5 Walkable US Beach Towns Where You Can Skip The Car

Everyone has their favorite part of the beach vacation, whether it's lounging in the sun, catching a wave, or browsing cute, sandy boutiques. But not many of us look forward to the red lights, circling for parking spots, and congested roadways that seem unavoidable in many popular U.S. beach towns. But with a little planning, you can plan a getaway that allows you to park the car and walk everywhere you need to go. 

Trade the hassle of driving for fresh air and casual strolls between the beach and cafes, between your hotel and nights on the town. Below is a compilation of five walkable U.S. beach towns that aren't just quaint communities with accessible coffee shops and grocery stores. They're vibrant and diverse, with plenty of things to do for travelers and enough charm to make you want to stay longer than you'd planned. 

Most of these beach towns are fully enjoyable without a car. This is backed up with a high Walk Score to confirm just how walkable these cities are, or personal accounts from those who came before. In some cases, getting to and from the nearest airport is just as fuss-free. Expect all the convenience of America's most walkable cities, but trade the street noise for lapping waves and the drone of civilization for live music wafting from beachside cafes.

Approximately 2.5 hours from San Francisco, Carmel-by-the-Sea, often overlooked but loaded with charm, brands itself as "a storybook kind of place." Full of boutiques, restaurants, bars, and art galleries, travelers who want to indulge in leisurely activities such as shopping, wine tasting, or art viewing will feel right in their element here. 

The main attraction is, of course, the beach, which is just a 12-minute walk from the village center along Ocean Avenue. There are countless hotel and rental options within the same radius. Walk up or down Carmel Beach with your toes dipping into the soft, white sand at sunset for a view you're unlikely to forget. Canine companions are welcome for those interested in traveling with their four-legged friends.

Carmel-by-the-Sea boasts a whopping 92 points on Walk Score, making it what the site calls a "walker's paradise." What's more, travelers can access the village using local transit from Monterey Regional Airport, which is served by several regional airlines. The ride takes approximately an hour. Once you're in town, bicycles are also available to rent for those who want to explore on two wheels. 

Provincetown is the oldest continuous art community in America, with over 100 years of history. So when you walk around Provincetown, remember that writers, poets, artists, and other creative minds have wandered these very same streets in search of inspiration. It won't come as a surprise that the art galleries, museums, and other creative spaces are a big part of Provincetown and deserve to be included in any itinerary. The destination also stands out for its foodie offerings: You'll quickly find that Provincetown excels in offering comforting snacks and dishes. Lobster rolls are a must-try here, as are shrimp and oysters. 

P-town, as the locals call it, is situated at the northernmost tip of Cape Cod and is surrounded by stunning beaches. Many of them are part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, home to a diverse ecosystem of coastal and sea life. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, or go to Race Point Beach for some free whale watching. Herring Cove Beach is where you'll want to be at sunset.

The area has a "very walkable" Walk Score of 86 and a bike score even higher at 92. While it may seem like it's not possible (or easy!) to get to Provincetown without a car, you may want to think again. Commuter airline Cape Air flies into Provincetown Municipal daily from Boston. Alternatively, one Reddit user recommends another mode of transport: "If you fly to Logan airport, it's very easy to take public transportation to the ferry. Then, ride the ferry to Provincetown. Provincetown is very walkable, and you could also rent a bike. You definitely don't need a car." The fast ferry departs several times daily between mid-May and mid-November.

One of the Outer Banks' least-visited islands, Ocracoke is a small but lively village in North Carolina on an island by the same name. It's the only Outer Banks community that isn't directly connected to Highway 12 — unless you count the ferry. Here, walkability isn't a feature; it's a lifestyle. You can walk around this beachside community for about a mile in almost any direction.

