10 Awesome Washington Coast Towns You’ve Got to Visit!

Washington’s coast isn’t one long strip of beach towns like Oregon’s. It’s split in two.

On one side, you’ve got the wild Pacific: huge empty beaches, surf breaks, and sea stacks. On the other, the Salish Sea: ferry towns, islands, and some of the best whale watching in the country.

Both are SO worth it. Here are the 10 Washington coast towns we keep going back to, what to do in each, and where to stay.

Quick Picks: Which Washington Coast Town Is Right for You?

• Classic beach weekend: Long Beach
• Surfing: Westport
• Families and driving on the beach: Ocean Shores
• Wild beaches and sea stacks: La Push
• Base for Olympic National Park: Port Angeles
• History and Victorian charm: Port Townsend
• Island hopping: Anacortes
• College-town energy plus mountains: Bellingham

Pacific Coast Towns

These are the towns on the open ocean. Expect wind, fog, massive beaches, and way fewer crowds than the Oregon coast.

1. Long Beach

Long Beach calls itself the World’s Longest Beach, and there’s literally a sign saying so. The peninsula has almost 30 miles of sand, so you’ll have zero problem finding a spot to lay out your towel (if the weather cooperates, that is).

Want to get moving? Here’s what to do:

• Drive on the beach: Yep, it’s legal on parts of the beach here. Stick to the posted rules and watch the tides.
• Walk or bike the Discovery Trail: About 8.5 miles along the dunes, mostly flat and paved.
• Ride a horse on the sand: A few local stables run beach rides.
• Check out Cape Disappointment: The state park at the south end of the peninsula has TWO lighthouses.

Kite flying is basically the town sport, thanks to the nonstop wind. The Washington State International Kite Festival takes over the beach every August, and the World Kite Museum is in town year-round.

Long Beach is also the closest Washington coast town to Oregon. Cross the Astoria-Megler Bridge and you’re in Astoria. In about an hour, you could be in Cannon Beach or poking around Fort Stevens State Park.

🏨 Where to stay in Long Beach: Hotels | Vacation homes

2. Westport

Westport is all about waves. It’s the surf town of the Washington coast, and even if you’ve never stood on a board, you can grab a lesson from a local shop.

Not a surfer? Same. There’s still plenty to do:

• Climb Grays Harbor Lighthouse: At 107 feet, it’s the tallest lighthouse in Washington. You can climb all 135 steps to the top for $5. It’s usually open Thursday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with shorter winter hours, so check the schedule before you go.
• Watch the surfers at Westhaven State Park: The jetty here is THE spot.
• Charter a fishing trip: Westport’s marina is packed with charter boats.
• Camp by the beach: Twin Harbors and Grayland Beach State Parks are both right down the road.

The best part? Westport is super underrated, so it rarely feels overrun with out-of-towners. After a full day out, hit up Blackbeard’s Brewing for a local beer and some pizza.

🏨 Where to stay in Westport: Hotels | Vacation homes

3. Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores is one of the most laid-back towns on the Washington coast. Long stretches of sandy beach, easy trails past lakes and dunes, and a whole lot of room to spread out.

• Drive on the beach: Like Long Beach, you can drive on the sand here. Follow the posted beach-driving rules.
• Ocean City State Park: Pines, dunes, and a campground. You’ll need a Discover Pass to park.
• Bird watching: Damon Point and the Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area are packed with shorebirds.
• Get on the water: Rent bikes, try stand-up paddleboarding, or book a deep-sea fishing charter.

Tummy rumbling? Drive about 20 minutes north to the Green Lantern Pub in Copalis Beach. No seriously, we went for brekkie and it was so filling we skipped lunch!

🏨 Where to stay in Ocean Shores: Hotels | Vacation homes

4. La Push

As wild as it is beautiful. La Push is a tiny village on the Quileute Reservation, surrounded by the coastal strip of Olympic National Park. Think driftwood piles, sea stacks, and beaches that feel like the edge of the world.

• First Beach: Right in town. No hike needed.
• Second Beach: Our favorite. A short forest trail drops you onto the beach, and you’ll rack up about 4 miles round trip once you explore. There’s a $10 parking fee at the trailhead (pay by phone or at the Lonesome Creek Store, and heads up, cell service is spotty).
• Third Beach: A little longer and quieter.

Just know this town is TINY. It’s barely more than a few streets, so book your stay early. Forks is about 20 minutes inland and has more options.

TIP: Check the tide chart before you hike. Some of these beaches get cut off at high tide.

🏨 Where to stay near La Push: La Push | Forks

Salish Sea Towns

These towns sit on Washington’s inland waters: the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound, and the bays up north. Calmer water, ferries everywhere, and some of the best whale watching around.

5. Port Angeles

If you’re doing Olympic National Park, Port Angeles is THE base. It’s the biggest town on the north side of the peninsula, and the park is basically in its backyard.

• Hurricane Ridge: About 17 miles up the road. The day lodge burned down in 2023, so there’s no food or water up top (just temporary restrooms). In winter, the road is usually only open Friday to Sunday, and chains are required November 1 to April 1. Check the park’s road status before you drive up.
• Lake Crescent: About 30 minutes west, with crazy clear water. Here’s our Lake Crescent guide.
• Salt Creek at Crescent Bay: Tide pools, ocean views, and a great spot to look for whales.
• Olympic Discovery Trail: Bike or walk right along the water.
• Hop over to Canada: The Coho ferry sails to Victoria, BC, in about 90 minutes. Bring your passport!

