Most people think that the best American destination for the summer is the East Coast, which is home to stunning mountain lakes and quaint small towns that make for relaxing and quaint landscapes, completely omitting what the West Coast has to offer.
However, the West Coast is filled with scenic roads, historic landmarks, and charming towns that mix constant sunshine and heat in California with the cold breeze from the Pacific Ocean and winter wonderlands of Alaska. Discover the best West Coast towns to visit on a summer vacation.
10 Chelan, Washington
The West Coast has its share of beautiful lakes that can serve as the ideal attraction for a relaxing summer vacation, far from the pollution and noise of the big cities. Chelan, located in Chelan County in Washington, is a small city famous for being the main gateway to the beautiful Lake Chelan and the state park with the same name.
Besides fishing and camping by the lake, one of the main things to do in the Lake Chelan area is touring along the wineries to experience what this gorgeous spot's vineyards have to offer. Overall, this spot is among the best small towns on the West Coast for summer vacations, thanks to its sprawling scenery and natural landscapes that appear minimally touched by people.
- What to do in Chelan: Tour through Chelan's wineries for tastings (only for adults), Hike along the many mountains and trails, Relax at one of the outdoor heated pools
- Landmarks and attractions: Lake Chelan State Park, Sidewaters Water Park
9 Newport, Oregon
Found at the heart of Oregon's coast, the importance of Newport goes back to the 19th century, when it served as the main docking spot for imports to the state. To help guide the ships to safety, the Yaquina Head Lighthouse was built on Newport's coast, and, to this date, this is the tallest lighthouse in all of Oregon.
Today, Newport is among the coolest towns on the West Coast to visit in summer. The bay offers attractions that are great for marine enthusiasts, like being able to go face-to-face with local endemic species and learning about the coast's rich past in one of the many guided tours.
- What to do in Newport: Visit Oregon's largest aquarium, Take a guided tour along the coastal scenery, Experience the more modern side of Newport in its Deco District
- Landmarks and attractions: Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site, Oregon Coast Aquarium
8 Santa Monica, California
Giving tourists and locals the best of what coastal California has to offer, Santa Monica is a city with its own built-in culture that mixes a sense of freedom and an artistic edge to put a colorful twist after every corner.
Its artsy and stylish cityscape directly meets with the beach landscape of a vibrant venue that makes up the Santa Monica Pier, which is ideal for exploration and offers plenty of food stalls and eateries, shops, and even amusement rides.
- What to do in Santa Monica: Meet the unique characters that roam around Santa Monica beach, Enjoy the never-ending fair at the pier, Bike along the Marvin Braude Bike Trail
- Landmarks and attractions: Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Pier, Original Muscle Beach, Pacific Park
7 Vancouver, British Columbia
Priding itself on "scenic views, mild climate, and friendly people", Vancouver is the most popular destination in Canada's British Columbia. Although it's not the US, it's still among the best towns on the West Coast in summer. The city even made TIME's top 50 list of the World's Greatest Places thanks to its high-class, versatile cuisine, receiving its first Michelin Guide in 2022, joining Toronto in this prestigious accomplishment.
There are also a lot of things to do in Vancouver beyond sampling its cuisine, like appreciating the wide variety of cultures that have dominated each of the city's districts and attending the festivals that turn Vancouver into a unique spectacle.
6 Florence, Oregon
Found right at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, Florence is one of the many historic towns scattered throughout Oregon's shoreline. It offers both freshwater lakes and miles of sandy beaches perfect for horseback riding while admiring famous landmarks, such as the Sea Lion Caves and the Haceta Head Lighthouse.
The town is also known for its specialized eateries, able to cater to even the pickiest of palates.
5 San Juan Islands, Washington
Not quite the tropical paradise that can be found in Puerto Rico's capital of San Juan (which offers plenty to do), the San Juan Islands in Washington are still a great place to journey through when planning a trip to the best West Coast towns in summer.
The "islands" are an archipelago off the coast of Washington, right next to the border with Vancouver and the Victoria Islands of British Columbia. Each one of the islands offers a different set of activities to enjoy and landscapes to admire, so try to plan a schedule to see all of them.
