We don’t chase famous beach towns anymore.
We’ve done that. The parking hunts. The dinner waits. The feeling that you’re visiting a brand instead of a place.
Now we care about something simpler. Can we walk by the water without bumping into a photoshoot? Are we able to sit down somewhere and not feel rushed? Can the town exist without trying to impress us?
That’s what underrated means to us.
Not secret. Not untouched. Just not exhausting.
Underrated Coastal Towns in the US
If you’re looking for underrated coastal towns in the US, you’re probably not searching for a party beach. You want somewhere that still feels local. Somewhere you can exhale.
Here are fifteen that feel that way to us.
1. Beaufort, North Carolina
We live here. So this isn’t a dreamy weekend memory. It’s regular life.
We sold everything and downsized to move here. It’s just the best!
Beaufort in July can be busy. We won’t pretend otherwise. But Beaufort in October? Different story.
Front Street quiets down. The air shifts. The dock smells like salt and clean fresh air. We’ll grab coffee and sit by the water while the same handful of locals walk their dogs past us.
There are wild horses across the channel. Sometimes, you can spot dolphins- neither of these instances gets old, no matter how often it happens.
That’s how you know a place feels real.
2. Cape Charles, Virginia
Virginia Beach gets the noise. Cape Charles gets the calm.
It’s bay water, not crashing Atlantic waves. You can bike the whole town without feeling like traffic is hunting you.
It’s small. Intentionally small. That’s the point.
3. Grand Marais, Minnesota
Lake Superior counts. We don’t care what anyone says.
Grand Marais feels like standing at the edge of something big and cold and honest. The lake looks like an ocean when the wind picks up. You’ll need a jacket, even when you think you won’t.
Artists live here. Hikers wake up early here. It’s not beachy. It’s better than beachy.
Most coastal lists ignore the Great Lakes entirely. That feels lazy.
4. Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is moodier than Cannon Beach. Less polished. More interesting.
The river is wide and gray. The buildings look like they’ve survived storms rather than been styled for them.
It doesn’t try to charm you. It just exists.
We respect that.
5. Port Arkansas, Texas
This one isn’t glamorous. It’s about half an hour from Corpus Christi.
It’s sandy feet. Casual seafood. Sun that hits harder than you expected.
It’s the kind of place where you rinse off outside and call that good enough. And sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
6. St. Michaels, Maryland
Annapolis pulls attention. St. Michaels feels like the quieter option when you’re tired of attention.
Sailboats drift by. Dinner lasts longer than planned because no one is rushing you out.
It’s coastal without becoming a performance.
7. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
The Mississippi Gulf Coast doesn’t get enough credit.
Bay St. Louis rebuilt itself after Katrina and somehow kept its personality. It feels creative. A little scrappy. Very local.
Not curated. Not trying too hard.
8. Brunswick, Georgia
Savannah dominates coastal Georgia conversations. Brunswick sits nearby and doesn’t compete.
Historic streets. Easier island access. Fewer themed cocktail bars.
It feels lived in. That’s the appeal.
9. Sandpoint, Idaho
Yes, it’s a lake town. Yes, it still counts.
Lake Pend Oreille is massive and framed by mountains. You can paddleboard in the morning and grab dinner without circling for parking forever.
Inland coastlines deserve more respect.
10. Sitka, Alaska
Some Alaska towns, like Skagway, revolve around cruise ship schedules.
Sitka seems to revolve around the weather.
Mountains. Eagles. Water that makes you quiet.
It’s not a beach town. It’s something deeper than that.
11. Apalachicola, Florida
Old Florida energy.
Oyster bars. Fishing boats. Historic buildings without high-rise shadows.
If you’ve only done Florida through condo towers, this will feel different.
12. Port Townsend, Washington
Victorian buildings. Ferry views. Creative undercurrent.
You can wander here without an agenda, and that feels rare these days.
13. Fairhope, Alabama
Mobile Bay sunsets are underrated.
Fairhope doesn’t scream for attention. It doesn’t need to.
Walkable downtown. Calm parks. Space.
14. Rockland, Maine
Bar Harbor gets the buses.
Rockland gets the working harbor. Fishing boats. Straightforward seafood. Fewer tour groups.
It feels more grounded.
15. Morro Bay, California
Big Sur and Carmel usually steal the spotlight.
Morro Bay just sits there with Morro Rock rising out of the water like it’s quietly confident.
Parking is easier. The pace is slower. The views are still dramatic.
That’s enough.
What Makes a Coastal Town Underrated?
For us, it’s simple.
Walkability.
Local ownership.
Fewer chains.
Less noise.
Not perfection. Not secrecy. Just balance.
When to Visit
Shoulder season almost always wins.
Spring and fall offer the same water views, with fewer people and better prices. Even well-known towns feel different when you skip peak summer.
Why We Keep Choosing Places Like This
We used to stack our schedules.
Now we stack slower mornings.
Coastal towns that don’t demand anything from us tend to be the ones we remember most.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t one single answer. It depends on what you’re looking for. For us, underrated means less commercial, walkable, and still shaped by locals. A place like Beaufort, North Carolina, is often overlooked because it maintains its identity without becoming a full-scale tourist destination. Others might feel that way about Grand Marais on Lake Superior or Bay St. Louis along the Gulf Coast.
Yes. The Great Lakes are massive freshwater coastlines. Towns like Grand Marais, Minnesota, sit directly on Lake Superior and experience weather, waves, and harbor life that feel very much like those of ocean towns. They’re often overlooked in “coastal town” lists, but they absolutely count.
Shoulder season is usually ideal. Late spring and early fall offer fewer crowds, more affordable lodging, and a slower pace. Many coastal towns feel completely different outside peak summer months.
