The US’s 16 Most Beautiful Coastal Towns

Coastal Towns

Open up a classic beach read because it’s vacation time! If you’re planning your next big getaway, may we suggest soaking up the sun and enjoying the laid-back attitude of a charming beach town?

There are so many beautiful and fascinating places in our country waiting to be explored.

And put your passport away because the United States has thousands of miles of pristine coastlines, and we’ve found the best towns among them.

Whether you’re in search of an enchanting village situated on a harbor or a luxury resort on the beach, there’s a perfect coastal town destination for ANY traveler.

Discover the extraordinary beauty of these smaller seaside towns across America. With its 23 coastal states, the USA is home to some of the most varied coastlines in the world.

From the quaint, historic coastal communities of New England to the rugged Pacific Northwest and subtropical climes of the Gulf Coast, here are our top 16 most beautiful US coastal towns!

…Click “Next” to see America’s most beautiful coastal towns!

Cape May, New Jersey

Boasting the title of the US’s oldest seaside resort, Cape May in New Jersey is home to the most extensive collection of beautifully preserved Victorian buildings outside of San Francisco.

So much so that in 1976, the entire town was designated a National Historic Landmark.

If you just walk its streets and shorefront populated with colorful ‘painted ladies’, you’ll be delighted if you’re a history or architecture lover, and savvy foodies won’t be disappointed either.

This coastal town is also very well known as the ‘culinary capital of New Jersey’ by The New York Times. Cape May offers an eclectic and classy dining scene as well. You can even stay true to the town’s Victorian origins by seeing the sights from a horse-drawn carriage.

Carmel By-the-Sea, California

Found on California’s Central Coast, this coastal town is one of the most picturesque destinations in the United States Of America. The Scenic Bluff Path is a stunning walking trail with views of the wild coastline and smooth white sands of Carmel Beach below.

It’s also a popular area for surfers, and the views are even more spectacular from the water advancing from Pebble Beach to the north and Point Lobos in the southern part.

Tourists and locals alike have the perfect opportunity to roam the streets lined with English cottages and Mission-style architecture in town. You can shop at upscale international or locally-owned boutiques or visit one of the town’s renowned art galleries.

…Psst, if you like coastal towns, you should also check this out!

Chincoteague, Virginia

With two nationally protected zones right on its doorstep, it’s no wonder that this coastal town has become a sanctuary for nature lovers. The 14,000 acres of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge offers you plenty of birdwatching, fishing, and wildlife photography chances.

At the same time, the Assateague Island National Seashore just outside of town is home to many herds of wild horses.

World-renowned for its clam shoals and oyster beds, a host of local seafood restaurants, and the annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival, this is where you go to celebrate island produce.

But for history buffs, there’s the Museum of Chincoteague Island, a mecca to local culture and history, and the Captain Timothy Hill House, which is the island’s longest-standing structure.

Beaufort, South Carolina

Found on the east coast of South Carolina, this coastal town is small but with a rich history interlaced with the Old South’s past. Its streets are dotted with antebellum and Civil War homes and stately oak trees covered in moss.

A favorite spot? The Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and the store along Bay and Carteret streets. History buffs will relish in the Beaufort History Museum. If you ever visit, plan to stay in one of the romantic B&Bs or inns, the Rhett House Inn is a perfect example.

When the sun begins to set, you should go over to Saltus River Grill for waterfront views and some Lowcountry specialties. Beaufort ranks as one of the most charming small towns in South Carolina. Find out why this is a hidden gem and plan your next visit!

Port Townsend, Washington

Snuggled in the northeastern edge of the state’s Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend is a former Victorian seaport that still maintains much of its 19th-century charm thanks to its dedicated citizens.

A walk along Port Townsend’s downtown waterfront displays beautiful Victorian buildings, while venues and events like the Northwest Maritime Center and the Wooden Boat Festival pay tribute to the town’s marine culture.

For arts and culture mavens, Port Townsend is a must-see. The coastal town is home to a booming arts community, numerous art galleries, and cultural diversions like the Port Townsend Film Festival held every year since 1999.

Anna Maria Island, Florida

This barrier island found along the Gulf of Mexico is just a 20-minute drive from the town of Bradenton on Florida’s west coast.

Anna Maria’s idyllic sandy white beaches and sparkling turquoise waters highlight this laid-back coastal town with an Old Florida feel that has earned a spot on our list of the best coastal towns in the US.

You’re dreams about spending days building castles in the sand with the little ones or relaxing on the beach in this scenic seaside town will come true at this beautiful destination.

Be sure to keep an eye out because the wildlife is plentiful, with manatees, dolphins, and turtles nesting from May to October. Birding enthusiasts can appreciate the Bald Eagles, pelicans, osprey, and seagulls.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Found on Mount Desert Island off the coast of Maine, this coastal town was one of 19th-century New England’s most favored summer resorts and still remains a much-see tourist destination to this day.

The beautiful Acadia National Park is on Bar Harbor’s doorstep, offering over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, and coastline perfect for hiking, biking, and camping.

Many boats even offer fishing trips and nature-spotting tours out of the town’s harbor. After a hard day exploring the wild island community, you can relax at the lively bars and seafood restaurants that make up Bar Harbor’s busy downtown area.

