9 Most Underrated Towns on the Pacific Coast
The US Pacific Coast is one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful regions in the country, spanning north from Alaska, Washington, to Oregon, and ending in California. This extraordinary region is home to 53 million people, all of who live in unique and gorgeous small towns and cities, whether large cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Fransisco, Portland, Seattle, Anchorage, or small towns that carry individuality, close-knit communities, and breathtaking scenery. The Pacific Coast may be known for Los Angeles and other large cities, but these underrated small towns make the Pacific Coast a must-visit destination.
Carmel-By-The-Sea, California
Carmel-By-The-Sea is a breathtaking town, with a skyline comprised of unique and eclectic homes all specifically built by artists who fled the tragic 1906 San Fransisco Earthquake. It became a safe haven for these creative individuals whose original home was destroyed by the might of natural disasters and were offered lots for a 10$ downpayment. One unique factor of this intriguing town is the fact there are no street numbers, no parking meters or street lights, and all new buildings must be built around existing trees. New trees are also required on lots deemed to have an inadequate number of trees.
This creatively constructed town is a hidden gem on California's beautiful Monterey Peninsula. Carmel-By-The-Sea is an awe-inspiring town host to impeccable sights such as Point Lobos, where you can discover trees-covered cliffs and sandy shores along blue waters. Point Lobos is a spectacular spot, it is a marine habitat that fosters pristine ocean waters, marine mammals such as seals as well as towering cypress trees which leave tourists impressed by the region's magnificent beauty. The absolutely stunning Marine Habitat comprises two marine protected areas, Point Lobos State Marine Reserve and Point Lobos State Marine Conservation Area. The amazing sea nearby is one of the superior regions for scuba diving on the Monterey Peninsula and along the California coast within its clean and clear waters.
Bandon, Oregon
Loved for carefully preserved natural beauty, protected ecosystems, and progressive ways to repurpose any trash which may wash or get left upon its shores, the town of Bandon in the lovely state of Oregon is prideful in its attempts to respect and protect. Bandon is a city in scenic Coos County, Oregon, in the northwestern United States, on the southern side of the mouth of the gorgeous and important Coquille River, named after the Coquille indigenous people, who are named after the indigenous word for Eel, which was an important animal as well as a food source for local indigenous peoples of the region. Some beautiful sites in Bandon include Coquille River Lighthouse and Face Rock State Scenic Park, which features huge rocks in the pristine waters of the beach, with face-like features within these stunning rock formations.
Cayucos, California
Spanish for "canoe," Cayucos is a coastal community long inhabited by the Chumash indigenous people, drawn to the area for its resourceful shores. Today, visitors who discover this underrated beach town will experience a warm Mediterranean climate all within the American state of California! Cayucos may be small, but it is not lacking in things to do and restaurants to visit with delicious food options like Brown Butter Cookie Company and Cafe Della Via. When choosing a beautiful town with loads of natural beauty, Cayucos will be at the top of any traveler's list, with places like Estero Bluffs State Park, which is one of the most gorgeous parks in the state, offering visitors scenic views of crystal blue waters and oceanside cliffs Cayucos State Beach is an excellent spot to relax for the day in Cayucos with some of the best sand and waters in the state.
Capitola, California
In the remarkably beautiful Santa Cruz County on the central coast of the big and beautiful state of California, is the underrated and scenic town of Capitola, renowned for having a plethora of colorful homes along its coastline ranging from yellow to blue and everything in between, giving this community a never-ending vibrance that truly sets this community apart from other towns in the country. Capitola offers visitors a breathtaking view of Monterey Bay and is the perfect spot to swim at one of the town's 14 state parks and beaches, which allow for activities such as kayaking during a calm day or surfing the gentle yet moving waves of this beautiful oceanside town of 9,938 lovely residents.
