These West Coast beach towns are easy on your wallet and come with incredible views!
With summer right around the corner, a trip to the beach is not only welcomed, it’s pretty much a rite of passage.
So whether you’re off with family, friends, or your significant other, sipping on some drinks, playing in the sand, laying out in the sun, and enjoying a refreshing dip in the clear ocean are musts. But the best part is that beachgoers don’t have to break the bank for a memorable beach vacation.
In fact, to ensure you have an extraordinary beach vibes-only getaway without spending an arm and a leg, here’s a list of my 5 favorite West Coast beach towns that promise affordable vacations.
Santa Barbara, California
Roughly two hours north of the bustling City Of Angels, this West Coast beach town. With its abundant sunshine, white-stuccoed houses, and flawless waves, this “Must See Place” has all the elements of an iconic Californian beach town.
It’s even nicknamed the American Riviera for its fame during the pre-Hollywood era of the movie industry when California’s first movie studio called the town home and European-inspired architecture. Though, despite its reputation and the glamor of its skyline, it’s also surprisingly budget-friendly.
As a college town, it offers many affordable places for visitors to eat, drink, and stay the night. One of the highlights is its renowned farmers’ market, where you can pick up some artisan cheeses, locally grown fruit, and homemade jams or pies.
So you can enjoy the taste of the luxury fresh produce that the area is famed for while avoiding restaurant mark-ups. Head up to Franceschi Park for a lovely picnic with some of the best views over this West Coast beach town’s captivating coastline or, if you’re visiting in the summer, enjoy it outside the historic courthouse at a free movie night.
Pro tip about this West Coast beach town: The University of California, Santa Barbara, hosts free events, including outdoor cinema screenings, every Friday night in the summer.
Coos Bay, Oregon
One of the most inexpensive West Coast beach towns in Oregon, Coos Bay has just as much to offer vacationers on a budget as it does to its locals. With its gloriously clear water, mild coastal weather, and rugged coastline, this is one beach town you won’t want to miss in Oregon.
Coos Bay is a hidden gem along the scenic Cape Arago Highway, which offers a range of rentals, hotels, and campsites for travelers making a pit stop during a road trip along the West Coast and those looking for a low-cost site for a beach vacation.
To get an idea, campsites at Bastendorff Beach start from $22 a night for tents in the busy season. The stunning rocky beaches and lush surrounding forests of this West Coast beach town create an amazing setting for plenty of free outdoor activities, including hiking, bird-watching, kayaking, and clamming.
You can also buy wild seafood and fresh fish from local fishermen at the market under the boardwalk to cook up at your vacation rental or on your camping stove for a convenient, cost-effective meal.
Carlsbad, California
Named after a famous Bohemian spa town because of the mineral springs discovered here by the town’s homesteaders, this West Coast beach town boasts several beautiful sandy beaches and three lagoons. It’s in North County, 30 miles north of San Diego.
Here, you can paddleboard and surf in the warm waters of Tamarack Beach and then cycle, jog, or rollerblade with stunning views over the ocean on the long stretch of paved path that stretches along the coastline from the town center.
But besides its beautiful beaches, Carlsbad is the perfect destination for travelers who like to explore, learn, and discover new things during their vacation. Known for being the home of LEGOLAND, there are many wonderful attractions that don’t come with such a hefty price tag.
The Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League offers free monthly workshops with professional artists and free entry to the North Coastal Art Gallery. You can also enjoy free admission to the Leo Carillo Ranch Historic Park, where you can explore the hand-crafted adobe buildings that were constructed in the 1930s, and the extensive, beautifully landscaped canyon park.
There are even free guided tours available each weekend, including entry to the historic hacienda. However, one of this West Coast beach town’s prime features is Batiquitos Lagoon. It’s a majestic coastal wetland where you can experience some of the West Coast’s most remarkable ecosystems.
The nature reserve is also free to visit. The foundation regularly hosts free guided tours and talks for those interested in learning more about the region’s diverse species and environmental concerns.
Long Beach, Washington
Just across the Columbia River from the popular, artsy town of Astoria, Oregon, Long Beach offers a budget-friendly alternative for a coastal getaway. While it’s a convenient base for a day trip to explore this West Coast beach town’s renowned shops and breweries, Long Beach provides more inexpensive places to stay and eat.
Because it’s not as popular a tourist destination, accommodation here tends to be less expensive and more individual, with B&Bs, motels, and cottages, including the charming Seaview cottages on offer, rather than bigger chain hotels.
Besides its proximity to Astoria, this charming town on the southern tip of the Washington coastline has lots to offer for a seaside vacation in its own right. At 28 miles long, it is the longest stretch of contiguous beach in the US, which inspired the town’s name.
Alongside building sandcastles on the beach or swimming, free activities include flying kites along the extensive stretch of sand, or watching the dynamic spectacle of the week-long Washington State International Kite Flying Festival each August, hiking out to the historic lighthouses at the jaws of the Columbia River, and walking along the colorful boardwalk.
Like in Astoria, there are also excellent distillers and small-batch brewers on the seafront at this West Coast beach town. Buy a can or fill your growler with one of the local brews at North Jetty, and then find a place among the dunes for a budget-friendly night on the town.
San Juan Islands, Washington
Washington’s San Juan Islands make the perfect destination for beach lovers looking for a closer connection to Mother Nature. You can truly drink in the wonders of the Pacific Northwest on a budget in this West Coast beach town.
San Juan Island’s hostel in Friday Harbor, near the ferry terminal, provides a low-cost base for exploring further or even as a first port of call. You can head up to Lime Kiln State Park for a sunset stroll along the wild cliffs to the lighthouse, or find a place to look for sea orcas, otters, and porpoises.
Known to be one of the best whale-watching spots in the world, admission to the park in this West Coast beach town is free, but there’s a $10 parking fee, which is all the more reason to leave your vehicle on the mainland. A round-trip fare for vehicle and driver from the Anacortes ferry terminal on Washington State Ferries costs about $24, although it varies by season and destination.
The ferry rides between the islands are always free for walk-on passengers, and they’re small enough to explore on foot or by bike, so you can leave your car behind at the port, save a bit more cash on fare, and truly embrace nature by biking and hiking.
There are many accommodation options on all of the main islands that cater well to cost-conscious travelers, particularly campsites.
Be sure to leave a comment to let me know which of these West Coast beach towns was your favorite. Meanwhile, if you enjoyed this article, you’ll also like: 6 Adorable Small Towns on the Pacific Coast You MUST SEE
