Best Beaches on the West Coast

Ready for an amazing beach getaway? Read on... The West Coast is a spectacular stretch of coastline, from the golden sandy beaches in Southern California to rugged coastline in Oregon.

This is exactly why I decided to share my favorite coastal stops on the West Coast so that you can use my guide as an inspiration to plan your own road trip. My guide has the beaches I recommend from my four week road trip, and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.

Best Beaches on the West Coast - Southern California

Southern California’s coastline is iconic for a reason. Stretching from Orange County down to San Diego, these beaches are famous for their dramatic scenery.

Thousand Steps Beach, Laguna Beach, California

This is one of my favorite beaches in California.

We started the drive to the beach early in the morning. We parked along Pacific Coast Highway near South Laguna, which already felt exciting.

First walk down the famous staircase. Even though it’s not actually a thousand steps I assure you it's a workout!

By the time we hit the sand, the views were spectacular, with turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, and that California coastline vibe.

I recommend walking along the shoreline next, then checking out tide pools and cool rock formations. Be sure to make time for a refreshing swim after.

One thing I’m happy I got to see here were the cliffs around the beach that made everything feel like a secret spot.

Climbing back up the stairs later was tough but worth it.

What I loved best:

My personal highlight on this California beach was the magnificent natural scenery with high sandstone walls on both sides.

Dog Beach

This beach in San Diego is one of my favorite spots for furry friends. It’s easily one of the best beaches in California if you want to share the sand and surf with your pup.

The drive to Dog Beach (Google Maps pin) will take you just a few minutes from downtown San Diego.

I love that it gives dogs the freedom to run, play, and splash in the waves—it’s pure joy to watch.

My favorite part was the happy atmosphere since both dogs and people seemed to be having the best time.

Carlsbad State Beach, SoCal

This was one of my favorite Southern California day trips when I moved to the West Coast!

We drove north from San Diego to Carlsbad State Beach in about forty minutes. The highway was hugging the coast before dropping us into the small downtown. We spent five days in an affordable vacation rental.

My favorite part was watching the sunset from the bluffs. The colors over the Pacific were absolutely breathtaking.

You can enjoy swimming and surfing. Oh, and don't forget just simply strolling along the boardwalk. Moreover, the charming town of Carlsbad is right nearby for dining and shopping.

I can assure you that Carlsbad was everything you'd want from a Southern California beach. I parked along the top bluff, and followed the stairway down to warm sands.

Dinner at Bluewater Grill capped off the day, with fresh seafood in easygoing setting that made us feel right at home.

Best Beaches on the West Coast - Northern California

I love that this stretch of coastline is less about sunbathing and more about atmosphere. We loved exploring and discovering hidden coves, and coastal trails.

Glass Beach

This is one of my favorite West Coast beaches. We drove north along Highway 1 from Mendocino, the road twisting between cliffs and redwoods before dropping into Fort Bragg. I instantly thought our journey was worth it!

I love that the beach is covered in heaps of colorful sea glass. These are remnants of the area’s past that have been transformed by the ocean into something beautiful. You will reach this spot in about 3.5 hours from San Francisco.

You can start by walking along the shore and see the sunlight sparkle on the pieces of glass mixed into the sand. It felt magical and one-of-a-kind.

What I loved best:

I loved that this place used to be a dumping ground, but nature, with heaps of patience, turned that into art!

Best Beaches on the West Coast - Washington

Washington’s beaches are defined by their raw beauty and striking contrasts.

Fort Worden

This is one of my favorite West Coast beaches for a historic trip. We drove about two hours northwest from Seattle, crossing the Hood Canal Bridge and winding through forested roads before reaching Port Townsend.

Besides the beach, my favorite part was exploring the old bunkers and batteries at Fort Worden which we did first when we arrived. After, head to the bluff trails for panoramic views of Puget Sound.

Finally, there is great beachcombing. You can also spend the night camping.

What I loved best:

You should know that the beach was long and slightly rough, with driftwood so big it was surreal.

Cama Beach State Beach, Washington

I think this beach park in Washington is one of the best family-friendly beaches to visit on a road trip to the Pacific Northwest. Why? I love that it preserves historic waterfront cabins, giving you a chance to stay right on the beach in a nostalgic setting.

