Western beaches

[campclose]

I have only ever been on the East Coast. I've been to many beaches up and down the coast. I would love to know if the West Coast beaches are the same as East Coast beaches? Am I missing anything by staying on the East Coast?

[Grandpa]

I'm no beach expert or even a beach bum. But I have seen a couple of Atlantic beaches, some Pacific beaches and some gulf beaches. By and large, I think they are all about the same in they run the gamut of beaches. Carmel was probably the cleanest I have seen when stationed at Fort Ord. The gulf beaches at Gulfport and Corpus Christi were probably the least inviting, at least to me. The best scenery that my limited visits have seen are in Oregon. But, like the reason for a menu in the Cafe, we all have different opinions of what is best.

[ppine]

I have been bi-coastal and used to surf as a young man and grew up on boats. East Coast beaches have eroded, old, fairly flat surfaces with a lot of dune formation, lagoons, canals, and backwater. That makes for lots of places to explore and good harbors. The water is fairly warm especially south of Maryland and the Gulf Stream.
You know the seafood.

On the West Coast beaches are formed on emerging coast lines that tend to be steep, rocky, and have few good harbors. The water is cold because of the Japanese Current. SF Bay, the Columbia River and Willamette River by Portland, OR and Puget Sound, WA are spectacular with great oysters, clams, salmon, Dungeness crab etc. The water is cold and not very condusive to water contact sports without a wet suit. Even in summer in So Cal the water can be cold 60s. Puget Sound is around 55 degrees all year.The scenery is wonderful. I have seen elk grazing on the beach near Olympic Nat Park. Swimming there is a disappointment. There are so few boats it surprises visitors. Going from Puget Sound up into BC is even more remote.

You have to draw your own conclusions.
Edit-
Even CA is foggy in months like May and June. No CA, OR, and WA tend to be rainy and cool except for late July and August. The San Juans and Gulf Stream Is, BC tend to be drier and warmer.