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These 21 Northern California Coastal Towns Are Worth the Trip
Explore tiny villages, sandy surf havens, and historic fishing ports. Bask in luxury vacation spots or windswept rocky bluffs. Welcome to some of the best places to visit in California. There’s something for every kind of traveler in these Northern California coastal towns.
I was born and raised in Northern California, and I’ve been to every single town on this list.
I’ll overview the best beach towns in Northern California, listing them from south to north. Instead of only listing the touristy beach towns, I’ve made sure to include a lot of towns that fly under the radar. Let’s dive in!
Want to jump around?
My 21 Favorite Coastal Towns in Northern California
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Stunning white beaches and fairytale cottages define this charming beach village.
🏠 Population: 3,079 | 📍 Google Maps | Carmel Website
Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the most picturesque, luxurious, and expensive beach towns in Northern California. It’s a popular place to escape SF for the weekend, but you could also spend a few weeks in Carmel with plenty of activities to do!
Carmel’s downtown feels like a fairytale village. Cobblestone streets, terraced cottages, and luxury spas give the town an idyllic vibe. Carmel’s pristine beaches are perfect for suntanning, playing a game of volleyball, or exploring tide pools brimming with sea life.
Head north of Carmel to visit the Pebble Beach Golf Links for a round of golf overlooking the Pacific Ocean. To the south lies the Big Sur wilderness, typically considered the bridge between Northern and Southern California.
Monterey
This is the best spot on the California coast for marine wildlife experiences.
🏠 Population: 28,623 | 📍 Google Maps | Monterey Website
Monterey is one of the best spots on this list for marine wildlife encounters and family-friendly activities.
Scuba divers flock to Monterey to explore the vast biodiversity beneath the waves. Above water, whale-watching tour companies offer views of blue whales, humpback whales, grey whales, and orcas.
My favorite thing to do in Monterey is visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Gaze into mesmerizing kelp forests, admire adorable baby otters, and watch live fish feedings in a million-gallon fish tank. You’ll experience the underwater world that makes Monterey so famous from the comfort of dry land!
Capitola
Small village by the sea with local boutiques and beautiful homes.
🏠 Population: 9,225 | 📍 Google Maps | Capitola Website
Capitola is a picturesque village famous for its colorful cottages. It’s a perfect spot to spend a weekend relaxing in the sun, eating out at local restaurants, or going hiking in the nearby redwoods.
Capitola is home to beachfront restaurants and the famous Venetian Hotel. Capitola Beach has gentle waves great for swimming or learning to surf.
👉 Pro Tip: Driving to Capitola? Avoid the traffic in Capitola Village. Park on the hill on Cliff Drive, above Capitola Wharf. It’s an easy walk down to the Village and will save you the headache of fighting for a downtown spot.
Santa Cruz
Iconic surfing city in Northern California with a large university and lively downtown.
🏠 Population: 62,581 | 📍 Google Maps | Santa Cruz Website
Santa Cruz has incredible surf culture, tons of forested hiking trails, and the popular Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. It’s my personal favorite California beach town!
Thanks to the free-spirited culture and nearby university, Santa Cruz is a youthful city. Pop into independent bookstores, thrift shops, and live music venues in the walkable downtown area.
Santa Cruz is world-famous as one of the best surf spots in California. Visit the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, hit the waves at Steamer Lane, or lay out in the sand at Natural Bridges State Beach. Cowell Beach is great for families and is home to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a beachfront amusement park and popular area to stay.
Half Moon Bay
A charming seaside town with good eats from local farms and fisheries.
🏠 Population: 11,166 | 📍 Google Maps | Half Moon Bay Website
Visit Half Moon Bay to eat fresh seafood, pick strawberries at local farms, or enjoy the numerous biking trails along the coast. This small town on the San Francisco peninsula is one of my favorite spots to relax and recharge.
You can go swimming or kayaking in Half Moon Bay’s calm waters. On a stormy day, head up the coast to watch huge waves crash at Mavericks Beach, a famous surf spot that gets waves up to 60 feet tall.
