Great small beach towns come in many forms. They can be surrounded by sands baking under a constant sun or tucked away in the midst of a distant forest. They can be lively or pin-drop quiet retreats. But they also share many attributes: idiosyncratic charm, fresh local food (usually hauled off a boat in nearby waters), and somewhere chic and cozy to bed down for the night.
From New Jersey to the Pacific Northwest, these are some of the most charming U.S. beach towns to recharge and recalibrate in.
Point Reyes Station, California
Set on narrow Tomales Bay, Point Reyes Station isn’t your typical beach town. Shorts and flip-flops are rare here due to the weather, but for Bay Area locals, it’s the perfect, mellow escape. The weather-worn buildings house excellent eateries (like Bovine Bakery), carefully curated shops, and local art galleries.
Get your fill of sea air at the lighthouse or on a coastal hiking trail. Later, head to The Marshall Store or Hog Island Oyster Company for bivalves and sip Sonoma bubbly in the late afternoon sun. The boutique Olema House is an exciting update of a classic hotel, and Nick’s Cove, with its overwater bungalows and nostalgic restaurant, is a perennial favorite. —Maggie Fuller
Head to La Push in Washington State for fresh salmon and excellent hiking.
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La Push, Washington
It’s not exactly a sun lover’s dream, but what La Push, a small village on Washington’s northernmost coast, lacks in palm trees, it makes up for in dramatic beaches, teeming tide pools, and some of the freshest salmon in the state.
To reach La Push, you ferry from Seattle, skirt Olympic National Park, and finally pass through the gateway town of Forks. Towering evergreens and foggy mornings rule; it’s no surprise that Stephenie Meyer chose to set her vampire series, Twilight, in the region.
To make the most of a weekend, base yourself in the Quileute Oceanside Resort, run by the local Quileute Tribe. The resort sits on the crescent-shaped First Beach, where solid swells draw surfers from the area. Hike the short trail to Second Beach to explore tide pools and watch for bald and golden eagles, eat barbecued salmon at the River’s Edge Restaurant, day-trip to other beaches along the coast (don’t miss Ruby Beach), or head inland to explore the national park. From Forks, it’s easy to explore the region on two wheels, thanks to the ever-expanding Olympic Discovery Trail, an approximately 135-mile multi-use system. —Aislyn Greene, Afar contributor
Comparatively few travelers make it to laid-back Kailua but it’s worth the trip.
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Kailua, Hawai’i
Each year, over one million visitors flock to O’ahu’s Hanauma Bay, a small cove that boasts some of the best snorkeling in the world. While the hype is justified, you should drive 30 minutes north to Kailua, a town basking in chill vibes with easy access to less crowded beaches.
Live like a local by ordering oxtail soup from Zippy’s, grabbing some fresh poke from Foodland, and hitting up Teddy’s Bigger Burgers for a root beer milkshake. Experienced swimmers and surfers should check out Makapu’u Beach, a short drive south, but always be wary of the strong undertow. Those more inclined to gentle waves and sunbathing should make their way to nearby Lanikai Beach and Waimanalo Beach Park. —Nicole Antonio, Afar contributor
Montauk is a world away from its Hamptons neighbors.
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Montauk, New York
Pass through all of the Hamptons and you’ll find yourself in Montauk, at the far end of Long Island. It’s got its own brewery, top-notch restaurants, and miles of white sand beaches facing the Atlantic. While there’s no shortage of delectable seafood, the jelly croissants at mainstay Montauk Bake Shoppe are an absolute must. Most vacation rentals or hotels are either directly on the beach or within walking distancece of a public beach. For a view of what feels like the end of the world, make your way to the top of Montauk Lighthouse at the very tip of Long Island. —Rosalie Tinelli, Afar contributor
The Rosewood Miramar Beach resides by one of Montecito’s most desirable stretches of sand.
Courtesy of the Rosewood Miramar Beach
Montecito, California
Since the late 1800s, the unincorporated community of Montecito, just south of Santa Barbara, has been a seaside hideaway for Hollywood stars and East Coast transplants living in Great Gatsby–esque estates.
The sand on Miramar Beach is silky soft and the water is generally calm, making it a perfect spot for building sand castles. In addition to Miramar Beach, locals love Butterfly Beach, a five-minute drive up the coast. Lotusland, the 37-acre estate and botanical garden created by the late opera singer Madame Ganna Walska, is home to more than 3,000 different plants from around the world, including cycads, cacti, palms, and euphorbias. —Julia Cosgrove, VP, editor in chief, Afar
Sullivan’s Island is one of South Carolina’s barrier islands.
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Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina
Charleston is surrounded by barrier islands with beach towns that have their own charms, but Sullivan’s Island at the mouth of Charleston Harbor is a local favorite for its wide beaches and restaurants as good as the ones you’ll find downtown.
No trip is complete without a meal at The Obstinate Daughter, an always-packed spot that takes its name from a Revolutionary War nickname for the town’s historic Fort Sullivan. The hearty menu of pizza and pasta are more substantial than you’d expect from its seaside location, but the short rib ragu ricotta gnocchi is delicious.—Lyndsey Matthews, Afar contributor
The Asbury Hotel and boardwalk are a couple of Asbury Park’s points of interest.
Photos by Michelle Heimerman
Asbury Park, New Jersey
This charming small town declined in the late 20th century due to urban flight and race riots, but it’s been slowly and steadily recapturing its old magic. Its boardwalk is thrumming once again, complete with a pinball machine museum and a retro beach bar with a popular dog-friendly Yappy Hour. The Stone Pony, a divey music venue that launched the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, now hosts the likes of Carly Rae Jepsen and the Pixies. Nearby you’ll find destination restaurants like Talula’s, where the sourdough pizzas come with innovative toppings like okra and squash blossoms, and accommodations like The Asbury and Asbury Ocean Club Hotel that practically beg you to stay overnight. —Nick DeRenzo, Afar contributor
Menemsha is one of the villages in Martha’s Vineyard worth exploring.
Photo by Larry Glick/Shutterstock
Menemsha, Massachusetts
Menemsha, on the western side of Martha’s Vineyard, has a real fishing village vibe. Get yourself a hot lobster roll with butter or some chowder from the Menemsha Fish Market. If you’re in a group, send someone to the nearby beach while you’re waiting for the order so you’re all set to enjoy your seafood with the sunset. If you want to make a day out of it, get in early and charter a boat for some cruising or fishing. After some water excursions, try The Homeport, a delicious seafood spot that opened in the 1930s and overlooks the harbor. —Cathryn Mahoney, Afar Contributor
The Outer Banks include approximately 200 miles of barrier islands.
Photo by Chansak Joe/Shutterstock
Nags Head, North Carolina
North Carolina’s beaches have served as settings for plenty of love stories, including Nights in Rodanthe and The Summer I Turned Pretty. You can’t go wrong with any of the hamlets in the state’s group of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks, but Nags Head seems to have perfected what it means to be a beach town. Located 20 minutes south of Kitty Hawk (where the Wright brothers famously first took flight in 1903), Nags Head boasts eateries like Fish Heads Bar & Grill (which offers some of the best fries you’ll eat in your life) and specialty slices at Nags Head Pizza Company. Stake out a spot at the beach, and enjoy waves that can vary from surf-worthy to relaxed. And did I mention the gorgeous sunrises and great stargazing? —Chloe Arrojado, associate editor, destinations, Afar
This story was originally published in 2019. It was most recently updated on June 25, 2024, to include current information.
