The West Coast's Most Beautiful Beaches
When planning a beach trip, many default to the east coast because of the warmer water and larger selection of beaches. But don’t write the west coast beaches off just yet. From California to Washington, the US west coast is home to some of the most beautiful and unique beaches along the Pacific ocean. Between admiring the dazzling sea glass at Glass Beach and reliving your favorite scenes from The Notebook at El Matador State Beach, the west coast has plenty of adventure to offer.
Treasure Island Beach, California
Sunset view of Treasure Island Beach at the Montage in Laguna Beach, California, United States.
Treasure Island Beach is home to clear blue water and a sparkling stretch of nearly white sand. Located in Laguna Beach, California this popular swimming spot has plenty to offer beach-goers. One of the best features of Treasure Island is that it’s wheelchair accessible via a long ramp that leads down to the sand from the bluffs above. Additionally, the beach is surrounded by lush patches of grass and well-maintained gardens. Behind the beach, travelers will find the incredible Montage Laguna Beach Resort–an ideal spot to enjoy dinner or a spa visit after the beach.
Another attractive feature here is the sea cave–a rock archway that eventually leads to a nearby beach called Middle Man’s Cove. The “cave” is a popular spot for taking photos, especially at sunrise or sunset. Activities including snorkeling, skimboarding, scuba diving, and tidepooling are all popular here as well.
El Matador State Beach, California
Matador beach and beautiful landscape with rocks and ocean against blue sky, California.
Often described as “Malibu’s best-kept secret,” El Matador State Beach is one of three “pocket beaches” located inside of Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach. This small, sandy gem is perhaps best known as the filming location for the iconic “If You’re a bird, I’m a bird” scene from The Notebook. Whether you’re a fan of the romantic movie or not, El Matador State Beach is a stunning stretch of sand, ideal for off-peak season exploration.
The beach is lined with large, craggy rocks and intriguing sea caves. Above the beach, visitors can admire large dramatic bluffs and watch for local birds. El Matador State Beach is also conveniently located just off of the Pacific Coast Highway, making it easy to travel to nearby attractions. Such as the Solstice Canyon, a beautiful spot for hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, and admiring the surrounding wildlife.
Pfeiffer Beach, California
Sun Portal at Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur.
Located in the mountainous region of Big Sur, California, Pfeiffer Beach is famous for its purple sand and breathtaking views. It may not be the easiest to get to, but the journey is worthwhile. The beach is part of the Los Padres National Forest and is open to the public from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. Although beautiful, it's best not to swim at Pfeiffer Beach as the water is known to be quite cold and has a powerful current.
Those hoping to catch a glimpse of the purple sand should plan to visit after a rainfall when the purple patches are most likely to be visible. The other main attraction here is Keyhole Rock, a large rock formation with a tiny keyhole door cutting straight through the middle. After exploring the beach, enthusiastic travelers can take the roughly 10-mile drive to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Here, visitors will find a breathtaking 80-foot waterfall that feeds into the ocean below.
Glass Beach, California
Colorful glass pebbles blanket beach in Fort Bragg.
Glass Beach (located in Fort Bragg, California) is a unique and colorful beach that travelers won’t want to miss. Named after the dazzling shards of colorful sea glass that wash up on its shores, Glass Beach is one of the most unique beaches in the state. The glass pieces are said to be the result of years of garbage dumping from 1906 to 1967. Glass, cans, and other items journeyed through the water becoming smooth and frosty pebbles.
Although it is technically illegal to remove the shards of glass from Glass Beach, that hasn’t stopped everyone from doing so. Today, Glass Beach is not nearly as covered in colorful shards as it once was. The best time to visit Glass Beach is when the sun is shining, as it helps highlight the tiny glass shards and makes the whole shoreline sparkle.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
When it comes to the west coast, California isn’t the only state with beautiful beaches to enjoy. Cannon Beach, located in an Oregon town by the same name, is a breathtaking stretch of coastline. It is home to one of the most recognizable rocks in the state, the Haystack Rock. It is a basalt sea stack that towers 235 feet over the shoreline. The rock, famously filmed in movies such as The Goonies, is a popular spot for photography, birdwatching, and tidepooling. While in town, travelers will also want to check out the Tillamook Lighthouse, which is located less than 5 miles from the beach.
Bullards Beach State Park, Oregon
Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, Oregon, USA. Oregon Coast historic lighthouse.
Bullards Beach State Park is another exceptionally beautiful beach in Oregon. In addition to the vast, sandy shores and ocean views, the state park is also home to a gorgeous lighthouse and a year-round campsite–making it an ideal spot for family vacations. While here, visitors can enjoy a range of activities including beachcombing, fishing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Coquille River Lighthouse was first built in 1891 and was later renovated in 1976. Curious travelers can visit the lighthouse and tour its signal room between mid-May and September when volunteers are around. The lighthouse tower is off-limits for safety reasons.
La Push Beach, Washington
La Push Beach is a series of three small beaches on the Pacific Coast, just outside of Forks, Washington. Fans of the popular vampire saga, Twilight will recognize La Push as the beach that is named (but not technically shown) in the movies. Unlike many of the beaches on this list, the La Push Beaches are characterized by towering spruce and evergreen trees and foggy, overcast days. The three beaches–named First, Second, and Third Beach–are all located inside Olympic National Park and each offers something different.
First Beach is the most easily accessible from town and is a popular spot for swimming and admiring the large driftwood piles that line the shore. Second Beach is slightly more remote but has arguably the best scenery of all three beaches. Here, visitors will see towering sea stacks, some with evergreen trees growing on top. Finally, Third Beach is the hardest to reach, but that often means it’s less busy and visitors have a chance of having the entire beach to themselves.Third Beach is an ideal spot for tidepooling.
In Conclusion
Although the west coast beaches aren’t always ideal for swimming, they do offer a unique charm that will appeal to all adventure seekers. From towering sea stacks topped with evergreen trees and families of birds to famous filming locations, these beaches are full of beauty and charm. Plus, each beach has its own distinctive character and story, making every visit a new discovery.
