USA Today has come out with its annual list of best coastal towns in the States. Once again, California and Florida dominate the top 10.
Coming out in first place was Pismo Beach, California; a fabulous town on the Central Coast between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This is my fave part of the California coastline, with smaller cities like Pismo Beach and nearby Avila Beach, as well as great towns such as Cambria and Morro Bay.
Here’s what USA Today experts and readers had to say about Pismo Beach: “Located along California’s Central Coast, Pismo Beach draws in plenty of visitors with its quiet beaches and array of wineries and outlet shopping. Other highlights to check out include Dinosaur Caves Park, the Monarch Butterfly Grove, and the award-winning boardwalk. You might also enjoy some fishing or surfing if you prefer to stay on the water.”
The town of Avalon on Catalina Island. Jim Byers Photo
Morro Bay, California, which I spent a day in last year and simply adored, was third, followed by Avalon, a fabulous, laid-back town on Catalina Island. I got to visit in the spring of 2024 and found it a breath of fresh air, and easily reached from the Southern California mainland.
Stunning Carmel-by-the-Sea, which might have the prettiest beach in the state, was ninth.
Stuart, Florida, a community south of Vero Beach and north of Palm Beach, which I have somehow missed on my roughly two dozen trips to the Sunshine State over the years, grabbed the silver medal for second place. Cedar Key, Florida (one of my fave places in the state) came 10th overall.
I can’t figure out how none of the coastal towns in Oregon or Washington state made the list, but maybe they don’t get as many visitors as towns in California, Florida and the eastern seaboard.
Here’s the USA Today top ten:
1. Pismo Beach, California
2. Stuart, Florida
3. Morro Bay, California
4. Avalon (Catalina Island), California
5. Castine, Maine
6. Cape May, New Jersey
7. Gulf Shores, Alabama
8. Beaufort, North Carolina
9. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
10. Cedar Key, Florida
The Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast in Cedar Key, Florida. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Added suggestions from Jim
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina (a small village south of Myrtle Beach)
Paia, Maui
Dunedin, Florida
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Capitola, California
City Island, New York City (part of the Bronx, but unlike anything else you’ll find in the city)
NEW AIR CANADA CAFES
The new Air Canada Cafe at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Air Canada today opened a new Air Canada Café at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), marking its second Café location for its Domestic customers, expanding its premium ground offering and continuing its investment in the customer experience. This follows the successful launch of a new Café at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in the Transborder sector.
“With our first Vancouver Café, we celebrated the spirit of the city, and we’re thrilled to deepen that connection with a second and larger Café space that adds more of the features our customers love,” said Jacqueline Harkness, Managing Director, Product & Services at Air Canada. “The new Vancouver and Montréal Cafés are key parts of our commitment to keep investing in the customer journey. Each is designed to capture the unique spirit of its respective city, and we look forward to welcoming our customers to these new spaces.”
Opening its doors today, the second Air Canada Café at YVR is located on the C concourse near gates 50 and 51 and offers an expanded 84-seat, 4,489-square-foot space. Anchoring the premium experience is a full-service bar with specialty barista-made coffees, local craft beers on tap and a selection of local wines.
The Vancouver opening follows the March 24 debut of a new Air Canada Café in the U.S. departures pier at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, marking Air Canada’s second Café location at YUL. The 62-seat Montréal Café is inspired by the city’s renowned “third wave” coffee culture and offers U.S.-bound travellers a premium pre-flight experience. The menu features iconic Montréal classics including smoked meat sandwiches, fresh bagels, and artisanal pastries.
Speaking of Air Canada, you can now save in cash or Aeroplan points on Air Canada destinations worldwide, including new summer favourites like the Azores, Mallorca and Berlin. Click here for more information.
CRUISE NEWS AND VIEWS
The Explorers’ Lounge on the Viking Saturn cruise ship. Photo courtesy Viking.
My friends at Open Jaw have a nice review of the new Trafalgar river cruise ship, which set said from Amsterdam a few days ago. As the Uniworld brand brings new ships on board, the Travel Corporation focused on repurposing rather than retiring surplus ones. With that, Trafalgar River Cruises was launched as an independent sister brand positioned as a more affordable and relaxed option with fewer inclusions e.g. self-serve breakfast and lunch. It’s an interesting concept that definitely sets them apart in the river cruise biz … Virgin Voyages arrived on the West Coast this week as Brilliant Lady made its debut at the Port of Los Angeles. The milestone moment welcomed more than two-thousand guests onboard, ushering in a new era for the brand in California … Royal Caribbean has announced the repositioning of Symphony of the Seas from Galveston, Texas, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the 2027 season. The ship will operate Caribbean itineraries ranging from six to eight nights starting next year …. Carnival Cruise Line plans to offer a series of invite-only, adults-only sailings aboard Carnival Firenze later this year. According to a statement shared with PEOPLE, the company plans to offer four new sailings from Long Beach. California between October 12 and November 20 … TimeOut.com reports that a recent analysis of inspection data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by travel insurance provider Squaremouth, covering more than a decade of reports, reveals which cruise operators are leading the pack when it comes to hygiene. Topping the list are Viking Ocean, Viking Expedition and Crystal Cruises, all earning identical top scores …
