Point Roberts, WA

Point Roberts is one of the most unusual coastal towns in the Pacific Northwest. Located on the tip of a peninsula just south of Vancouver, it belongs to Washington State, but it is physically cut off from the rest of the US by land. Home to around 1,300 year-round residents, this quiet community offers peaceful beaches, scenic trails, and expansive water views. Places like Lighthouse Marine Park and Lily Point Marine Reserve make it easy to spend weekends watching for orcas, strolling along coastal bluffs, and unwinding by the water.

ATTRYuet Man Lee / CC BY-SA 4.0

Moving here means embracing a distinct lifestyle where your passport is part of everyday errands. To drive down to mainland Washington, you travel through British Columbia and clear two international border crossings. Younger kids attend the local primary school through third grade, while older students ride a bus across the border to Blaine each morning. Between the friendly local marina, neighborhood spots, and low-key pace, Point Roberts offers a peaceful, tight-knit haven for anyone seeking quiet Pacific Northwest living.