The 4 most beautiful beach towns on the west coast that no one knows about

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Even the most seasoned travelers with passport stamps filling every page can still be shocked by what they discover.

‘Hidden gems’ may be an overused term, but the fact is that there is something magical about finding places that no one seems to know about, and often they leave a lasting impression that is even greater than global icons.

When it comes to the West Coast, most travelers opt for a handful of major cities and trendy beach resorts.

In between is what’s left for the locals, who tend to remain tight-lipped about their picture-perfect hometown.

But today, as a California resident, I’m putting on my Joker mask and playing the villain as I reveal the West Coast’s four most beautiful beach towns that have been kept secret for far too long.

4) Fort Bragg, CA: ‘Glass’ banks and towering redwoods

Let’s face it: With the exception of Long Beach and all around The Bay, many beaches in California look like images of each other.

But if there’s one specific coastline that’s more unique than the rest, it’s Fort Bragg.

Home to Glass beachJust as it sounds, the coast sparkles with kaleidoscopic sea glass, making for the perfect photo.

Don’t worry: You won’t cut your feet open and have to make an unexpected trip to the ER. The ‘glass’ is smooth, so your journey will be too.

But Fort Bragg is not a one-trick pony. As if glassy beaches weren’t cool enough, how about vast forests with trees you can’t wrap your arms around?

That’s right, this city is home to numerous Redwood sites and pristine waterfalls, including:

• MacKerricher State Park
• Russian Gulch State Park

Better yet, make sure you hop aboard the Skunk Train to enjoy the scenery even more.

3) Tillamook, OR: Cake Cheese By The Ocean

They say it’s not easy to be cheesy. That is unless you are in Tillamook, Oregon.

If you are a cheese lover like me, you may have bought Tillamook brand dairy products at your favorite grocer without realizing that Tillamook is a real place that just happens to be a seamless gateway to an alien coastline that no one ever seems to talk about.

This little-known foodie town is a fun visit in itself, but on the outskirts of town are rugged coastlines speckled with towering sea stacks, misty headlands and wide-open beaches that seem straight out of a Pacific Northwest dream.

People talk more about Bigfoot sightings than the Tillamook coast, and that’s a shame. Especially when you visit places like Cape Lookout State Park.

And yes, while you’re here, you can visit the Tillamook Creamery. It’s mandatory, right?

2) Carpinteria, CA: the ‘safest beach in the world’

Despite what you hear about California’s ‘zombieland’ streets in the big cities, an off-the-radar paradise has been crowned the ‘safest’ beach destination in the world.

Next to Santa Barbara is the historic town of Carpinteria, with a beautiful old town and even nicer beaches that rarely attract large crowds, with the exception of the annual California Avocado Festival held every fall.

Like I said, I live in California. Guess how many times I’ve heard people talk enthusiastically about Carpinteria…

Zero. It is loved locally.

But that makes this gem even more appealing as one of the few yet-to-be-discovered hideaways on the west coast, perfect for dolphin spotting, surfing or just relaxing with a White Claw in hand (hide it from the lifeguards!).

1) Solana Beach, CA: San Diegans will hate me for exposing this place

Well…it was a good run.

Maybe I’ll be banned from local taco shops and threatened by dude-bro surfers for revealing our beloved hideaway to tourists who pour in like clockwork every spring and summer.

San Diego vacationers usually choose Coronado, Mission Beach, Del Mar, and La Jolla, but Solana Beach has stayed off the typical tourist path as a local getaway that can be enjoyed year-round.

Located next to the arrogant, pinky crowd of Del Mar, this laid-back town is the antidote to a feeling of Real SoCal with hole-in-the-wall taco shops, walking distance shopping and other dining options, and pristine beaches hidden beneath vertiginous cliffs that tourists often miss.

Since there are no big hotels and resorts, you can spend a day trip here and blend in with the locals in places like Pizza Gateinstead of Botox-injected Karens in posh Del Mar and La Jolla.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.