California may be king when its comes to well known beach locations, but there are a couple of other beaches on the West Coast that offer great vacation scenery and attractions, as well. The following highlights two of the best beaches on the West Coast outside of California.

Shi Shi Beach, Washington

The coastline of Shi Shi Beach is rugged, but scenic as those who choose to make the journey to the beach are faced with traversing rough terrain but are rewarded with the beauty of the area and the untouched feel of the beach’s atmosphere. The highlight of this beach is by far the wildlife and natural wilderness that can be experienced by those who make the 13 mile hike to the water’s edge.

Park officials in the area caution visitors about actually swimming in the water due to strong ripcurrents that frequently characterize the local water. This makes Shi Shi Beach a tough sell for those who are looking for a family-friendly vacation spot but is just what the doctor ordered for those who love hiking and the outdoors.

Shi Shi Beach is also home to great fishing. Local fishing charters, such as Tommycod Charters offers travelers the opportunity to catch marine life in either the Neah Bay or the Puget Sound.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach was named for a cannon was found along the shoreline in 1846 that came from the wreck of the USS Shark. Cannon Beach’s most well known natural attraction is the 235-foot tall Haystack Rock.

Cannon Beach offers somewhat chilly conditions with temperatures that rarely rise above 80 degrees even during the summer season. The rugged terrain and natural wildlife of the area are the beach’s main attractions. The area is a popular location for retirement homes that offer the privacy of a scarcely crowded shoreline with the added convenience of being located just 80 miles from Portland.

Those visitors looking to showcase their sandcastle building skills can compete in the annual competition held every June, called Sandcastle Day. Other popular events such as the Puffin Kite Festival and the Stormy Weather Arts Festival are a favorite among tourists in the area.