Day trips are easy from here, too. The Hole-in-the-Wall hike at Rialto Beach is about 1.5 hours away (but SO worth it), Sol Duc Hot Springs is about an hour, and the lavender fields of Sequim are less than 20 miles east.

Olympic National Park charges $30 per car, good for seven days, and they don’t take cash. Check out all our favorite things to do in Olympic National Park to plan your trip.

🏨 Where to stay in Port Angeles: Hotels | Vacation homes

6. Port Townsend

Port Townsend mixes old Victorian buildings with a ton of outdoor stuff. It sits on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, and you kind of have to choose to come here. That’s exactly why it’s so good.

Fort Worden State Park is the best intro to town. It used to be a coastal defense fort, and you can still poke around old gun bunkers, check out the officers’ homes, and take in views of Point Wilson Lighthouse. There are also about two miles of shoreline, trails, and a campground.

Port Townsend is also big for whale watching, so book a boat tour if you have time. Or kayak around Admiralty Inlet and keep an eye out for orcas, seals, and sea lions.

TIP: Heading to Whidbey Island next? The ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville saves you a long drive around.

🏨 Where to stay in Port Townsend: Hotels | Vacation homes

7. Oak Harbor

Oak Harbor is the biggest town on Whidbey Island, about two hours from Seattle. It’s a great pick for a weekend getaway, mostly because of what’s right next door.

Deception Pass State Park is the big one. It’s the most visited state park in Washington, with more than 3 million visitors a year. You get 3,800+ acres of forest and coastal trails, miles of shoreline, lakes, and that famous bridge.

Want something quieter? Try Joseph Whidbey State Park, a small day-use park with a big beach and easy trails. Just know it’s closed November 1 to March 31. Fort Ebey State Park is another good one nearby, with bluff trails and old bunkers.

🏨 Where to stay in Oak Harbor: Hotels | Vacation homes

8. Anacortes

Anacortes sits on Fidalgo Island, but you can drive right in over the Deception Pass Bridge from the south. It’s also where you catch the ferry to the San Juan Islands, so it’s the perfect jumping-off point for island hopping.

• Drive up Mount Erie: Huge views over the islands from the top.
• Cap Sante viewpoint: A quick hike with a great view over town and the marina.
• Paddle Deception Pass: Go with a guide. The currents here are no joke.
• Camp at Washington Park: A city park with a loop road, trails, and water views.
• Go whale watching: Tours head out from Anacortes into the San Juans.

Life moves a little slower on island time, so soak it all in at your own pace.

🏨 Where to stay in Anacortes: Hotels | Vacation homes

9. Bellingham

Bellingham is one of Washington’s northernmost coast towns, less than 30 miles from the Canadian border. It’s a lively college town with a TON of outdoor stuff close by.

Fun fact: you can catch a ferry to Alaska from here. The Alaska Marine Highway sails out of Bellingham, usually once a week on Fridays. And the historic Fairhaven district might make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time.

Then there’s Mount Baker, looming in the distance. The Mt. Baker Ski Area is a winter favorite, and in summer the mountain has some of Washington’s most epic hiking trails.

Closer to town, picnic at Lake Samish, hike the trails at Larrabee State Park off scenic Chuckanut Drive, or chase waterfalls at Whatcom Falls Park. End the day with a waterfront sunset and keep an eye out for eagles.

🏨 Where to stay in Bellingham: Hotels | Vacation homes

10. Seattle

Okay, so is Seattle actually a coastal city? Sort of. It sits right on Puget Sound, which is saltwater, but it’s not on the open ocean. The Pacific beaches are a few hours’ drive west.

Still, the water is everywhere here. You can catch a sunset over the Sound from Discovery Park, hang out at one of the city beaches like Alki or Golden Gardens, or hop a ferry to Bainbridge Island for the day.

Treat Seattle like the outdoor playground it is, and you can get your nature fix without leaving city limits. Need more ideas? Here are our favorite things to do in Seattle.

🏨 Where to stay in Seattle: Hotels | Vacation homes

Tips for Visiting the Washington Coast

• Get a Discover Pass: You’ll need one to park at Washington state parks. It’s $10 for a day or $45 for the year (transaction fees may apply). Grab one on the Washington State Parks site.
• Olympic National Park: $30 per car for seven days. Cards only, no cash.
• Check the tides: Especially on the wild Pacific beaches. Some sections get cut off at high tide.
• Never turn your back on the ocean: Sneaker waves are real, and big logs in the surf can roll.
• Book ferries early in summer: Especially to the San Juan Islands from Anacortes.
• Pack layers: The coast can be foggy and cool even when it’s hot in Seattle.

Where to Stay on the Washington Coast

For a classic beach trip, base yourself in Long Beach or Ocean Shores. For Olympic National Park, Port Angeles is your best bet.

Final Thoughts

Whether you want surf and sand on the Pacific or ferries and whales on the Salish Sea, Washington’s coast towns deliver. Pick a couple, pack your layers, and go explore.

Still planning? Check out the best beaches in Washington and our guide to camping on the Washington coast.

We hope this helped you find your favorite Washington coast town!

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