Explore some of the best coastal towns along the Pacific, where accessible tidepool steps and scenic trails offer unforgettable views of marine life and rugged shorelines. These picturesque destinations provide the perfect balance of natural beauty, with easy access to rocky tidepools and well-maintained walking paths that wind along the coast. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply looking to enjoy a peaceful day by the ocean, these spots offer a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps keep this content free. Please read our disclosure for more info.
La Jolla, California
La Jolla has a cluster of rocky shelves that form tidepools that can be reached by stairways from the shoreline. At low tide, you can see starfish, sea anemones, and small crabs close to the steps. Near these tidepools are paths along the sandstone bluffs that offer views of waves breaking and ocean birds above. The area feels alive with water motion and natural color against the warm rock.
The village region of La Jolla itself connects many small trails and coastal viewpoints. Walkers can trace paths past beaches and coves with gentle ups and downs and small benches for resting. The combination of clear water and direct walkways makes it easy for visitors to spend a morning moving between tidepools and scenic overlooks.
Laguna Beach, California
Laguna Beach has many hidden coves where stairways lead down to natural tidepools. You will find hermit crabs, tiny fish, and sea stars in shallow pools around reefs when the tide is low. These steps and small beaches sit between rocky faces that rise from the ocean and give a strong sense of place. People enjoy moving from one cove to the next along the shoreline…