I’ve visited over 50 cities on the West Coast. Skip the tourist hot spots and try these 5 smaller coastal towns instead.

I learned to love road trips at an early age, riding shotgun next to my dad for hours-long drives on weekends and holidays. We even traveled cross-country together when I was 13.

So, it’s no surprise to me that I became a frequent road-tripper, too. As a traveling house and pet sitter, I’ve driven more than 8,000 miles up and down the West Coast and visited over 50 cities, from the vineyards of Paso Robles, California, to the forests of San Juan Island, Washington.

Although I’ve spent most of my life living in big cities like San Francisco and Seattle, this journey has helped me realize how much I prefer small, rural towns by the water, like these five favorites.

Avila Beach, California, is a charming community along California’s central coast.

Situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the charming little community of Avila Beach, California, is home to about 1,500 people.

Perched right on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the town has a large promenade overlooking the half-mile beach, as well as cute shops, art galleries, and cafés.

Avila Beach also is home to lots of fun summertime activities, like a Friday night farmers market with live music and an open-air art gallery on the promenade on Saturdays.

While you’re there, don’t miss the lifeguard tower murals by local artist Colleen Gnos.

Sea Ranch, California, is full of natural beauty.

Sea Ranch, California, is known for its distinctive redwood-frame structures designed by American architects like Richard Whitaker, Donlyn Lyndon, Charles Moore, and William Turnbull Jr.

With a population of about 1,200 people, Sea Ranch originally began as a planned community in the 1960s, blending modern design with natural elements.

Today, the community is a great place for a day trip, with more than 50 miles of coastal and redwood forest trails. However, services are limited, so you’ll need to head eight minutes north to Gualala, California, for gas, groceries, restaurants, and lodging.

Don’t forget to check out The Sea Ranch Chapel, which features colorful stained glass, locally sourced stone, and a plaster ceiling sculpted like a flower.

Yachats, Oregon, is known for its art and proximity to nature.

Yachats is a city along Oregon’s central coast. Home to about 1,000 people, this quirky little community is known for its artsy vibe and annual mushroom festival.

There are plenty of fun shops, restaurants, and galleries, as well as sandy beaches and tide pools to keep you busy.

I also recommend visiting the Siuslaw National Forest. The Cape Perpetua Overlook, which is above the protected Marine Garden shoreline, is the highest viewpoint of the Oregon Coast accessible by car.

Langley, Washington, is known as the ‘Village by the Sea.’

Overlooking the Saratoga Passage and Cascade Mountain Range, Langley, Washington, sits perched on a bluff at the south end of Whidbey Island.

Home to about 1,150 people, the “Village by the Sea” is packed with art, music, theater, museums, restaurants, and unique year-round events like whale watching.

I recommend visiting the Langley Whale Center if you’re interested in learning about the lives of orcas, gray whales, humpbacks, and other marine animals that call the Salish Sea home.

La Conner, Washington, is perfect for a weekend getaway.

This tiny, historic community located on the Salish Sea between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, is off the beaten path, but well worth the drive through the beautiful Skagit Valley.

La Conner is home to the famed Museum of Northwest Art, and with a range of restaurant options, plenty of shopping, and stunning natural beauty, this Washington town of just under 1,000 people is perfect for a weekend getaway.

Don’t miss the views from Rainbow Bridge, which connects La Conner to Fidalgo Island, or the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, held annually in April.

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