In general, the term "West Coast" is a nickname for the coastal states of the Western United States, comprising California, Oregon and Washington, and sometimes Alaska and Hawaii (see Pacific States). The West Coast is a portion of the West.

It has also come to be called "The Coast", especially by New Yorkers, or the "Left Coast," a pun based on its lefthand position on a map of the US as well as its reputation for being more socially liberal — or left wing — than the East Coast or Midwest.

The term has been taken by rap music performers when used to refer to a particular school of artists. The East Coast/West Coast dichotomy has led to violence and much rhetoric. This violence and rhetoric largely subsided by the beginning of the 21st century.

See also: Geography of the Western United States, List of regions of the United States

Regions of the United States
Census Bureau Regions
U.S. Midwest | U.S. Northeast | U.S. South | U.S. West
Non-Census Bureau Regions
Coastal states | Deep South | Delmarva | East | Eastern Seaboard | Great Lakes | Great Plains | Gulf Coast | International Border states | Mid-Atlantic | Mississippi Delta | Mountain states | New England | North | Pacific Northwest | South Central States | Southeast | Southwest | Upper Midwest | West | West Coast