The Best Small Towns in Pacific Coast for a Weekend Retreat

From scenic beaches to wooded wonderlands, The Pacific Coast is famed for its geographical gems. While the West Coast is dotted with metropolises like San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle, there is an abundance of quaint villages and idyllic beachside communities tucked into the coastal landscape. Including enchanting European-style locales like Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, and historic seaside destinations like Port Townsend, Washington, these charming small towns are ideal for peaceful weekend retreats.

Astoria, Oregon

The oldest town in the state of Oregon, Astoria is cloaked in historic charm and mystique. Resting quietly at the mouth of the Columbia River, the sleepy coastal town is adorned with historic buildings, dockside restaurants and breweries, and Queen Anne-style mansions, including the Flavel House Museum, which is open daily for tours. Movie buffs can explore the Oregon Film Museum, which features memorabilia from The Goonies, filmed in Astoria. Those with a predilection for the supernatural can take the Astoria Ghost Tour, exploring the shadowy town lore and allegedly haunted locations in a town rich with history and mystery.

Bainbridge Island, Washington

Catch a 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle, Washington, to the enchanting Bainbridge Island. The emerald jewel of Puget Sound, the charming island boasts scenic mountain views, lush greenery, and a vibrant downtown community. Take a stroll down Winslow Way, which is lined with a treasure trove of shops and art galleries and hosts a First Friday Art Walk from May to October. The local restaurants offer an array of cuisine, from homestyle comfort food at the Streamliner Diner to bistro-style dishes and classic cocktails at Agate Restaurant. Soak in the island's natural beauty by exploring the Bloedel Reserve, a sprawling 150-acre preserve featuring a peaceful Japanese garden and orchid-lined trails. With the perfect balance of urban delights and natural wonders, Bainbridge Island encapsulates all the magic of the Pacific Northwest.

Bodega Bay, California

Residing two hours north of San Fransisco is the quaint village of Bodega Bay. Populated by just over 1,000 residents, the quiet coastal town is an ideal destination for a weekend retreat from the city. With sparkling wharfside views of the Pacific Ocean, serene hiking and biking trails, antique shops, and seafood restaurants, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Fans of Alfred Hitchcock can explore film locations from the classic thriller The Birds, including the Potter Schoolhouse and The Tides Wharf & Restaurant. Those daring enough to recreate the infamous bird attack scene from the film can step into the phone booth outside the Bodega Country Store and pose with Tippi Hedren's mannequin. For another Birds-themed adventure, The Birds Cafe offers hearty fish and chips baskets and outdoor seating overlooking the breathtaking bay.

Carmel-By-The-Sea, California

Situated in the Monterey Peninsula on the Central Coast of California is a fairytale village called Carmel-By-The-Sea, also known simply as Carmel. Complete with quaint courtyards and hidden passageways, the town square is just one mile wide, but it holds more restaurants per capita than any other small town in the US, serving everything from European-style bistro dishes to California coastal cuisine. There are over 40 charming hotels and inns to choose from, all a short stroll to boutiques, galleries, wine-tasting rooms, and the warm white sands of Carmel Beach. With roots dating back to the 1700s, the town is rich with history and renowned for its storybook-style cottages, which adorn the addressless streets. A popular haven for artistic luminaries, Carmel’s former residents include Jack London, Upton Sinclair, Betty White, and Clint Eastwood, who was once the town Mayor. Perfect for a weekend retreat, the idyllic setting of Carmel-By-The-Sea is one for the storybooks.

Laguna Beach, California

In the heart of Orange County, an hour south of Los Angeles, lies Laguna Beach. A six-mile stretch of cozy coves and seaside cliffs, there are plenty of activities packed into the small surfside town, including whale-watching, skimboarding, wine tasting, and shopping. With its vibrant arts community, Laguna Beach boasts over 100 pieces of public art, galleries, and artist studios. Various art festivals run throughout the year, most notably the First Thursdays Art Walk every month. One of the largest open spaces in Orange County, Crystal Cove State Park, captures the area’s natural beauty, featuring sparkling tidepools, sandy beaches, and peaceful hiking trails. A popular setting for TV shows and movies, visitors can scope out famous filming locations from Laguna Beach, The OC, and Beaches. From arts and culture to flora and fauna, the picture-perfect town is a true Southern California gem.

