Oregon's best beach town? It might just be in the Columbia River Gorge

Hood River, Oregon—deep in the Columbia River Gorge rather than on the coast—may be the state’s best “beach town,” according to the piece. The town’s Waterfront Trail and adjacent parkland make it easy to get from paved biking and strolling to water access across five distinct sandy areas. A 2.8-mile, paved north-end trail runs alongside multiple beaches, windsurfing spots, two hotels, and restaurants and breweries. The Hood River Waterfront was created through a large infill project, converting a river delta into a mixed-use area with a six-acre public park. The beaches range from family wading areas and kiteboarding sites to kayak-friendly coves and more natural wetland-adjacent shoreline.