YOU CAN HAVE YOU CAKE AND EAT IT TOO
Mountain holidays for beach lovers: 10 American spots that have it all
Image: Brand Barmore
The eternal argument of whether to spend the holidays sunbathing on the beach or hiking in the mountains can be elegantly avoided if one of the following ten spots enters the discussion. These are magical landscapes where water, beaches, and mountains, or steep, forested hills, create a picturesque environment for the lucky visitor. Read on to find out where your next vacation could be.
1
Ventura County, California
Image: Paul Hanaoka
A place that hosts the annual Mountains 2 Beach Marathon is a sure bet if you are looking for a place that combines mountains and beaches. Mountain hiking and the classic California coastline lie within 26.2 miles of each other. Located northwest of Los Angeles, Ojai sits in a valley, and the village is dotted with art galleries, farmers markets, and high-desert hikes in the nearby Los Padres National Forest.
When the season is right, many trails can be followed through scrubland, sometimes revealing cascading waterfalls along the Rose Valley Falls Trail. But for waves, visitors head downhill to Ventura, a classic coastal town.
2
Westmoreland State Park, Virginia
Image: Alex wolf mx
Westmoreland State Park in Virginia was established in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Covering 1,299 acres, the park offers sweeping vistas of the coastal plain and the Potomac River.
You can hike, boat, swim, camp, or fish in the majestic wilderness. And if you’re looking for an amazing view of the area, you can head to the natural attraction of Horsehead Cliffs, which rests high above the water.
3
Astoria, Oregon
Image: Nils Huenerfuerst
Oregon is likely one of the first states that come to mind when we think of a combination of beach and mountain. The coastal town of Astoria sits at the estuary of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. It is perhaps most famous as the filming location of the 1980s film The Goonies .
The Pacific Northwest’s beaches have a picturesque quality that is hard to find elsewhere. Hiking trails are just outside the backdoor: the Cathedral Tree-Coxcomb Hill Trail, for example, starts at a 300-year-old Sitka spruce and climbs 164 stairs to offer views of the town, the Coastal Range, and the Pacific Ocean.
4
Herring Cove Beach, Massachusetts
Image: Quino Al
Herring Cove Beach is a national seashore located in Cape Cop and it’s recognized as part of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It’s a popular spot among Provincetown locals featuring warm, calm waters flowing from the Atlantic Ocean.
Activities in the area include swimming, walking along the coastal dunes, or exploring the Beech Forest Trail via bike or on foot.
5
Lake Tahoe, California, and Nevada
Image: Tim Peterson
A familiar name and for good reason, Lake Tahoe offers a beautiful shoreline without being anywhere near the coasts. Destinations like Sand Harbor Beach feature wide expanses of sand, freshwater swimming areas, and beach coves dedicated to snorkelers and divers.
This is the largest alpine lake in the U.S., so the pine-studded hills of the Sierra Nevadas practically tumble into the waters. This makes hiking easily accessible. The Rubicon Trail traces the shores of Emerald Bay and features incredible panoramic views, cliffs, coves, waterfalls, and even a lighthouse along the 13-mile round-trip route.
6
Fort Wetherill State Park, Rhode Island
Image: Praswin Prakashan
Located in Rhode Island, Fort Wetherill State Park is known for its historical significance in controlling the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. During the colonial era, a strategic battery was established to control this passage.
Because of its coastal location, the fort was also used during World War II. Nowadays, visitors come to explore this park and its coastal fort, which perches high atop granite cliffs.
7
Chimney Bluffs State Park, New York
Image: Frank Eiffert
Chimney Bluffs State Park is the spot where colossal rocky spires meet calm, collected waters. This park in New York sits along Lake Ontario on the south shore. To get a good view of the stunning chimney peaks and formations, you should hike the Chimney Bluffs Trail. The park is pet friendly too, so you can bring along your furry friends for the ride.
8
Calvert Cliffs State Park, Maryland
Image: Gary Cole
Calvert Cliffs State Park is not only one of the few parks with both mountains and ocean but it also displays a prized collection of 600 prehistoric fossil species. Between 10 and 20 million years ago, the cliffs at the park were submerged under the sea. But as the water receded, erosion and exposure of the cliffs occurred, unveiling massive fossils.
Visitors can walk, lounge at the soft sandy beach, investigate these fascinating fossils, trek near forested treelines, or admire the unusual cliffs that extend along the Calvert Peninsula.
9
Echo Lake State Park, New Hampshire
Image: Aaron Burden
Echo Lake State Park boasts two stunning ledges: White Horse Ledge and Cathedral Ledge, as well as a lake called Echo Lake. Each of these spots features scenic views of the area and top-notch sites for a family picnic. You can swim, walk, or hike the White Horse Ledge Loop Trail, a 3.1-mile loop.
10
Acadia National Park, Maine
Image: Peregrine Photography
Alongside Oregon parks, Acadia National Park is a prime example of a place that combines mountainous and seaside ambiance. Situated along the Atlantic coastline in Maine, it’s no wonder this impressive scenery attracts visitors for all types of recreational experiences, especially during the fall.
Rocky beaches, towering granite peaks such as the famous Cadillac Mountain, and miles and miles of natural treasure troves perfect for hikers are among the many features this park has to offer.
