These 10 coastal small towns offer plenty of fun and relaxation

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Forget about big beach cities like Miami and Laguna Beach! The 10 best coastal small towns – each with a population of fewer than 25,000 people as of the last census – offer unpretentious and affordable seaside fun without the crowds, proving that bigger isn't always better. A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

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No. 10: Cape May, New Jersey

Known as “America’s original seaside resort,” Cape May has been a vacation destination since the idea of vacationing in a different location began. Initially settled by fishermen and whalers in America’s colonial days, the city was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. 10Best contributor Marla Cimini notes that this “southernmost point in New Jersey is filled with quaint architecture and offers a family-friendly vibe for your vacation!”

Photo courtesy of Visit Maine // Beal's Lobster Pier

No. 9: Bar Harbor, Maine

This gateway to Acadia National Park has been a coastal stop for summer vacationers for more than 200 years. But with a flourishing year-round population and shopping, dining and nightlife, Bar Harbor is much more than a tourist destination. Enjoy the ocean cliffs, rocky beaches and the natural beauty surrounding this magical community.

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No. 8: Los Osos, California

“Los Osos, California seems to have it all,” says 10Best Local Expert Sherel Purcell. “Small, sophisticated restaurants and coffee shops sit on the quiet seaside that offers the best views of Morro Rock, which appears to rise out of the sea to the north. A hillside golf course overlooks a sleepy bay and the beautiful Montaña de Oro State Park.”

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No. 7: Half Moon Bay, California

This northern California “seaside hamlet that time forgot” tells visitors that only their imagination limits their opportunities for exploration. Half Moon Bay offers sea adventures such as kayaking, surfing, whale watching, fishing or watching the big-wave surfers and discovering the beautiful beaches and tide pools.

The historic downtown offers parks, live music, shopping, galleries and special events, such as the Art and Pumpkin Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, and the Wine & Jazz Festival. Come to live or come to get away from it all – Half Moon Bay offers it all with its rural charm.

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No. 6: Bandon, Oregon

This small town on the Oregon coast features a rather unique arts organization. Washed Ashore promotes environmental conservation through the construction of large-scale sculptures of marine animals made entirely from collected ocean trash. The town also hosts an annual Port of Bandon Boardwalk Art Show.

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No. 5: Nags Head, North Carolina

One of the Outer Banks’ most popular tourist destinations, Nags Head is popular with visitors for its wide variety of restaurants, natural and historical attractions, and magnificent ocean views. Nags Head beaches are pet-friendly, and water lovers will find outlets for many of their favorite sports, including kayaking, windsurfing and kiteboarding.

The historic Jennette’s Pier offers exceptional “in-shore” fishing and is home to a small museum and educational research center. For those seeking more adventure, the Bodie Island Lighthouse gives visitors a spectacular ocean view from the top of the 156-foot tower during the summer months.

Photo courtesy of Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce

No. 4: Rockport, Texas

Across the Aransas Bay from Corpus Christi, the streets of Rockport are lined with art galleries – the town claims to have the highest percentage of artists in Texas. The pedestrian-friendly downtown is filled with shops and restaurants and, more often than not, accommodation takes the form of old-fashioned motel courts. Windswept oak trees and large swaths of protected coastal wetlands make this section of the Texas Gulf Coast one of the loveliest.

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No. 3: Georgetown, South Carolina

The small community of Georgetown on the Carolina coast is what Charleston used to be – 200-year-old homes (more than Charleston, in fact), lots of Southern charm and none of the crowds. Local restaurants serve up Lowcountry specialties, and outdoor adventures might include kayaking, fishing or paddleboarding.

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No. 2: Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi

The quaint seaside town of Bay St. Louis calls itself “a place apart,” and it’s easy to see why. The friendly community has everything you’d want from a small town seaside escape – a store-lined Main Street, restaurants serving fresh Gulf seafood, museums and an 8.5-mile canoe and kayak trail.

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No. 1: Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Known as the “City of Discovery,” the historic coastal town of Ocean Springs is the perfect place for visitors to relax and enjoy. After exploring downtown with its quaint cottage-like Main Street, artistic flair and small town appeal, head to the beach for a day in the sun. Stroll along miles of soft white sand and find more tranquil stretches of beach for romantic walks or moonlight picnics. Take a boat cruise and enjoy dinner and a magnificent sunset, or paddleboard, kayak or canoe along river bayous and through constantly developing natural marshlands.