30 Underrated West Coast College Towns You’ll Want to Visit This Summer

Lisette Marie

May 13, 2025

30. Manoa (Honolulu), Hawaii: Pacific Academia in Paradise

Photo of University of Hawaii, Manoa campus from Round Top drive, Honolulu. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Travis.Thurston

While Honolulu is a major city, the Manoa Valley, home to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, offers a distinct and lush neighborhood feel. Backdropped by verdant, mist-shrouded Koʻolau mountains, the campus itself is a tropical haven with diverse architecture and botanical beauty. Manoa provides a unique blend of Pacific Islander and Asian cultures, academic research focused on the region, and easy access to both city amenities and stunning natural wonders like Manoa Falls. It's a truly unique "West Coast" college experience in a tropical paradise.

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</div>

30 Underrated West Coast College Towns You’ll Want to Visit This Summer

30. Manoa (Honolulu), Hawaii: Pacific Academia in Paradise

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