Seabrook, Washington

Seabrook is an oceanfront master-planned coastal town in the middle of Washington’s Pacific Coast. The New England-style houses and cottages that sit above Moclips Beach make for a stunning setting.

Its Market Street is a must-see with a lot of local boutiques, wine shops, an ice cream parlor, and restaurants for a slice of Americana.

Then, you can spend time unwinding by the firepit at Horseshoe Park. The entire area is designed so that everything is just a short walk or bike ride away.

You can rent one of the more than 200 residences and also bring along your pup because Seabrook is as pet-friendly as they come!

Tybee Island, Georgia

Found just a 20-minute drive east of Savannah, this coastal town is a panoramic barrier island community. Boasting five miles of untouched sandy beaches, Tybee Island is the embodiment of rustic coastal charm.

Retro wooden piers are dotted with fishermen and dolphin-spotters.

Its salt marshes are a birdwatcher’s utopia and home to species that includes white ibis and wood stork, and boats bring in their day-to-day catch of delicious Georgia shrimp.

You can even climb to the top of the Tybee Island Light Station, constructed in 1773 and one of the southern Atlantic coast’s first lighthouses, for some spectacular sunset views before withdrawing to the town’s restaurants for some fantastic seafood and southern cooking.

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina

Located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, this historic coastal town is famously known for where the Wrights Brothers’ took their first flight on Kill Devil Hills.

It’s one of the oldest communities in the Outer Banks, and the original village has maintained most of its charm and today remains a laid-back vacation spot.

There are hotels, but many of the accommodations here are private rentals.

When you’ve had your fill of sun and surf on the beach, Kitty Hawk Woods, a 1,824-acre maritime forest, marsh, and scrub swamp to view the local wildlife and birds, is a must-see for anyone who is an outdoor lover.

…This would be an excellent getaway for couples.

Edgartown, Massachusetts

Cradled on the easternmost rims of beautiful Martha’s Vineyard, Edgartown was the first colony on the island and the county seat as early as 1642. Much of the coastal town’s early history can still be seen today.

For example, the Vincent House, which was built in 1672, is the oldest home on the island, and the late 19th-century Old Whaling Church remains one of New England’s best examples of what Greek Revival architecture looks like.

You can spend the day exploring Edgartown’s picturesque sandy beaches, home to two historic lighthouses.

And then, you can head over to the downtown area to learn about the island’s culture at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum and sample some amazingly delicious food fit for any foodie at Edgartown’s many upscale restaurants.

Jamestown, Rhode Island

The quiet coastal town of Jamestown is situated on Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay, just a mile west of Newport.

The area has kept much of its original charm and has more of a rural village feel with farms, a windmill, and cows grazing on lush green pastures. Narragansett Avenue is the main shopping street here.

This town is also well known for the outstanding food markets serving fresh meats and locally caught seafood like cod and lobster. Head over to the beach at Mackerel Cove, go paddleboarding at sunset, or enjoy the charming views of the sailboats docked in Narragansett Bay.

Sanibel Island, Florida

You’ll find Sanibel Island just a bit west of Fort Myers, but it seems like a whole world away, thanks to its secluded barrier island location. Full of old Florida charm, this coastal town really just offers a slower pace of life.

In fact, you won’t find any stoplights or streetlights anywhere on the island, and its pristine beaches and breathtaking sunsets are a perfect respite from Florida’s busier Gulf Coast communities.

Take a stroll along Sanibel’s beaches, and you’ll no doubt find yourself doing the ‘Sanibel stoop,’ the hunched-over position adopted when collecting the island’s world-renowned seashells.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach is located just 90 miles northwest of Portland on Oregon’s coast. The sceneries along this stretch of coastline are spectacular, with Haystack Rock standing 235ft above the sandy beach as the most recognizable landmark in the area.

Visitors staying in one of the premier oceanfront resorts can easily walk to the village with its vibrant art scene, Cannon Beach Distillery, and chef-owned restaurants that serve locally sourced ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.

This coastal town is also remarkably close to Ecola State Park, a perfect spot for surfing, tide-pooling, and wildlife viewing. We highly recommend you go there in the winter or spring to catch the migration of the gray whales.

Cape Charles, Virginia

You can find this coastal town on the southern tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the Chesapeake Bay. This historic town of Cape Charles was one of the first spots colonized in North America.

Cape Charles’s Beach runs along Bay Avenue, and it’s the only public beach that doesn’t limit you with an access fee on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

The charming downtown area has a diverse mix of intriguing shops along Mason Avenue and Hotel Cape Charles’s boutique property.

For a room with an incredible view, visitors should stay at The Northampton Hotel and, for breathtaking sunsets, have cocktails and some casual appetizers at The Shanty.

Stonington, Maine

You’ll find Stonington at the tip of Deer Isle on Penobscot Bay. It’s located south of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, just 86 miles away from Portland.

The small coastal fishing village is well known for its expansive lobster fleet of over 300 boats, which is the largest in the state.

It’s not a big tourist spot, and it’s off the beaten path, but that only adds to its Downeast charm. Believe us when we say that it would be a dream to stay at the Inn on the Harbor.

You’ll be watching the boats head out at sunrise, and you’ll dine on those delicious lobsters in the evening at Stonecutters Kitchen.

What are your thoughts on all of these breathtaking coastal towns? Have you explored any of them? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below!

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