While you may instantly picture evergreen forests and snow-capped mountains when you think of Washington, the state is also known for its breathtaking beaches. With magnificent waves and rocky coves, kayaking and boating, fishing and whale watching, these idyllic Washington coastal towns are top-tier. There are lots of beachfront towns to check out in Washington, whether you’re moving to the state or hoping to relocate to the coast.
But if you’re not sure what beach towns in Washington to check out, we’ve got you covered. From Anacortes to the San Juan Islands, Redfin has collected a list of 13 amazing coastal towns in Washington. Let’s explore some of the state’s top beaches, listed in alphabetical order, and you might just be tempted to move there.
#1: Anacortes
Median home price: $795,000
Anacortes, WA homes for sale
Anacortes, WA apartments for rent
First on our list is Anacortes, located on Fidalgo Island. There are plenty of beaches to explore while living in Anacortes such as Sunset Beach, O Avenue Beach, and Tugboat Beach. If you’re considering moving to this coastal town, make sure to hike one of the trails like Mount Erie Summit Trail or Sugarloaf Mountain Trail, explore downtown Anacortes, or take in the views at Washington Park.
#2: Bellingham
Median home price: $604,850
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,375
Bellingham, WA homes for sale
Bellingham, WA apartments for rent
Another one of Washington’s great beach towns to consider buying a home in is Bellingham, home to 92,300 people. There are plenty of beaches to visit like Glass Beach, Little Squalicum Beach, and Marine Park. Living in Bellingham, you’ll want to stroll along the Taylor Dock Boardwalk or hike North Chuckanut Trail, explore the museums, shops, and cafes downtown, and check out the many nature parks and lakes in the city.
#3: Coupeville
Median home price: $670,000
Coupeville, WA homes for sale
Coupeville, WA apartments for rent
One of the small towns located on Whidbey Island, Coupeville, has just about 2,000 year-round residents. There are lots of beaches to explore on a warm Washington day, like Captain Coupe’s Park. If you find yourself moving to Coupeville, make sure to explore Price Sculpture Forest, check out the charming downtown streets, and drive through the rest of Whidbey Island.
#4: Long Beach
Median home price: $400,000
Long Beach, WA homes for sale
Long Beach, WA apartments for rent
Home to beautiful beaches like Long Beach Beach, there are countless places to spend a day at enjoying the Pacific Ocean views. About 1,700 people live in Long Beach, where you can also check out the landmarks like the Basalt Monolith and Gray Whale Sculpture, explore the downtown streets, and visit some of the museums in town.
#5: Moclips
Median home price: $335,000
Moclips, WA homes for sale
Moclips, WA apartments for rent
The charming beach town of Moclips only has about 50 permanent residents, making it a quiet spot to buy or rent in. In Moclips, you can stroll through the charming town, explore Morocks Beach, or simply take in the views while reading a book.
#6: Oak Harbor
Median home price: $466,000
Oak Harbor, WA homes for sale
Oak Harbor, WA apartments for rent
The town of Oak Harbor has about 24,700 residents and is a great coastal spot to consider living in. There are lots of activities to do in this coastal city, such as having a beach day at Windjammer Park. You can also check out the restaurants and shops downtown and enjoy time outside at one of the many parks, among many other local favorites.
#7: Ocean Shores
Median home price: $466,500
Ocean Shores, WA homes for sale
Ocean Shores, WA apartments for rent
With a population of close to 7,100, Ocean Shores is a charming coastal town to live in. There are plenty of beaches to explore – Ocean Shores Beach, North Jetty, and Pacific Beach. If you find yourself moving to Ocean Shores, make sure to hike the Damon Point Trail, grab a meal at a local restaurant, or play a round of golf.
#8: Port Angeles
Median home price: $387,000
Port Angeles, WA homes for sale
Port Angeles, WA apartments for rent
A charming and historic city in Northwestern Washington is Port Angeles. The city has amazing beaches such as Harborview Park and Hollywood Beach, perfect for a picnic. Living in Port Angeles, be sure to hike the Peabody Creek Trail at the start of the Olympic National Park, check out the pier and all of the local shops and cafes, and take the ferry to Victoria, BC.
#9: Port Townsend
Median home price: $613,000
Port Townsend, WA homes for sale
Port Townsend, WA apartments for rent
Just about 10,300 people live in Port Townsend where you’ll find beaches like Fort Worden State Park and North Beach County Park. Other attractions in Port Townsend include exploring the historic sites at Fort Worden Historical State Park, strolling through the downtown area to check out the charming Victorian style homes, or taking a boat charter on the water.
#10: Poulsbo
Median home price: $750,000
Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,125
Poulsbo, WA homes for sale
Poulsbo, WA apartments for rent
This coastal town of Poulsbo has a population of 11,900 and there are lots of beaches to spend time outside at, like Liberty Bay Waterfront Park. Poulsbo is also known by its nickname, “Little Norway,” so you’ll find lots of Norwegian-style buildings throughout the area. There are also plenty of activities to explore during your free time, like spending some time at Liberty Bay Waterfront Park and checking out all the nearby cafes and shops, exploring Poulsbo’s Fish Park, and hiking the Dogfish Creek Trail.
#11: San Juan Islands
Median home price: $790,000
San Juan Islands, WA homes for sale
San Juan Islands, WA apartments for rent
The San Juan Islands are an archipelago comprising 172 islands and reefs – and there are plenty of coastal towns you may want to call home. From Friday Harbor and Lopez Island to Orcas Island, there are countless places to check out whether you’re looking for a quiet village or a lively port city. There are also numerous beaches like Eagle Cove Beach, Fourth of July Beach, Jackson Beach, Reuben Tarte County Beach, and South Beach. The San Juan Islands have about 17,800 inhabitants and you’ll find many other activities to do like exploring San Juan Island National Historical Park, checking out downtown Friday Harbor, or hopping on the ferry to Canada or one of the other nearby islands.
#12: Sequim
Median home price: $471,000
Sequim, WA homes for sale
Sequim, WA apartments for rent
There are lots of beaches in Sequim, great for a day outside, like Sequim Bay State Park. If you’re looking for a different activity, be sure to check out all the shops and cafes in downtown Sequim, visit the Purple Haze Lavender Farm, and enjoy a meal by the water.
#13: Westport
Median home price: $599,000
Westport, WA homes for sale
Westport, WA apartments for rent
If you decide that Westport is the right coastal town in Washington, there are plenty of beachfront spots to visit, like Westport Light State Park. In this town of 28,100 people, you can also check out the views from the Westport Viewing Tower, take a fishing charter, or visit the Westport Light State Park.
Note, this list is not comprehensive of all the beach towns in Washington. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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