Downtown Half Moon Bay is filled with vintage shops, bakeries, gardening stores, and brewpubs. The wharf has restaurants with great fresh-caught seafood. Make sure to check out Half Moon Bay Brewing Company for some of the best beer and clam chowder!
Pacifica
A foggy surf town famous for its Taco Bell Cantina on the beach
🏠 Population: 36,484 | 📍 Google Maps | Pacifica Website
Pacifica is only 25 minutes south of San Francisco, making it a great place for people who want to live a beach lifestyle close to the big city. Pacifica has a fairly large downtown area with restaurants, bars, schools, and a bowling alley.
Pacifica has miles of rugged coastline and hiking trails that lead to hidden beaches. The main beach in Pacifica, Linda Mar, is a popular surf spot with beginner-friendly waves.
Pacifica’s most popular tourist attraction isn’t its gentle waves or beautiful nature — it’s a Taco Bell Cantina on the beach. Sure, it sounds silly. But when you’re eating a Crunchwrap Supreme on a sandy deck while watching the sun go down over the rolling waves, you can thank me later.
San Francisco
Northern California’s Golden City.
🏠 Population: 812,530 | 📍 Google Maps | San Francisco Website
San Francisco is one of California’s biggest metropolitan areas, and it’s surrounded on three sides by water. San Francisco’s bohemian atmosphere and gorgeous natural surroundings have been beckoning visitors for hundreds of years.
The best way to experience San Francisco is from the water. Taking a cruise around the San Francisco Bay is one of the best things to do in SF. Visit the Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhood to eat fresh seafood, admire the local sea lions, or gain insight into San Francisco’s nautical past.
Head to the beach, but be prepared for San Francisco’s infamous fog. Baker Beach has stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Ocean Beach has big waves that beckon talented surfers from around the world.
Stinson Beach
This warm and sunny beach town is the perfect escape from nearby city life.
🏠 Population: 305 | 📍 Google Maps | Stinson Beach Website
Stinson Beach is a tiny seaside community with one of the best beaches in the Bay Area. Stinson’s swimmable waves, gorgeous sand, and great weather make it a popular spot for a perfect beach day.
The town of Stinson Beach is small but adorable. The main street in Stinson has only a handful of beachy boutiques, a market, and several restaurants offering fresh seafood and ice cream.
Point Reyes Station
Gateway to the green hills and golden beaches of Point Reyes National Seashore.
🏠 Population: 377 | 📍 Google Maps | Point Reyes Website
Point Reyes Station is a true hidden gem of Northern California, and one of my favorite towns for a day trip from San Francisco.
Cows graze in the surrounding green hills, and roadside farm stands sell fresh fruit and cheese. Point Reyes’ main street has a bookstore, a bakery, several vintage clothing stores, and surprisingly delicious restaurants.
Point Reyes Station is located on an inlet of water called Tomales Bay. You can kayak in Tomales Bay and taste world-class oysters from its waters.
To get to the Pacific Ocean, drive 30 minutes from town to Point Reyes National Seashore. This wide expanse of coastline features isolated beaches and the famous Point Reyes Lighthouse.
Bodega Bay
Foggy fishing village on the Sonoma Coast with delicious seafood.
🏠 Population: 1,125 | 📍 Google Maps | Bodega Bay Website
Bodega Bay is a sleepy fishing village located on the beautiful Sonoma coast. It’s surrounded by mossy forests, historic ranches, and local wineries. Best of all, the beaches are never crowded.
Bodega Bay invites you to relax. The town has stunning accommodations overlooking the water, wineries, art galleries, a golf course, and many coastal walking paths.
Whenever I’m in Bodega Bay, I always stop at Patrick’s for some fresh saltwater taffy. Bodega Bay also has excellent seafood, so make sure to visit one of the town’s restaurants along the wharf.
Jenner
A tiny town where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean.
🏠 Population: 136 | 📍 Google Maps | Jenner Website
Jenner is one of my favorite places to stop on a Highway 1 road trip. The town is so small that you’ll blink and miss it, but it’s one of the best places to experience Northern Californian coastal serenity.
