What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?

Why This Matters

The Pacific Ocean is on the West Coast of the United States. It is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, covering more area than all the land on the planet combined. The Pacific stretches from the western shores of North and South America all the way to Asia and Australia. For the United States, the Pacific coast runs along the states of California, Oregon, Washington, and also touches Alaska and Hawaii.

The Pacific Ocean has been important to American history in many ways. In the 1800s, the idea of "Manifest Destiny" drove Americans to expand westward until they reached the Pacific shore. The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought hundreds of thousands of people to the West Coast. Trade across the Pacific connects the United States to major economic partners like China, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Ports in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seattle, and Oakland handle billions of dollars in goods every year.

The Pacific Ocean also played a major role in World War II. Many key battles, including those at Midway, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, were fought across the Pacific. Today, the U.S. maintains military bases throughout the Pacific region. Understanding that the Pacific is on the West Coast helps you picture the basic layout of the United States and its place in the world.

Key Facts

• The Pacific Ocean is on the West Coast of the United States
• It is the largest ocean in the world, covering about 63 million square miles
• West Coast states include California, Oregon, and Washington
• Hawaii is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean
• Major Pacific ports drive billions of dollars in trade with Asia and other regions

Common Mistakes

• Saying "Atlantic", the Atlantic is on the East Coast, not the West Coast
• Confusing the Pacific with the Arctic Ocean, which borders Alaska to the north
• Mixing up "Pacific" and "Atlantic" because both are large oceans, remember that Pacific goes with the West

Study Tip

Think of the letter P for Pacific and the direction it is on: the Pacific coast is where the sun sets, on the western side of the country. You might also remember that the word "Pacific" means peaceful, and picture a calm sunset over the western ocean. West equals Pacific.