We drove a little over an hour north from Seattle, crossing bridges onto Camano Island.

My favorite part was waking up in a cozy cabin and walking just a few steps to the shoreline. The views of Puget Sound were spectacular. No, there is no fine sand here. Even so, it is one of my favourite beaches on the West Coast. Heads up, you should know that the beach is small with stones and driftwood.

Jetty Island Park, West Coast

This beach in Everett, Washington, is one of my favorite summertime escapes. It’s easily one of the best hidden gems in the Puget Sound area on West Coast.

We drove north from Seattle in about forty minutes, reaching Everett and the bay.

I love that Jetty Island Park is only accessible by boat or a seasonal passenger ferry. This alone makes it feel like a secret island adventure just minutes from the city. The ride was short.

First you should make time for relaxing on the long sandy beaches (about two miles worth!). You can sunbathe, swim and even fly a kite.

Heads up, the sand was shallow enough to walk far out without losing your footing.

What I loved best:

I found the warm waters along the shore especially great for families. Jetty Island Park is one of the most underrated beach spots for families with kids in the region.

Cape Disappointment State Beach

This place in Washington is easily one of the best hidden gems on the West Coast for beach, adventure and history lovers.

First, we drove north from Astoria, crossing the bridge over the Columbia River before winding through evergreens into Washington’s coast.

I instantly loved how Cape Disappointment State Beach sits at the mouth of the Columbia River. You'll see crashing waves, and historic lighthouses.

My favorite part was first hiking on the trails to the North Head Lighthouse and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

I found the the views incredible, especially on misty days.

What I loved best:

For me, Cape Disappointment State Beach is one of the beaches on the West Coast because it's peaceful and unique!

Best Beaches on the West Coast - Oregon

Oregon’s coastline is famously wild and scenic. It offered uninterrupted access to some of the most striking beaches on the West Coast.

Horsfall Beach

This beach on the Oregon Coast is one of my favorite wild escapes. It’s easily one of the best hidden gems for a romantic West Coast weekend.

You see, we drove north from Coos Bay in less than twenty minutes, the road passing through heaps of dunes and patches of pine before opening to the Pacific.

I love that it stretches for miles with heaps of dunes, wide sandy shores (of course!), and crashing surf. It was an underrated spot compared to more crowded Oregon beaches.

My favorite part was first exploring the towering sand dunes behind the beach.

Later, we found the beach ideal for long walks and beach-combing. Finally, we enjoyed watching the sunset over the endless horizon of the Pacific Ocean.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Chris and I both absolutely love the Cannon Beach, and have been many times. We ended our road trip here weeks later (around 1,000 miles north up and the coast from where we started).

I feel that this beach needs no introduction because of the photos. I was absolutely blown away by the surreal beauty of the landscape here. Yes, it is truly one of the most spectacular beaches in Oregon and, in fact, on the entire West Coast!

First thing we did was drive into town and immediately saw Haystack Rock rising out of the ocean. It was one of those magic moments you see in photos but better in real life.

You can park near the main beach access and walk.

Next we explored the wide sandy beach, which felt like a hidden gem even though it’s famous.

Later, check out the tide pools near Haystack Rock, and this was my favorite part. Seeing heaps of starfish and little crabs felt unusual and exciting, like nature put on a show.

After that we wandered into town, which is right next to the beach, and found small shops, cafes, and art galleries. We grabbed lunch and sat outside.

What I loved best:

For me, Cannon Beach is one of the best West Coast beaches.

My personal highlight was an amazing fish and chips at Ecola Seafoods Restaurant & Market where are refueled for lunch.

The beach itself was vast, flat, a real standout.

Hi, I'm Ema. I'm the face behind VacationIdea.com. My husband, son and I are frequent travelers and have spent years on the road discovering some of the best places to visit in the USA. We base ourselves in a new place every 4 weeks weeks which has allowed us to experience each destination as a local. I love to chase unique things to do near me and revisit old favorites for a cool, fresh perspective. I'm also eager to learn from my fellow travelers to see what works for people and what doesn't. Whether you like great sunsets, hidden gems, places of mystery, famous attractions, or underrated experiences, here you'll find all of those recommendations from locals that won me over. Let's explore together! I live in the USA with my husband and son. More about us.