Jenner has a couple of small cafes, a general store, and miles of uncrowded coastline. Hang out at Goat Rock Beach to watch the large Russian River drain into the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
You can go kayaking on the river or around Penny Island. Make sure to keep your eyes out for the many varieties of birds and sea lions that call Jenner home.
Sea Ranch
A scattering of houses with unobstructed views of the Pacific coast.
🏠 Population: 1,176 | 📍 Google Maps | Sea Ranch Website
Sea Ranch is located on the rocky and rugged Sonoma coast. At Sea Ranch, you’ll have panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, miles of isolated beaches, and a unique feeling of solitude.
Most of Sea Ranch is either private homes or vacation rentals. Renting a vacation home in Sea Ranch gives you exclusive access to the Sea Ranch golf links, tennis courts, and miles of private trails. Most properties have dramatic ocean views.
Sea Ranch itself is mostly residential and only has a few restaurants. However, the nearby town of Gualala has more shops and restaurants to choose from.
🚯 Leave No Trace: Leave places like Sea Ranch as beautiful as you find them! Do not litter on the beach or hiking trails. Do not leave your car idling in parking lots. Practice environmental care so that future generations can enjoy the beauty of the California coast for years to come.
Gualala
A residential town with riverside campgrounds and some small beaches.
🏠 Population: 2,093 | 📍 Google Maps | Gualala Website
Gualala is a small town nestled between forest and dramatic cliffs. The beaches in Gualala are small and many are located in more private, residential areas.
Gualala’s main street is filled with art galleries and boutique stores inspired by the surrounding nature. Restaurants offer a diverse selection of seafood, Mexican food, and classic American eats. The town even has a small municipal airport.
Hike along bluffs overlooking the Gualala River, visit one of the art centers in town, or explore the mighty redwood trees in the hills. Comfortable accommodation is available at several coastal inns. Gualala also has some beautiful campsites to choose from, mainly along the river.
Point Arena
This welcoming seaside community has small-town charm and a historic lighthouse.
🏠 Population: 450 | 📍 Google Maps | Point Arena Website
Point Arena is a charming coastal town with a real local feel. It’s one of the best hidden gems in Northern California — in fact, many people don’t even realize how much there is to do here until they visit!
Point Arena is remarkably lively despite its remote location. Downtown Point Arena is colorful and welcoming. Bookstores, restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs bring locals and visitors together.
Manchester State Park is a huge sandy beach just north of Point Arena. It’s a great spot for long walks, picnics, and beach camping in the summer. At the end of the beach, visit the 150-year-old Point Arena Lighthouse for spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean.
Mendocino
A picturesque seaside town with gourmet food and wine, beautiful scenery, and coastal hiking trails.
🏠 Population: 569 | 📍 Google Maps | Mendocino Website
Mendocino is one of the more popular vacation spots on the Northern California coast. This quaint coastal town has everything you could need for a week or two in paradise.
Mendocino exudes an air of quiet luxury — think upscale art galleries, wine-tasting rooms, and gorgeous accommodations with ocean views. Restaurants promote farm-to-table living and use locally sourced produce.
Looking for a more down-to-earth vibe? Mendocino is a natural paradise with tons of low-budget activities. Hiking trails abound in Mendocino Headlands State Park and Russian Gulch State Park. You can kayak down the river, go on a whale-watching tour in the ocean, take a bike ride around the bluffs, and much more!
Fort Bragg
Large coastal town with brewpubs and a unique glass beach.
🏠 Population: 6,959 | 📍 Google Maps | Fort Bragg Website
Fort Bragg seems like a large city compared to the tiny beach towns surrounding it. The downtown area has grocery stores, restaurants, a movie theater, and several notable museums. Grab a pint and some food at North Coast Brewing Company, which has over 15 of its own brews on tap.
Fort Bragg is surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery. Don’t miss the famous Glass Beach, which is filled with colorful glass stones from the sea. It’s part of the larger MacKerricher State Park, which has miles of sandy beaches to explore.
