From the tip of the mitten, to the southern end of Lake Michigan, the West Michigan coast has some of the most beautiful scenery in the region. Miles and miles of beaches make a wonderful playground, and the shoreline towns are picturesque and so much fun to explore.

This website will provide the West Coast traveler with a county-by-county overview of all there is to discover along the lakeshore.

Southwest Michigan

Starting at the southern portion of Lake Michigan, we begin with Berrien County. Berrien County is located just north of the Indiana border, with St. Joseph being the county seat and a popular lakeshore destination. Other communities in Berrien County include Benton Harbor, Bridgman, Buchanan, Coloma, New Buffalo, Niles, and Watervliet.

Heading north, the next county is Van Buren County, with Paw Paw as the county seat. Additional Van Buren County communities are Bangor, Gobles, Hartford, and South Haven, with South Haven being the main lakeshore destination for the county.

Next up is Allegan County. Communites include Allegan, which is the county seat, Douglas, Fennville, a segment of Holland (shared with Ottawa County), Otsego, Plainwell, Saugatuck, and a segment of South Haven (partially within Van Buren County), and Wayland.

Continuing north, Ottawa County is the next stop along the West Michigan Coast. Ottawa County contains the communities of Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven (which is the county seat), Holland, Hudsonville, Zeeland, Allendale, Michigan Village, and Spring Lake. The most popular lakeshore destinations in Ottawa County are Grand Haven and Holland.

Central West Michigan

Moving on into the central West Michigan region, as you enter Still traveling north, the next county is Muskegon County. Muskegon is the county seat, and other communities include Montague, Muskegon Heights, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park, and Whitehall.

Oceana County, your traveling begins to feel more like an "up north" experience. The traffic begins to drop off, and the scenery becomes more natural with every passing mile. Hart is the county seat of Oceana County, and there are many smaller villages including New Era, Pentwater, Rothbury, Shelby, and Walkerville.

Mason County is home to Ludington, Scottville, Custer, Fountain, and Free Soil. Ludington is well-known for the Ludington State Park and the S.S. Badger carferry.

Northwest Michigan

Northwest Michigan countryside is filled with hills and forest, along with some stunning Lake Michigan views. Entering into Manistee County, you will first pass through Manistee, which is the county seat. Other towns include Bear Lake, Copemish, Eastlake, Kaleva, Onekama,and Arcadia. Onekama and Arcadia are both situated on Lake Michigan.

Benzie County towns include Frankfort, Benzonia, Beulah (the county seat), Elberta, Honor, Lake Ann, and Thompsonville. Frankfort is right along Lake Michigan.

Leelanau County is well known for the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, along with the communities of Empire, Northport, Suttons Bay, Glen Arbor, Leland, Maple City and Omena. Leland is also known as "Fish Town" and Suttons Bay is a prime shopping destination on Grand Traverse Bay.

Grand Traverse County is home of Traverse City on Grand Traverse Bay.

Heading north along the east side of Grand Traverse Bay, you will enter Antrim County. Antrim County includes the county seat of Bellaire, plus Central Lake, Elk Rapids, Ellsworth, Mancelona, and Torch Lake.

Northern Michigan

Getting closer to the tip of the mitt, you will enter Charlevoix County and Charlevoix (county seat), Boyne City, East Jordan, Boyne Falls, and Walloon Lake.

Emmet County is home to Harbor Springs, Petoskey (county seat), Alanson, Mackinaw City, and Pellston.