When you think of Washington beach towns, do you think of Ocean Shores and Long Beach? Our most popular little seaside cities are certainly amazing, but there’s something to be said for our smaller beach towns as well. The next time you’re craving the coast, visit one of these underrated spots.
- Westport
William Olson / Flickr From the scenic boardwalk to the Grays Harbor Lighthouse, Westport embodies all there is to love about a little beach town. Twin Harbors Beach State Park is the perfect spot for enjoying nature.
- Port Angeles
Jonathan Miske / Flickr It’s often labeled one of America’s greatest small towns by travel magazines, but sometimes Washingtonians pass up Port Angeles in favor of better known spots like the San Juan Islands. This little city can hold its own when it comes to food and entertainment, offering kayaking, antique shopping and wine tasting in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula.
- Port Townsend
Stew and Vee Carrington / Flickr A word of caution: Sometimes when people visit Port Townsend, they fall in love and end up wanting to live there. It’s just a two hour drive from Seattle, and you’ll find a lot of “big city” amenities in this small beach town - eclectic art, great shopping and delicious food. There’s also a big, beautiful stretch of beach to explore.
- Sequim
PTMurphus / Flickr How could Washington’s most underrated waterfront town not make this list? This lavender-filled spot near Olympic National Park is a charming place to see wildlife, walk on the beach and relax.
- Anacortes
Dana / Flickr Many people use Anacortes as their gateway to the more popular San Juan Islands, but this scenic little town has a lot to offer. If you’ve never seen a whale, their whale watching cruises are practically guaranteed to change that.
- Blaine
BebeZ / Flickr Blaine is nestled up next to the Canadian border. With clean, sandy beaches and one of the largest tideflats in the state, this is a great place to dig for clams and oysters. The neighboring community of Birch Bay is a quiet vacation spot for Western Washingtonians.
- Seabrook
karen / Flickr Seabrook is Washington’s newest beach village. Its spot on a scenic bluff means it has some incredible ocean views, which you can enjoy from your choice of walking paths and trails. Seabrook has become a fun vacation destination without losing its small town charm.
- Pacific Beach
Wildcat Dunny / Flickr You’ll find Pacific Beach in Grays Harbor County south of Moclips and 34 miles north of Ocean Shores. There’s never a bad time to visit, but if you can go at the end of February you’ll catch the Chocolate on the Beach Festival, which is as amazing as it sounds.
If you’re looking for an even more secluded beach experience, check out one of Washington’s lesser known beaches.
William Olson / Flickr
From the scenic boardwalk to the Grays Harbor Lighthouse, Westport embodies all there is to love about a little beach town. Twin Harbors Beach State Park is the perfect spot for enjoying nature.
Jonathan Miske / Flickr
It’s often labeled one of America’s greatest small towns by travel magazines, but sometimes Washingtonians pass up Port Angeles in favor of better known spots like the San Juan Islands. This little city can hold its own when it comes to food and entertainment, offering kayaking, antique shopping and wine tasting in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula.
Stew and Vee Carrington / Flickr
A word of caution: Sometimes when people visit Port Townsend, they fall in love and end up wanting to live there. It’s just a two hour drive from Seattle, and you’ll find a lot of “big city” amenities in this small beach town - eclectic art, great shopping and delicious food. There’s also a big, beautiful stretch of beach to explore.
PTMurphus / Flickr
How could Washington’s most underrated waterfront town not make this list? This lavender-filled spot near Olympic National Park is a charming place to see wildlife, walk on the beach and relax.
Dana / Flickr
Many people use Anacortes as their gateway to the more popular San Juan Islands, but this scenic little town has a lot to offer. If you’ve never seen a whale, their whale watching cruises are practically guaranteed to change that.
BebeZ / Flickr
Blaine is nestled up next to the Canadian border. With clean, sandy beaches and one of the largest tideflats in the state, this is a great place to dig for clams and oysters. The neighboring community of Birch Bay is a quiet vacation spot for Western Washingtonians.
karen / Flickr
Seabrook is Washington’s newest beach village. Its spot on a scenic bluff means it has some incredible ocean views, which you can enjoy from your choice of walking paths and trails. Seabrook has become a fun vacation destination without losing its small town charm.
Wildcat Dunny / Flickr
You’ll find Pacific Beach in Grays Harbor County south of Moclips and 34 miles north of Ocean Shores. There’s never a bad time to visit, but if you can go at the end of February you’ll catch the Chocolate on the Beach Festival, which is as amazing as it sounds.
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