.
The picturesque town is unbeatable in so many ways for summertime action and recreational pursuits the rest of the year, like beaches, a wine culture, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area with second-to-none views. Take the 2.5-hour trail from San Francisco in lieu of a ferry ride for a scenic morning workout to the Golden Gate Bridge. You will be in the Mediterranean-like fishing village's embrace for a late breakfast at a waterfront cafe overlooking San Francisco Bay, where every sight captures the essence of the town.
Sequim, Washington
No amount of praise can do this town on the state's Olympic Peninsula justice, but visiting Sequim will stroke its prism in just the right direction. Don't worry, you won't find any gloating residents, but happy locals willing to share their beautiful town's natural gifts with every new face and thousands of those who come for the annual Lavender festival, Sequim Lavender Festival Weekend, on the third weekend in July. With more sunny days in Sunny Sequim in the Olympic Rain Shadow than the rest of the state, it is perfect for spending days outdoors, including venturous hikes through the nearby nature lover's paradise, Olympic National Park.
Needless to say, the lavender capital of North America is a dreamy scented wonderland, with summertime flowering fields and countless charming small-town businesses like coffee shops, craft stores, and boutiques. Come to admire the endless purple fields and stock up on essential oils, bath products, and skincare for yourself and your friends back home. The lavender and the charming locals make Sequiem the cutest town on the West Coast, on Sequim Bay. Expand your horizons with a sail out into the Salish Sea, or take a day trip to Port Angeles and Port Townsend.
Visit one of its mainland towns in the US on an unforgettable seaside escape for families, friends, and couples, where friendly locals enrich the scenic beauty innate to Pacifica. The region is full of history, from various indigenous groups to the first European settlements and historical treks you can follow today. With plentiful scenery and little rainfall, the Pacific region is perfect for nature lovers and active outdoorsmen. Find sunny beaches, woodlands, and even vibrant flower fields transitioning seamlessly into deserts, wine country, and mountains through state parks.
