10 greatest coastal small cities throughout the United States

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Forget about huge seashore cities like Miami and Laguna Beach! The 10 greatest coastal small cities – every with a inhabitants of fewer than 25,000 individuals as of the final census – provide unpretentious and reasonably priced seaside enjoyable with out the crowds, proving that larger is not all the time higher. A panel of consultants partnered with 10Best editors to select the preliminary nominees, and the highest 10 winners have been decided by widespread vote.

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No. 10: Cape May, New Jersey

Known as “America’s original seaside resort,” Cape May has been a trip vacation spot for the reason that concept of vacationing in a distinct location started. Initially settled by fishermen and whalers in America’s colonial days, town was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. 10Best contributor Marla Cimini notes that this “southernmost point in New Jersey is filled with quaint architecture and offers a family-friendly vibe for your vacation!”

Photo courtesy of Visit Maine // Beal’s Lobster Pier

No. 9: Bar Harbor, Maine

This gateway to Acadia National Park has been a coastal cease for summer time vacationers for greater than 200 years. But with a flourishing year-round inhabitants and procuring, eating and nightlife, Bar Harbor is far more than a vacationer vacation spot. Enjoy the ocean cliffs, rocky seashores and the pure magnificence surrounding this magical neighborhood.

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No. 8: Los Osos, California

“Los Osos, California seems to have it all,” says 10Best Local Expert Sherel Purcell. “Small, sophisticated restaurants and coffee shops sit on the quiet seaside that offers the best views of Morro Rock, which appears to rise out of the sea to the north. A hillside golf course overlooks a sleepy bay and the beautiful Montaña de Oro State Park.”

Photo courtesy of Kevin Henney

No. 7: Half Moon Bay, California

This northern California “seaside hamlet that time forgot” tells guests that solely their creativeness limits their alternatives for exploration. Half Moon Bay presents sea adventures reminiscent of kayaking, browsing, whale watching, fishing or watching the big-wave surfers and discovering the gorgeous seashores and tide swimming pools.

The historic downtown presents parks, reside music, procuring, galleries and particular occasions, such because the Art and Pumpkin Festival, Shakespeare within the Park, and the Wine & Jazz Festival. Come to reside or come to get away from all of it – Half Moon Bay presents all of it with its rural appeal.

Photo courtesy of traveloregon.com

No. 6: Bandon, Oregon

This small city on the Oregon coast encompasses a somewhat distinctive arts group. Washed Ashore promotes environmental conservation by the development of large-scale sculptures of marine animals made solely from collected ocean trash. The city additionally hosts an annual Port of Bandon Boardwalk Art Show.

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No. 5: Nags Head, North Carolina

One of the Outer Banks’ hottest vacationer locations, Nags Head is widespread with guests for its broad number of eating places, pure and historic sights, and luxurious ocean views. Nags Head seashores are pet-friendly, and water lovers will discover retailers for a lot of of their favourite sports activities, together with kayaking, windsurfing and kiteboarding.

The historic Jennette’s Pier presents distinctive “in-shore” fishing and is house to a small museum and academic analysis middle. For these looking for extra journey, the Bodie Island Lighthouse offers guests a spectacular ocean view from the highest of the 156-foot tower throughout the summer time months.

Photo courtesy of Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce

No. 4: Rockport, Texas

Across the Aransas Bay from Corpus Christi, the streets of Rockport are lined with artwork galleries – the city claims to have the very best proportion of artists in Texas. The pedestrian-friendly downtown is full of outlets and eating places and, most of the time, lodging takes the type of old school motel courts. Windswept oak timber and enormous swaths of protected coastal wetlands make this part of the Texas Gulf Coast one of many loveliest.

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No. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina

The small neighborhood of Georgetown on the Carolina coast is what Charleston was – 200-year-old houses (greater than Charleston, in reality), numerous Southern appeal and not one of the crowds. Local eating places serve up Lowcountry specialties, and out of doors adventures would possibly embrace kayaking, fishing or paddleboarding.

Photo courtesy of iStock / ArtistheJourney

No. 2: Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi

The quaint seaside city of Bay St. Louis calls itself “a place apart,” and it’s straightforward to see why. The pleasant neighborhood has every little thing you’d need from a small city seaside escape – a store-lined Main Street, eating places serving contemporary Gulf seafood, museums and an 8.5-mile canoe and kayak path.

Photo courtesy of ArtistheJourney // Getty Images

No. 1: Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Known because the “City of Discovery,” the historic coastal city of Ocean Springs is the proper place for guests to chill out and luxuriate in. After exploring downtown with its quaint cottage-like Main Street, inventive aptitude and small city attraction, head to the seashore for a day within the solar. Stroll alongside miles of sentimental white sand and discover extra tranquil stretches of seashore for romantic walks or moonlight picnics. Take a ship cruise and luxuriate in dinner and an impressive sundown, or paddleboard, kayak or canoe alongside river bayous and thru always growing pure marshlands.