Best West Coast Beaches
Beaches along the West Coast are truly unique, offering a wide variety of picture-perfect coastlines that beg to be shared on social media
Enjoy the ocean breeze and and laid-back vibe of these West Coast beaches. You'll have a variety to choose from when planning your next vacation.
1. Cannon Beach, OR: Best Artsy Beach
Cannon Beach on Oregon's North Coast does double duty as a quaint art community and a gorgeous beach. National Geographic Magazine listed the beach among the "100 Most Beautiful Places in the World." Stimulate your creativity at any of the many art galleries or by strolling the flat and silky sands. Imposing Haystack Rock just offshore provides a refuge for puffins, murres and cormorants. For a good workout, hike the shoreline south to Hug Point to explore tide pools. Alternatively, explore coastal forests on the Tillamook Head National Recreation Trail to Indian Beach. At the end of either hike, sit down to a romantic meal at one of the cozy beachfront restaurants.
2. Moonstone Beach, CA: Most Intimate and Photogenic
Moonstone Beach in Trinidad is a hidden gem among West Coast beaches, beloved by locals for its quiet and friendly charm. Located on the mouth of the Little River, Moonstone keeps the surfers happy with good waves, while kids splash in the slow current of the shallow river mouth. When it’s time to get something to eat, you can enjoy beachfront dining at the Moonstone Grill (100 Moonstone Beach Rd, Trinidad, CA.
3. Santa Cruz Beach, CA: Most Fun for Kids
"Under the boardwalk, down by the sea..." The Drifter's song wasn't necessarily written about the Santa Cruz Beach and Boardwalk, but it might have been. What's not to like? There's a huge boardwalk with fun rides including the Big Dipper as well as miniature golf, bowling, arcades, cotton candy and music. Plus, you'll find a beach for building sand castles, playing volleyball, swimming and surfing. Santa Cruz’s nearby fishing pier has seafood restaurants and views of sea lions and harbor seals. It's good old-fashioned family fun that you'll remember for years. For an extra adventure, climb aboard the little Roaring Camp Railroad train that heads up to the redwood forest.
4. Venice Beach, CA: Best Urban Beach
No need to decide between taking an urban escape or having fun in the sun. At Venice Beach, you can play in the Pacific, but enjoy the cultural benefits of Los Angeles together with a dose of SoCal cool. The beach offers three miles of sun-warmed sand, but the real entertainment's on Ocean Front Walk, with dozens of eclectic street performers like acrobats, musicians, jugglers, fire-eaters, magicians and fortune-tellers. The funky shops amuse, and so does the people watching. Up for action? Play basketball, handball or tennis on the public courts, or simply work on your tan!
5. Avalon, CA: Best Get-Away-From-It-All Beach
Set your watch to island time and head straight to Avalon on Catalina, just off the coast of Southern California. This small coastal community is as rustic and charming as a vintage postcard, with a golf cart as the vehicle of choice. The harbor is the heart of the town, with its sandy beach, boats of all kinds and fishing piers. You can play a little golf on the outlying golf course and stroll through the botanical garden. The rest of the island is undeveloped, and a herd of bison roam around, introduced in the 1920s when a Western film was being filmed here.
Ready to travel? Find your hotel in Cannon Beach, Trinidad, Santa Cruz, Venice Beach, Avalon.
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