Fishing is another popular activity and primarily takes place at the town's picture-perfect pier, where tourists may take in the scenic view of the many colorful buildings along the town's shores. Capitola is nationally loved for the many delicious dining options in the town, ranging from a day to after-dark, sushi to tacos, grill, or bakery! On a sunny day, stop by Avenue Cafe or Margaritaville and come nighttime swing over to Britannia Arms or The Sand Bar for a bite and a refreshing drink under the starry sky!
Avalon, California
The southernmost city in Los Angeles County, Avalon is a small resort town located on the stunning Santa Catalina Island, the most inhabited of the Channel Islands of California. Oriented around the breathtaking Avalon Bay, the city of Avalon shares a name with the mythical island of Avalon, which served as the point of creation of the sword Excalibur. This is where King Arthur rested to allow magic to heal his wounds within Arthurian Legend. Avalon was a place of magic, and Avalon, California, is the closest you can get to a real Avalon, with scenery seemingly straight out of a fairytale. When visiting Avalon, visitors must check out the beautiful beaches in this ethereal town, such as Descanso Beach Club, a popular public beach in Avalon, and a lovely beachside restaurant.
Florence, Oregon
Featuring beautiful Sea Lion Caves, the small city of Florence, found at the mouth of the Siuslaw River on the stunning Oregon coast, is an underrated gem. With untouched beauty, intriguing history, and a welcoming community of 9,475, Florence is a number one destination for your bucket list. From boarding over sandy dunes with Sand Master Sandboarding to traversing Sea Lion Caves that carry a magical aura and seemingly transport visitors to another world, Florence is full of adventure. Visitors may find themselves admiring the once-in-a-lifetime scenery of Heceta Head Lighthouse, fully surrounded by towering cliffs coated in mature trees that reach up to the sky along pristine blue waters. Florence has more nature to explore than you may imagine, with trails like Hobbit Trail, Heceta Beach, and Darlingtonia State Natural Site.
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Washington may not be as popular as California for tourism, but to many, that makes the state and its small underrated towns all the better as they can avoid busy summer crowds and gain the experience of relaxing in nature with limited noise or distraction. Bainbridge Island rests in the extraordinarily beautiful Puget Sound, a sound of the Pacific Northwest, an inlet of the Pacific Ocean, and part of the stunning Salish Sea. The beautiful Bainbridge Island is a suburb of Washington's biggest city, Seattle, connected via the Washington State Ferry. Bainbridge Island is a utopia of nature, with parks such as Bloedel Reserve, Fay Bainbridge Park, and The Grand Forest truly representing the beauty that Washington State offers.
Solvang, California
Imagine a mix of Mexican, American, and Danish architecture and culture in one community. Solvang is most renowned for being a mini-Copenhagen, as the town has deep roots in Danish culture. Solvang was primarily inhabited by the Chumash indigenous peoples, and then colonized by the Spanish, and after the Mexican War of Independence, resulting in Mexican rule, until American occupation, which resulted in large numbers of Danish immigrants settling in the area, creating what is now the beautiful Solvang, California. Today, Solvang is a hidden gem in Santa Ynez Valley with amazing attractions such as Old Mission Santa Ines in Mexican colonial architecture, Solvang Festival Theatre in Danish-inspired architecture, and many delicious restaurants and pastry shops.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Loved for its long sandy shoreline and natural wonders that will leave anyone who visits in awe, Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a once-in-a-lifetime visit. In the beautiful county of Clatsop County, Cannon Beach is home to an array of beautiful attractions that make this location a hidden gem awaiting to admire. This city of 1,690 people's most famous feature is the impressive geological formation named Haystack Rock. Haystack Rock is a special 235-foot monolith that draws in an array of visitors. It is a magical feature of the Oregon Coast’s geological timeline, as Haystack Rock formed millions of years ago by intense lava flows, which curated many of the immense capes and headlands along the stunning coast of Cannon Beach.
Pristine waters that wash upon soft sands, green cliffs that tower over blue waters, and enormous redwoods that have outlived generations upon generations are just some outstanding features the US Pacific Coast has to offer all those who visit. When paired with the charm, culture, architecture, and communities in these underrated small towns, the Pacific Coast will rise to number one on anyone's bucket list.
