Galena + Elsah Named as Having the Most Stunning Views Among America’s ‘Coastal’ Communities.

• 3,013 respondents polled on the coastal communities with the most stunning views.
• Galena emerged in #107 nationally, followed by Elsah in #126.
• Infographic.

From craggy New England bluffs to pastel Gulf sunsets, Pacific cliffside roads to glassy alpine lakes, America’s waterfront landscapes are as diverse as they are breathtaking. But when it comes to living with those views – waking up to waves, walking to the sound of foghorns, watching the sky melt into the sea – some towns do it better than others.

New Jersey Real Estate Network, a home‑listing platform, carried out a survey of 3,013 respondents to find out which U.S. coastal communities offer the most stunning daily views, according to the people who know them best.

The top 10 were as follows:

#1. Kaunakakai, Hawaii
Kaunakakai hugs the calm southern shore of Molokaʻi, where palm trees outnumber buildings and the vibe is all about simplicity. There’s one main street, a few fishing piers, and ocean views that feel untouched. It’s where people go when they don’t want to be found.

#2. Hāna, Hawaii
Reaching Hāna is half the magic – a winding cliffside drive through rainforest and waterfalls that opens onto one of Hawaii’s most untouched towns. Tucked along Maui’s eastern edge, Hāna has black-sand beaches, misty sea cliffs, and that eerie, beautiful quiet you only find at the end of the road. Most visitors turn around too quickly. Locals know – the view is better when you stay a while.

#3. Haleiwa, Hawaii
While Waikiki’s packed with tourists, Haleiwa keeps its cool. This North Shore town blends surf culture, plantation-era charm, and sunsets that stop conversations mid-sentence. The beaches nearby – like Laniakea Beach and Waimea Bay – are world-famous for waves, but the town itself is slow-paced, artsy, and deeply rooted. You come for the ocean, but stay for the shaved ice and barefoot calm.

#4. Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key feels more like old Florida than a postcard. Perched on the Gulf, it’s part fishing village, part artist enclave, and fully unbothered by time. Weather-beaten docks stretch into blue-green water, and clammers wade into the shallows at dawn. The sunsets here are painterly and slow – best watched with a cold beer and nothing else on your calendar.

#5. Apalachicola, Florida
Tucked into the Florida Panhandle, Apalachicola blends antebellum charm with estuary calm. Known for oysters, the town faces Apalachicola Bay, where the river meets the Gulf. Weathered shrimp boats bob near the docks, and downtown has just enough faded brick and creaky porches to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a sepia-toned memory.

#6. Cambria, California
Cambria feels like Big Sur’s quieter cousin – dramatic cliffs, Monterey pines, and moody skies without the constant stream of rental cars. The Moonstone Beach boardwalk offers one of the state’s most peaceful coastal strolls, where waves crash just feet away and polished stones glitter in the sand.

#7. Cape May, New Jersey
Victorian porches, gas lanterns, and salt in the air – Cape May has a kind of East Coast magic that’s hard to replicate. The beaches are wide, the homes are painted like storybooks, and the lighthouse still watches over it all. It’s the kind of town where seagulls seem to glide more slowly and everyone walks a little closer to the shoreline.

#8. Twin Lakes, Colorado
Tucked beneath Colorado’s two tallest peaks, Twin Lakes feels like a watercolor brought to life. The namesake glacial lakes mirror Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, and the town itself is tiny – just a few cabins, a lodge, and a whole lot of sky. Mornings here are quiet, save for the sound of paddles dipping and wind brushing the surface.

#9. Lake City, Colorado
Surrounded by alpine peaks and forest, Lake City isn’t easy to reach – and that’s part of the charm. This San Juan Mountains outpost sits near Lake San Cristobal, the second-largest natural lake in Colorado. Early risers often catch fog lifting from the lake while mule deer pick their way through the brush.

#10. Ocean Grove, New Jersey
Just north of Asbury Park, Ocean Grove feels like a hymn in beach-town form – founded by Methodists, framed by tents and gingerbread cottages, and anchored by the soaring Great Auditorium. The beach is quiet, the boardwalk old-school, and Sunday mornings still come with bells. It’s unlike anywhere else on the Shore.

Two Illinois coastal communities were recognized as having among the most stunning views in the country:

#107. Galena
Best known for Ulysses S. Grant and antique shops, Galena also offers some of the most unexpected waterfront views in Illinois. The Galena River cuts through the hills before joining the Mississippi, and historic mansions peek out from above its banks. You can canoe past church steeples and century-old rail bridges, with more herons than humans in sight.

#126. Elsah
Frozen in the 19th century, Elsah sits tucked between limestone bluffs along the Mississippi River. Just south of Grafton, this tiny village has stone cottages, cobbled streets, and a river view that feels almost European. Fog curls between the hills most mornings, and the whole place hums with quiet history. It’s not a destination – it’s a discovery.
 

Infographic showing the coastal communites with the most stunning views

“While the coastlines of America are celebrated for their drama, it’s often the quieter, humbler towns that leave the deepest mark,” says a spokesperson of New Jersey Real Estate Network. “This list is a reminder that breathtaking doesn’t always mean busy –  and sometimes the best view is the one that slows you down.”