Mendocino, California

Sitting on the coast of Northern California along the Pacific Coast Highway, Mendocino is an adorable seaside town with New England-style charm. Its walkable streets are perfect for a peaceful stroll in the ocean breeze, lined with quaint cottages, gift shops, galleries, and an array of eateries. Offering picturesque stays in Victorian homes are lodging options like the Joshua Grindle Inn and the Blair House Inn. The latter is a favorite amongst Murder She Wrote fans, who may recognize the house as Jessica Fletcher’s home from the hit sleuth show, which was filmed in and around Mendocino. Surrounding the quiet coastal town is a playground of natural wonders. From majestic Redwood forests to the bejeweled Glass Beach in the neighboring Fort Bragg, boundless beauty awaits to be explored.

Newport, Oregon

The colorful coastal village of Newport is an Oregon Coast favorite. Lined with seafood cafes, gift shops, and wacky museums, like Ripley’s Believe It or Not and The Wax Works, the town’s Historic Bayfront district is an eclectic tourist spot. Pop into Mo’s Seafood and Chowder for a hearty bread bowl of their famous clam chowder, followed by a stroll to see the adorable sea lions barking and basking by the docks. Spend an afternoon at the Oregon Coast Aquarium to discover more cute sea critters, and take a quick jaunt north to check out the allegedly haunted Yaquina Head Lighthouse. For a unique stay, book lovers can slip between the covers of the Sylvia Beach Hotel. Offering an unplugged retreat, the literature-themed inn has an upstairs library in lieu of TVs and ornately decorated rooms named after famous writers like Emily Dickinson and Ernest Hemingway. The Oceanview Library also serves complimentary cocoa and mulled wine in the evenings, making it the perfect spot to cozy up with a book after a long day of coastal adventures.

Rockaway Beach, Oregon

Tucked between the mountains and the sea, Rockaway Beach is a secret treasure on the northern coast of Oregon. With less foot traffic than other Oregon beach towns, the sandy shores are peaceful and typically uncrowded. There are plenty of hotels and beach house rentals to choose from, many with balconies and pristine, unobstructed views of the Pacific. Antique shops, boutiques, and dining outfits stretch through the small town, running parallel to the Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad. Hop on a vintage locomotive, which chugs alongside the Tillamook Bay and Oregon Coast on seasonal 90-minute excursions. After an afternoon of beachcombing and train-riding, get a bite to eat at Pronto Pup. The fast-food joint’s legacy dates back to 1941 when, according to corn dog lore, they invented the revolutionary snack on a stick at their former hot dog stand during a rainy day in the Pacific Northwest.

Seaside, Oregon

Located 90 minutes west of Portland, Oregon, Seaside is a popular coastal destination for both family vacations and romantic excursions. Its bustling promenade is lined with souvenir boutiques, saltwater taffy shops, tasting rooms, and the Seaside Carousel Mall, which features a rideable whimsical carousel in its center. Perfect for youngsters, the Seaside Aquarium features a hands-on marine life center and the chance to feed the adorable seals fish a la carte. For those warm summer days, grab an ice cream cone and head down to the beach, or rent a swan-shaped boat to float down the Necanicum River. There are plenty of indoor activities for those chilly coastal afternoons as well, like the Funland Arcade or the historic Times Theatre and Public House. No matter what the weather brings, Seaside brings the fun.

Port Townsend, Washington

Sitting two hours north of Seattle, Port Townsend is a Pacific Northwest gem. Revered as Washington State’s Victorian Seaport and Arts Community, the quaint village-by-the-sea is surrounded by sparkling water, majestic mountain ranges, and serene beaches. Its historic downtown district is lined with old-fashioned lamp posts and gorgeous Victorian architecture, offering an idyllic setting for window shopping and wandering. Ranging from coffee houses to upscale restaurants, there is a myriad of dining options to choose from. Many of the local watering holes, like Sirens and The Hilltop Tavern, host live music and events nightly. After a night on the town, check into The Old Consulate Inn, a 135-year-old Victorian B&B with sweeping views of the Puget Sound. For a more low-key accommodation, the town offers an array of motor lodges, hotels, and nearby camping options. Steeped in Old World charm and surrounded by natural beauty, the portside town is the perfect destination for a weekend reset.

Discover Coastal Serenity on the Pacific Coast

There’s something warm and inviting about a small town. Better yet, a small town by the sea. Whether they boast panoramic ocean vistas and majestic mountain ranges or historic downtowns lined with boutiques and local eateries, these coastal gems sparkle in their own unique way. From the tip of northern Washington to the heart of southern California, The Pacific Coast has much to offer in the vein of weekend retreats.