This Beach Town Road Trip Along America's West Coast Is The Ultimate Adventure
Lauren
Author
Have you ever dreamt of taking a road trip along the beautiful West Coast? With so much extraordinary beauty around every corner, traveling by car down the Pacific Coast is one of the most magnificent adventures you could ever experience. We’ve made an amazing itinerary to follow – starting in Northern Washington and ending down in Southern California, you’ll stop at some of the best West Coast beach towns on this epic road trip experience.
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1. Port Townsend, Washington
The adventure begins in the charming town of Port Townsend, Washington. Located just over 56 miles North of Seattle, this coastal community is known for its beautiful Victorian-style buildings and stunning scenery.
The incredible views of the ocean are some of the most beautiful in the Pacific Northwest. Plus, Port Townsend has great access to some wonderful saltwater beaches from Chetzemoka Park, North Beach County Park, and Point Hudson. In the warmer months, you can enjoy the water!
The town itself sits right along the beautiful shore, and visitors can enjoy the various shops and eateries in the area. There are also plenty of cozy options for lodging if you choose to stay the night.
2. Long Beach, Washington
The next stop on your trip is what’s known as “the world’s longest beach”: Long Beach, Washington! Perfect for a road trip along the coast, Long Beach is technically the world’s longest driveable beach- but there’s a lot to be seen outside of the car, too.
About four hours South of Port Townsend, the incredible beaches of Long Beach magically showcase the Pacific Ocean. There are seven public beaches in the town, but Long Beach itself is actually an official state highway!
After you visit the quaint town of Long Beach, you’ll want to check out the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. Located on the Long Beach Peninsula, this lighthouse is one of the only ones in Washington that’s open to the public. Not to mention, Cape Disappointment was also the northernmost campsite of the Lewis and Clark expedition! Visit the nearby Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to learn more about the history of the area.
3. Newport, Oregon
Crossing the state line into Oregon, your next stop is the family-friendly town of Newport. This place is awesome for so many reasons- it has two lighthouses, an amazing aquarium, and tons of opportunities for viewing wildlife. Not to mention, the beaches are some of the most picturesque in all of the Pacific Northwest.
Established in 1873, the Yaquina Head Light is a must-see on Oregon’s coast. Overlooking the magnificent waves of the Pacific, the lighthouse offers daily tours- but be sure to check the Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site website ahead of time, because opening times may vary.
Heading into the charming town, you can experience some unique shopping, seafood dining, and other activities for families. The aquarium in Newport is actually the highest-rated in the state! But keep in mind that the beaches themselves offer some excellent, uninhibited viewing opportunities.
4. Florence, Oregon
After visiting Newport, the next stop on this West Coast road trip is Florence, Oregon. Home to a quaint downtown area as well as some of Oregone’s finest beaches, Florence is often referred to as “Oregon’s Coastal Playground” for good reason.
Aside from the breathtaking natural scenery that you’ll experience as you drive into town, there’s so much to do in Florence. Just about an hour South from the last stop in Newport, Florence’s beaches are known as being a superb place to visit, especially during the Spring.
Historic Old Town Florence is the perfect place to eat, shop, and take in the delightful coastal vibes. Set right on the Siuslaw River, you can explore all of the unique stores while overlooking the stunning natural beauty of the area. If you visit on a Saturday, be sure to see if the boardwalk’s farmer’s market is open – it’s the perfect place to grab a snack before you hit the road!
5. Eureka, California
You’ve officially made it into California, the Golden State! After about five hours of driving South from Florence, you’ll next stop in the coastal gem of Eureka – a city full of intriguing history and natural wonders right on the Pacific Ocean.
This colorful city was founded during the California Gold Rush and was once a bustling logging community. Today, it is the largest coastal city North of San Fransisco and is known for its beautiful Victorian-style architecture. The Carson Mansion, built in 1884, is considered one of the most impressive homes of its kind in the U.S.
The region is considered a gateway to the Redwood Forest, which is definitely a must-see if you’re nearby. Pictured here is the Redwood Highway: a brilliantly beautiful scenic drive that is an experience you’ll never forget. Be sure to use caution on the road – this highway is best experienced while driving slowly!
6. Fort Bragg, California
Three hours South of Eureka, your West Coast journey continues into the seaside town of Fort Bragg. Home to more impressive natural beauty and a laid-back atmosphere, you’ll enjoy exploring this spot along the Mendocino Coast.
Fort Bragg is home to the famous Glass Beach – a spot located at the Southern end of MacKerricher State Park. The colorful pieces mixed in with beach pebbles are the result of the area’s past as a dumpsite – the remains of glass bottles and cans are now smooth bits of glass that visitors love to photograph. Be sure to check out this spot, but keep in mind it is illegal to take the glass!
The beaches around Fort Bragg are well-loved for sunbathing and swimming, and the coastal beauty of this region is pretty mind-blowing. In addition to spending time in the water, you’ll also love the hiking and exploring opportunities in this special region of the Mendocino Coast.