Travelers can enjoy an ideal vacation if they plan a trip to Washington's San Juan Islands properly.
4 Skagway, Alaska
It might come as a surprise to some, but Alaska is considered part of the West Coast, and the small city of Skagway is a mix of scenic landscapes surrounded by snowy mountains and gold rush-era charm.
All of this has made the city of Skagway in Alaska a popular port for cruise ships, granting visitors the opportunity to learn about its rich history and bask in the cold scenery.
Skagway is also part of the White Pass & Yukon Scenic Railway route, making for a perfectly scenic trip around the mountains and coast.
3 Carmel-By-The-Sea, California
Photo by Hendrik Cornelissen on Unsplash
As a much lesser-known part of California's coastline, but with the same amount of natural beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea stands out thanks to its uniquely odd attractions, white shores (with some of the beaches being entirely pet-friendly), and fairy-tale style cottages that add a delightful touch of magic to the cityscape.
It also has a deep connection with culture and arts, hosting several exhibits that encourage local artists to showcase their original pieces for everyone to admire. Overall, there are plenty of superb things to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea that earn it a place among the best vacation towns on the West Coast to visit in summer.
2 Portland, Oregon
It's quite funny how both the East Coast and West Coast have a tourism-centered city named Portland. In the case of the West Coast, Oregon's Portland is the state's largest city, with a population of over 600,000 people. However, it still manages to retain its natural and coastal charm by maintaining its outdoor areas clean for travelers to enjoy, earning it a place among the best summer vacation towns on the West Coast.
Portland is also home to the Oregon Zoo, the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River, where visitors can learn about the over 165 species that are being taken care of within the facilities.
1 Sequim, Washington
Ever dreamed about walking through an entirely blossomed field of lavender? That's exactly what's to be expected if visiting Sequim during the summer, one of the coolest and most beautiful summer vacation towns on the West Coast. Nicknamed the "lavender capital of North America", this arid wonderland grants visitors direct access to the Olympic Mountains and serves as the cultural center for the Sequim-Dungness Valley.
Despite only getting 23 inches of rain per year, the land still manages to stay green for the most part, giving a picturesque landscape that can take anyone's breath away.
The name "Sequim" directly translates to "A place to hunt/shoot" in the S'Klallam language.
- What to do in Vancouver: Dine in Published on Main (voted Canada's best restaurant of 2022), Take a guided tour to learn about Vancouver's rich history, Explore the region's mountainous side
- Landmarks and attractions: Rainbow Park, Chinese Canadian Museum, Vancouver Aquarium
- What to do in Florence: Tour the coast on a dune buggy or horse ride, Gaze at the majesty of the whales during summer or fall, Experience a sandy thrill during sand boarding
- Landmarks and attractions: Haceta Head Lighthouse, Old Town, Sea Lion Caves
- What to do in the San Juan Islands: Hike or drive through the rural trails around the many mountains, Spot the whales at Orca Island, Explore the water in a guided kayak tour
- Landmarks and attractions: San Juan Historical Society and Museum, The Whale Museum, Alchemy Art Center
- What to do in Skagway: Take a day tour around the many historical buildings, Hike along Chilkoot Trail, Explore the remnants of Dyea
- Landmarks and attractions: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Rushin' Tailor's Quilt, Red Onion Brothel Museum
- What to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea: Take the famous Carmel scenic road, Walk around the old Germany-inspired architecture, Experience Carmel's artistic side in its many museums and galleries
- Landmarks and attractions: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, Monterey Bay Aquarium
- What to do in Portland: Treat the senses at the cultural district, Take the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls tour, Explore the city's buried past in the underground Shanghai tunnel tour, and unwind in the best parks in Portland
- Landmarks and attractions: Oregon Zoo, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Hoyt Arboretum
- What to do: Explore the trails at Olympic National Park, Go face to face with exotic mountainous fauna at the Olympic Game Farm
- Landmarks and attractions: Purple Haze Lavender Farm, Olympic National Park, Native Art Gallery