There’s something special about Washington’s coast that you just can’t find anywhere else.
It’s wild, a little mysterious, and packed with towns that are so cool, you’ll wonder how they’re not already on everyone’s bucket list.
We’re talking beaches where you can spot whales, cozy villages filled with cute coffee shops and seafood shacks, and boardwalks perfect for sunset strolls.
Whether you’re all about digging your toes in the sand, hiking through misty forests, or just grabbing delicious food, these beach towns are way too good to ignore.
1. La Push
La Push is a tiny beach village on the wild coast of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, about 14 miles west of the town of Forks.
It’s famous for its beaches like First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach, where you’ll see giant driftwood logs, rugged sea stacks, and maybe even a bald eagle.
La Push is part of the Quileute Indian Reservation, so you’ll find cool cultural touches everywhere, like handmade cedar canoes and traditional seafood dishes.
Fun fact: First Beach is one of the rare spots along the Washington coast where you can drive straight up to the shore, no forest hike required!
2. Ocean Shores
If you’re in the mood for a beach town that feels like a giant playground, Ocean Shores is the spot you need to hit.
Located on a skinny peninsula where the Pacific Ocean meets Grays Harbor, this place is packed with six miles of sandy beaches and little canals you can kayak through.
Ocean Shores lets you drive right onto the beach and enjoy fun events like giant sandcastle contests or a beachy pirate festival.
Bonus tip: Grab a bike rental because cruising along the sand at low tide here feels like the coolest thing ever.
3. Blaine
If you’re craving jaw-dropping scenery, Blaine is the way to go.
Way up near the Canadian border, Blaine is home to the Peace Arch, a massive white monument on the 49th parallel symbolizing U.S.–Canada friendship.
The town’s waterfront is super cute, with little marinas, fresh-off-the-boat seafood shacks, and sunsets over Drayton Harbor.
Don’t miss a stroll along the boardwalk at Marine Park, where you can spot herons, seals, and if you’re lucky, even a pod of orcas passing by.
4. Seabrook
If you’re into lovely beach towns that look like they popped right out of a movie set, Seabrook is about to steal your heart.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, this place is packed with candy-colored cottages, adorable shops, and trails that lead straight to sandy beaches.
Seabrook is all about slow living, think farmers’ markets, beach bonfires, cruiser bikes, and picture-perfect ocean views.
There’s also a surprising amount of fun stuff like axe throwing, wine tastings, and outdoor concerts.
5. Long Beach
For unbeatable beach energy, Long Beach reigns supreme on Washington’s coast with 28 miles of sand, making it one of the longest in the U.S.
It’s a place loved for its chill atmosphere, fried oyster shacks, and the world’s largest frying pan on display downtown.
You can ride horses on the beach, follow the Discovery Trail with ocean views all the way, or fly a giant kite at the International Kite Festival held every August.
Fun fact: Long Beach is also home to a giant razor clam-digging scene, so if you visit in April or May, you can grab a permit and dig up your own seafood dinner.
6. Anacortes
Switching gears a little, Anacortes is a super scenic town you can’t miss.
Sitting pretty on Fidalgo Island, about halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, Anacortes is where you can catch the ferry to the San Juan Islands.
It’s also a great place to hang out, with cozy coffee shops, seafood restaurants, and a waterfront park made for picnics.
This town is famous for its whale-watching tours, as well as its 2,800-acre forest lands packed with hiking trails, hidden lakes, and stunning viewpoints.
7. Westport
For that classic fishing town feel, head over to Westport.
Located on the south side of Grays Harbor, Westport offers sandy beaches, a marina, a historic lighthouse, and the freshest Dungeness crab you’ll ever taste.
This town is a surfing hotspot too, with tons of surf shops ready to hook you up with a board if you want to brave the chilly Pacific waves.
You can also walk on the Westport Maritime Museum’s cool old boats or hop on a charter for a deep-sea fishing trip.
8. Forks
Head on over to Forks if you’re ready to swap sandcastles for mossy forests and moody beaches.
Located between the Olympic Mountains and the wild Pacific coast, Forks is famous for its epic rainfall, towering trees, and yes, being the home of all things Twilight.
It’s a great jumping-off spot for hitting nearby stunners like Rialto Beach, where giant driftwood logs and rocky sea stacks make it feel otherworldly.
Bonus: Stop by the Forks Timber Museum to check out the town’s real-life logging history, complete with giant saws and cool old photos.
9. Bellingham
Bellingham is your spot if you’re after a beach town that has it all: city buzz, outdoor adventures, ocean air, and a serious love for coffee.
Way up north near the Canadian border, Bellingham is packed with incredible places to explore.
One standout is Fairhaven, a historic little district full of brick buildings, indie shops, and a top spot to enjoy waterfront sunsets.
It’s crazy easy to spend a whole day here, like biking along the South Bay Trail, kayaking in Bellingham Bay, or hiking up to Whatcom Falls.
And if you’re into cool local eats, make sure you hit up a few farm-to-table restaurants or grab fresh oysters at the waterfront seafood shacks.
10. Port Townsend
If you’re into seaside towns that feel like a time machine back to the 1800s, you’ve gotta check out Port Townsend.
Perched at the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula, this place is loaded with preserved Victorian buildings, old-timey saloons, and a pretty waterfront.
You can wander through cute bookstores, sip coffee in historic hotels, explore the spooky old bunkers at Fort Worden State Park, or just chill by the bay.
Port Townsend also hosts awesome festivals all year, from the big-deal Wooden Boat Festival every September to numerous small-town parades.
11. Kalaloch
Kalaloch is pure magic, especially if you want to feel like you’re stepping into a nature documentary.
Sitting on a wild stretch of coast inside Olympic National Park, Kalaloch is all about sandy beaches, towering driftwood, and tide pools stuffed with bright sea stars.
It’s also home to the famous Tree of Life, a giant tree somehow clinging to life over a washed-out cliff.
It’s the kind of place where you can walk for miles with hardly anyone else around, spot eagles soaring overhead, and unwind to the sound of crashing waves.
Pro tip: Hit Beach 4 at low tide, where hidden sea creatures pop out from under the rocks and every tide pool feels like its own secret little world.
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