Walk Score rates the village as "car-dependent" because it's challenging to reach and small. But once you get there, we think you'll find more than enough to explore on foot. As one visitor on Reddit mentions, "There's pretty much no reason to take your car. As you can walk the whole town." A visit to the 1823 Ocracoke Lighthouse is a must. The lighthouse is still operational — in fact, it is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the U.S. It's about 2 miles to the closest beach, Lifeguard Beach — not a quick stroll, but not a bad walk by any means — or you can rent a bicycle or a golf cart. 

Ocracoke is perhaps the most isolated destination on this list. First, you'll need to make your way to Cedar Island, Swan Quarter, or Hatteras Island to catch a car ferry to the island. Unfortunately, these points are far from major cities, so the only practical way to get to them is by renting a car. The nearest airports with airline service are New Bern (1.5 hours from Cedar Island) and Raleigh (3 hours from Swan Quarter). Having a car here means you can park it while exploring the village, but still use it to explore the more distant beaches or the rest of the Outer Banks. But don't miss staying in Ocracoke for a night or two to give yourself ample time to walk around the village.

Key West offers just about everything you could want from a Florida vacation: sandy beaches, snorkeling opportunities, and a lively nightlife. Head to Smathers Beach for sunbathing and water activities, with jet skis available for rental. History buffs will enjoy walking around Old Town, a neighborhood dotted with 19th-century homes. 

In the evenings, walk around town and enter a neighborhood bar or restaurant for live entertainment and seafood dishes — and don't forget the cocktail. Duval Street is where the most bars and restaurants are, but you can find a ton of great eats and drinks in quieter settings all over the area. Consider visiting Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, a little-known spot with Caribbean beauty. After a guided tour of the Civil War-era fort, head to its beautiful beach, where you can swim among colorful corals and their fish residents. The park is about a 20-minute walk from Key West Aquarium. 

Key West has a Walk Score of 73, with Old Town being especially walkable. The most straightforward way to visit the island is to fly into Key West International Airport. You may also opt for the high-speed ferry, which departs from Fort Myers Beach and Marco Island. Taxis and ride shares are plentiful for getting between more distant parts of the island, plus it's a very popular place to rent bikes or golf carts to get around.

Oregon may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of walkable beach towns, but there are hidden gems along the Pacific Coast, and Cannon Beach is one of them. This tiny village runs parallel to a beautiful stretch of Pacific-facing beach where you can marvel at the iconic 235-foot-tall Haystack Rock. 

Chat with baristas at local coffee shops or shop for unique souvenirs at one of the curated boutiques around town. From there, walk along one of the many pathways that lead directly to the beach. One AllTrails said, "Recommend a walk through Cannon Beach to view homes, gardens, and additional views of the Haystack Rock on the north end of the beach. It's amazingly beautiful."

The town's Walk Score is 60, or "somewhat walkable," likely due to its small size and somewhat remote location. But we think the beauty of the town and the ease of strolling restaurants, cafes, and shops along Hemlock Street, just steps from the beautiful beach, more than make up for it. It is easiest to drive to Cannon Beach, but luckily, there is a way to get here by public transportation: Point's NorthWest Route between Portland and Astoria, which stops in town twice a day, year-round, including holidays. This ease of access makes Cannon Beach an excellent day trip destination for travelers staying in Portland.

The primary criteria for this list were walkability, specifically the short or accessible distances between the beaches and attractions and the town's major hot spots, be it hotels and resorts or charming main street areas. Towns featured on this list had to include a variety of places to stay, places to eat, and other attractions that would keep visitors coming back for more.  

Websites like Walk Score and anecdotal accounts on forums like Reddit and review websites such as AllTrails helped confirm that destinations were, in fact, pedestrian-friendly. The second most important criterion was accessibility from the nearest airport. Public transportation or public buses, to allow for a completely car-free trip, were preferred, though some exceptions were made for spots where the walkability was so great that it was worth a longer travel day.

While there are many great walkable beach towns in California, the state with the most walkable cities, and Florida, this list also highlights destinations from the rest of the country, hopefully introducing travelers to a few lesser-known cities and towns.