The 25 Best Seaside Small Towns in California

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 358 towns of 2,500–10,000 people in California. #1 is Fort Bragg, CA.

1. 25Myrtletown, California

   More seaside character than 95% of California towns

   4,882 people · Humboldt County · median home $453,400 · income $60,457 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

2. 24Camp Pendleton Mainside, California

   More seaside character than 95% of California towns

   9,683 people · San Diego County · median home — · income $61,575 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

3. 23Bertsch-Oceanview, California

   More seaside character than 96% of California towns

   2,520 people · Del Norte County · median home $191,300 · income $73,173 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

4. 22Las Lomas, California

   More seaside character than 96% of California towns

   3,046 people · Monterey County · median home $687,300 · income $86,775 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

5. 21Santa Venetia, California

   More seaside character than 96% of California towns

   4,289 people · Marin County · median home $1,006,300 · income $126,833 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

6. 20La Selva Beach, California

   More seaside character than 97% of California towns

   2,531 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $1,325,700 · income $160,833 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

7. 19Channel Islands Beach, California

   More seaside character than 97% of California towns

   2,870 people · Ventura County · median home $1,111,200 · income $107,380 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

8. 18Pajaro, California

   More seaside character than 97% of California towns

   2,882 people · Monterey County · median home $750,000 · income $84,875 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

9. 17Strawberry, California

   More seaside character than 97% of California towns

   5,447 people · Marin County · median home $2,000,001 · income $157,661 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

10. 16Cambria, California

    More seaside character than 97% of California towns

    5,678 people · San Luis Obispo County · median home $930,200 · income $99,147 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

11. 15Tiburon, California

    More seaside character than 97% of California towns

    9,146 people · Marin County · median home $2,000,001 · income $232,969 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

12. 14Bayview, California

    More seaside character than 98% of California towns

    2,619 people · Humboldt County · median home $416,400 · income $48,406 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

13. 13El Granada, California

    More seaside character than 98% of California towns

    5,481 people · San Mateo County · median home $1,424,700 · income $213,347 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

14. 12Crescent City, California

    More seaside character than 98% of California towns

    6,673 people · Del Norte County · median home $306,500 · income $35,540 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

15. 11Cayucos, California

    More seaside character than 99% of California towns

    2,505 people · San Luis Obispo County · median home $1,011,900 · income $87,235 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

16. 10Montara, California

    More seaside character than 99% of California towns

    2,833 people · San Mateo County · median home $1,580,700 · income $233,826 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

17. 9Moss Beach, California

    More seaside character than 99% of California towns

    3,214 people · San Mateo County · median home $1,123,100 · income $99,680 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

18. 8Seacliff, California

    More seaside character than 99% of California towns

    3,280 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $1,143,600 · income $130,385 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

19. 7North Richmond, California

    More seaside character than 99% of California towns

    4,175 people · Contra Costa County · median home $623,900 · income $100,673 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

20. 6Brisbane, California

    More seaside character than 99% of California towns

    4,851 people · San Mateo County · median home $1,232,200 · income $156,169 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

21. 5Montalvin Manor, California

    More seaside character than 100% of California towns

    3,099 people · Contra Costa County · median home $438,600 · income $79,542 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

22. 4Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

    More seaside character than 100% of California towns

    3,220 people · Monterey County · median home $2,000,001 · income $129,250 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

23. 3Avalon, California

    More seaside character than 100% of California towns

    3,460 people · Los Angeles County · median home $936,000 · income $105,139 · Jan low 50°F

24. 2Pleasure Point, California

    More seaside character than 100% of California towns

    5,821 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $1,183,600 · income $119,821 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

25. 1Fort Bragg, California

    More seaside character than 100% of California towns

    6,983 people · Mendocino County · median home $535,400 · income $56,481 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

Price vs ranking

More California rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in California
• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in California
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 10 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California With Mild Winters

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Seaside Small Towns in America
• The 25 Best Seaside Small Towns in New York
• The 16 Best Seaside Small Towns in Texas
• The 25 Best Seaside Small Towns in New Jersey