Most beautiful beach on the North Pacific Coast
 

I'd like to visit a scenic, not too commercial area with lots of outdoor activities. San Juans? Tofino? Oceanside? <BR>Help!

Big Sur or or Point Reyes or Sea Ranch (all on California's coast)

Check out beachinfo.com and click on Southern California! It has info on everything within 3 miles of the beach, I mean everything! Good Luck!

I'm biased because I live here, but the entire Calif. coast from Point Arena to Fort Bragg is gorgeous, and Big River beach in Mendocino is very nice w/the mouth of Big River spilling into the Pacific. Navarro Beach in Albion is another secluded beach w/large waves in winter and often sea lions taking a sun bath. You can rent canoes/kayaks on Big River and the town of Mendocino is quaint and not crowded during the week. Enjoy our little slice of heaven if you visit.

I see you are asking about areas in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia and everyone who replied so far is talking about California. IMO having lived in many areas from Southern California to the Canadian border the most scenic beaches are in Oregon. And I lived for years in Big Sur which is a great area (and very scenic too). As for the places you specifically mentioned....Oceanside (on Oregon's 3 Capes Loop road) is quite quiet for the NORTHERN Oregon coast but I prefer the southern Oregon coast....say the Bandon area or the Yachats area (that's sort of central coast). If you want quiet and want to be near Oceanside I prefer the nearby Nectarts myself....you can walk to Oceanside on the beach from there if you want and the agate hunting on that beach is the best in Oregon. Neskowin is another quiet area (it's north of Lincoln City) but the locals really don't want people to know it exists. The Washington coast is nowhere near as beautiful. San Juan islands are beautiful but remember that beaches in Washington are on private land (except for the rare state park) whereas Oregon's 360+ miles of shore is all PUBLIC land. Tons more empty mile long beaches to explore in Oregon. <BR>As for Vancouver Island; I have often read Tofino is nice for storm watching etc but it's not an easy place to get to. I've been to Vancouver island many times but never got all the way over to Tofino yet.

long beach tofino

We saw lots of wonderful beaches in Oregon...took some of the hiking trails that go up and up and give you extraordinary views. We stayed on the beach in Yachats and in the evening when the tide is out---wow. Too bad I can't post a pic here because it is simply fantastic.

Do you want the best beach, or the best waterfront area with lots of outdoor activities? Your original post states both things but these are two different requests.
San Juans and Tofino are fantastic, gorgeous, with tons to do and they aren't overly commercial, but they aren't where you would go for the most beautiful beach (and you sure wouldn't go swimming there).

you are helping someone who posted nearly five years ago

and they're also helping someone who is reading this now...