7. Montara, California
About four hours South of Fort Bragg, you’re going to pass through San Fransisco and stop in Montara! Known as one of the best beaches near the City of Fog, Montara is a relaxed seaside community full of coastal charm. With dramatically beautiful cliffs and golden sand throughout, you’ll see why this stunning town is well worth a stop.
Pictured above are wild mustard flowers on some farmland in Montara – an example of the postcard-worthy beauty you’ll see when you enter this town. Montara really is a small town – with a population of fewer than 3,000 people, this stop along your road trip will feel much more secluded than some of the previous locations on this itinerary. It is the perfect town to grab a seaside rental and enjoy the salty ocean air.
Driving through the cozy town of Montara may feel like you’re on the edge of the world. In person, these towering, rocky cliffs are nothing short of mesmerizing, and bring to mind the idea of the “Golden Coast.” These epic views are simply unmatched. If you want to get out and explore, the sandy areas are great for sunbathing and exploring. But be warned: these areas can be dangerous for swimmers. You’ll likely see experienced surfers if you spend time at the beach.
8. Cayucos, California
After leaving Montara, you’ll drive for around 4 hours and reach the town of Cayucos. A delightful town on California’s central coast, Cayucos has a lot to offer all year round. We suspect this town will be one of your favorite stops, for many reasons!
This is another tiny town on California’s coast, but the beach here is wonderful for swimming! In the summer, you’ll enjoy some very lovely weather while exploring all this seaside community has to offer.
If you decide to leave the beach and explore the town, you’ll find some amazing options for dining and shopping. The coffee in Cayucos’s downtown area is well-loved, and if you choose to stay here overnight, you’ll find some great options for accommodation that are complete with beautiful views.
9. Laguna Beach, California
You’ve made it to Southern California: home to some of the country’s most splendidly beautiful locations! In Laguna Beach, you can soak up the sun, enjoy the water, and explore the adorable community and natural beauty that surrounds you.
Located about four and a half hours South of your last stop on Cayucos, Laguna Beach is a small town in Orange County that encapsulates the idea of “California Dreaming”. It’s known for its breathtaking scenery, beautiful shores, tide pools, and many art galleries.
Many spots here are popular for swimming and surfing – if you’re doing this road trip during the Summer months, this is the stop where you’ll want to swim! Though the beach is still enjoyable in the winter (maybe bring a wet suit).
10. La Jolla, California
Last on this epic road trip (but certainly not least) is the gorgeous La Jolla – a wonderful beach in San Diego. After driving from Laguna (and after possibly taking detours to experience Newport Beach or Encinitas), you’ll conclude this once-in-a-lifetime trip in “The Jewell” of San Diego County.
The Cove is an area of La Jolla that’s famous for snorkeling. You’ll find that the waters of this section are quite calm, and a high level of marine life can be found here. Seals and Sea Lions are often seen lounging around – even in the middle of the beach!
You’ll notice that the vibe of La Jolla is quite upscale- after enjoying all of the outdoor activities and the gorgeous blue water, you can experience some incredible dining here, as well as boutique shopping.
Find five of America's best beaches in this video from OnlyInYourState. Keep an eye out for some of our West Coast favorites:
This itinerary features some of the best West Coast beach towns and is planned with manageable drive times in between each stop. Whether you make it to all ten of these locations or only pick a few of your favorites, you’re sure to have an unforgettable road trip adventure.
Have you been to any of these U.S. beach towns? Where did you go on your best West Coast road trip? If there are other places that you’d add to this list let us know in the comments!
These 16 Iconic Scenic Drives In The USA Will Fuel Your Wanderlust
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Road Trips On The West Coast
What are some of the best drives on the West Coast?
The West Coast has some pretty iconic drives like Highway 101 along the coast or the Whidbey Scenic Isle in Washington. If you enjoy a scenic drive we think these are some of the best drives on the West Coast:
- Whidbey Scenic Isle Way: This incredible PNW drive can only be reached via a ferry ride to Whidbey Island. As you drive north you'll encounter charming small town after charming small town, with beautiful views of the ocean, hidden gem beaches, and historic landmarks. This scenic road is only about 54 miles long, but it makes for a lovely quiet drive with lots of places to stop for a relaxing walk or special treat at a cute cafe.
- Avenue Of The Giants: The redwood forest in Northern California is an awe-inspiring place to explore. The 31-mile Avenue Of The Giants is about as enchanting as you can get. Even though it is only 31 miles long it takes a good 2.5 hours to complete the drive. You'll shoot right through Humboldt Redwoods State Park surrounded by ancient redwoods that look like they could come alive at any second and squint down on you like a tiny ant. The drive is both exhilarating and sometimes ominous, but one of our favorite West Coast drives of all time.
- Oregon's Highway 101: The Oregon section of the iconic Highway 101 travels the entire length of the state. The California and Washington sections are scenic, but there is something pretty special about the Oregon Coast that we keep coming back to again and again. You'll love the quaint beach towns, epic sandy beaches, and gorgeous ocean views all along the drive. A drive along Highway 101 should be on your bucket list.
Experience any of these West Coast drives in style by renting an RV from RVShare. There is no need to spend a fortune on your own when it's quick and easy to rent one for your trip.