👉 Local Tip: Glass Beach can get touristy, so visit Ten Mile Beach up the coast for more solitude.
Shelter Cove
Gateway to the Lost Coast of California.
🏠 Population: 780 | 📍 Google Maps | Shelter Cove Website
Shelter Cove is the most remote town in Northern California. It lies at the end of a long, winding road through a thick forest. In Shelter Cove, you’ll be rewarded with one of the most spectacular sights in the world — the Lost Coast.
The Lost Coast is the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in California. The black sand beach stretches for miles without a person in sight. The only way to view the Lost Coast is to walk along the Lost Coast Trail, one of the best hikes in California. However, you can visit on a day trip and walk a small portion of the beach trail without needing to camp overnight.
Shelter Cove is quite small, but it has lots of accommodation and a few restaurants. Many hikers stay in Shelter Cove at the beginning or end of their Lost Coast Trail trek.
Eureka
Coastal fisheries meet giant redwoods in this historic seaside town.
🏠 Population: 25,044 | 📍 Google Maps | Eureka Website
Eureka is the largest coastal city between San Francisco and the Oregon border. It’s a historic fishing center but has since transformed into a more artsy, eccentric community.
Eureka has a very laid-back vibe and feels more like a small town than a large city. However, downtown Eureka has some live music clubs, speakeasy-style cocktail bars, and incredible restaurants with locally caught seafood. The Lost Coast Brewing Company has great beer and grub.
Eureka’s natural beauty sets it apart. Eureka is surrounded by Redwood National and State Parks, which protect the largest population of old-growth redwoods in the world. Eureka’s coastal waters are one of the best spots for whale watching in Northern California. Eureka is also home to many of the best hotels near Redwood National Park.
Arcata
Artsy college town in the redwood trees.
🏠 Population: 19,029 | 📍 Google Maps | Arcata Website
Arcata is across the bay from Eureka, and it has a similar vibe in a smaller environment.
Arcata is home to Humboldt State University, a stunning college campus amidst redwood trees. This popular university gives Arcata a college-town feel, and many students frequent the local pubs and shops in the town square.
The beach at Arcata is stunning, cold, and usually isolated. It’s a far cry from the sunny, crowded beaches down south.
👉 Local Tip: Most of the Northern California coast is cold, and the Pacific Ocean can be dangerous! Practice good ocean safety, and make sure to always bring layers when heading to the beach.
Trinidad
This small, family-friendly beach town has Redwood National Park in its backyard.
🏠 Population: 313 | 📍 Google Maps | Trinidad Website
Trinidad is a tiny town set amidst gigantic redwood trees. It’s much smaller than Eureka and Arcata, and it’s a bit safer too. It’s a perfect spot for families looking to explore the Redwood coastal region while staying in a quaint community.
The main street in Trinidad hosts several coffee shops, a library, and restaurants with panoramic ocean views. There are many vacation homes and cottages within easy walking distance.
Explore the rugged coastline by walking the Trinidad Headland Trail, or have a picnic on the sands of Trinidad State Beach. Trinidad is only 20 minutes south of Redwood National Park, so make sure to explore the magnificent trees while you’re here.
Crescent City
Large town close to the Oregon border with redwood trees, coastal bluffs, and tribal lands.
🏠 Population: 5,921 | 📍 Google Maps | Crescent City Website
Crescent City is the northernmost coastal town in California, less than an hour from the Oregon border.
It’s a beautiful town close to Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park, where you can visit more redwood trees. Along the coast, visit Battery Point Lighthouse to learn more about the area’s history.
Crescent City is also home to the Tolowa and Yurok peoples, who have lived in this area since time immemorial. Visit the museum in Elk Valley Rancheria to learn more about Tolowa and Yurok history, view historical artifacts, and pay respects to the traditional stewards of the land. You can learn more about Native land in Northern California on the Native Land App.
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These towns are some of my favorite places to visit in California. Leave a comment to let me know if you’ve been to any of them! Up next, check out our guide to things to do in Northern California for ideas to add to your itinerary while exploring these coastal towns.
