New England Coast vs. Pacific Northwest Coast (best, better, compare)

[Champ le monstre du lac]

Two northern coastlines, water is a bit chilly though moreso in the Northwest, both scenic, both somewhat comparable yet very different. Which coastline do you prefer? The sandy shores of Cape Cod and rocky coast of Maine, OR the sea cliffs of the Oregon Coast and the inland seas of Puget Sound?

- Most scenic coast
- Recreation
- Best coastal towns and cities
- Best seafood
and anything else you can think of

[the12ronin]

Cape Cod by a nose.

[john_starks]

lol

[DevanXL]

Oregon coast is beutiful. Newport is a great city with in excellant waterfront. Much of it is untouched and tempertures are moderate year around. Im suprised the a major city wasnt settled on the oregon coast back in the late 19th century. Canon beach is gorgeous and the washing coast is nice. Victoria is also great (if that counts as part of the pnw coast).

[yyuusr]

Originally Posted by caphillsea77

Two northern coastlines, water is a bit chilly though moreso in the Northwest

Southern California water is almost as cold as Maine in the summer so that kind of gives you an idea how cold the west coast really is. As far as tolerable water temperature goes New England wins pretty easily.

[Bizurko]

Most scenic coast - northeast
Recreation - about the same
Best coastal towns and cities - northeast a ton of beautiful, down-to-earth, living off the sea, fishing towns.
Best seafood - about the same. Very slight edge to northeast.

Overall the northeast in my opinion.

[Deezus]

Originally Posted by caphillsea77

Two northern coastlines, water is a bit chilly though moreso in the Northwest, both scenic, both somewhat comparable yet very different. Which coastline do you prefer? The sandy shores of Cape Cod and rocky coast of Maine, OR the sea cliffs of the Oregon Coast and the inland seas of Puget Sound?

- Most scenic coast
- Recreation
- Best coastal towns and cities
- Best seafood
and anything else you can think of

If we're including the areas of Puget Sound including Hood Canal and the San Juan Islands than I might actually go for the Northwest by a nose. If it was just the Oregon and Washington Coast vs. New England coast I might go for New England.

-Most Scenic Coast - The better parts of Oregon Coast alone could make this one in terms of scenery. Between that and the Olympic Peninsula it's already a pretty spectacular mix--the islands of the San Juans with the Olympic and Cascade mountains in the background seal the deal. The Maine coast is amazing though--but altogether I'll take the Northwest.

-Recreation - Well the Northwest is good for surfing and kayaking and fishing-- a lot of people go to beach and never do more than hang out on the beach or go for a hike. New England has much warmer summer water for actual swimming. Though Puget Sound has slightly warmer water than out on the actual Washington coast--and it's one of the best places in the US to go kayaking among the islands or boating. Sort of a draw on that one.

-Best Coastal Towns and Cities - New England has a better range of true old historic coastal towns. There are places like Port Townsend and Astoria in the Northwest, but they don't compare to a lot of the picturesque fishing villages and old ports in New England. I wish there was a place like Portland, Maine on the actual coast of Oregon or Washington or even on the Olympic Peninsula. If you include cities like Boston or Seattle as coastal cites this becomes a whole different ballgame however...

Best Seafood - Probably New England, though Puget Sound has some excellent oysters and the area has great cheap salmon as well. The Oregon Coast has never struck me that great for seafood unless you know where to go--Puget Sound is way better. But it's tough to top Maine lobsters... I like New England oysters too--they've got a real distinct taste.

All in all, the two areas compare pretty good... Didn't even get into British Columbia though and that's got a whole word of awesomeness on it's own...

[JerseyGirl415]

Originally Posted by caphillsea77

Two northern coastlines, water is a bit chilly though moreso in the Northwest, both scenic, both somewhat comparable yet very different. Which coastline do you prefer? The sandy shores of Cape Cod and rocky coast of Maine, OR the sea cliffs of the Oregon Coast and the inland seas of Puget Sound?

- Most scenic coast
- Recreation
- Best coastal towns and cities
- Best seafood
and anything else you can think of

Definitely New England. It's beautiful, and Cape Cod can actually have pretty warm water - up to 75. I think it has something to do with currents. I love the architecture along the New England coast and the style of houses and even fashion. The coast of Maine is one of the most beautiful areas I've been to, and Maine is like lighthouse country which is pretty cool. They have so many iconic lighthouses to look at and tour, and I love stuff like that. Rhode Island also has a great coastline.

Most scenic: New England
Recreation: probably pretty even, I'll say 50/50 for this one
Best coastal towns and cities: New England
Best seafood: New England. those lobsters and that clam chowder

[foreverdublin21]

But you left out Southeast Alaska! So I voted for New England (mostly because of Maine). Acadia NP in Maine is awesome.

[Champ le monstre du lac]

Originally Posted by foreverdublin21

But you left out Southeast Alaska! So I voted for New England (mostly because of Maine). Acadia NP in Maine is awesome.

Well I did include British Columbia! If the Pacific Northwest reaches as far as SE Alaska then I'll throw Long Island, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island in with New England just for good measure. For this poll I'd say the Northwest would be between Vancouver Island in BC and the Oregon/NorCal border. New England already has defined regional borders so that really needs no explanation.

I whole heartedly agree Acadia National Park in Maine is amazing. Fall is my favorite time to be there. Those fiery colors on Cadillac Mountain juxtaposed with the blue Atlantic is an awe inspiring sight to see.