The article deals with Vidzeme coastal zone, which is suitable area for recreation development. The insight into Vidzeme coastal recreation history in 19th and 20th century is given. Recreational resources of the Vidzeme costal area are determined. The passive recreation resource is beach. Forests, sea and river valleys are active recreation resources. The tourist resources are landscapes, nature monuments and manmade heritage. Coastal zone recreational development issues, which prevent to achieve the quality of recreation, are shown. The biggest are – virgin areas are used uncontrolled and recreational zones haven’t recreational infrastructure. To provide sustainable recreational area development a need of well-considered spatial planning activities is marked. There are seven sustainable principles put out to achieve this goal – recreational potential preserving, recreational resources using efficiency improving, good will, mobility, environmental correspondence, changes and union principle. It is recommended to organize recreational system on base of foundation resources – architectural and historical heritage, nature, beaches and harbors. Yacht harbor network, car and bicycle rent services need to be developed, railway can be extended into direction of Ainazi along coastline. Old estates can be turned into SPA centers or tourist information points. High quality car parking system with information boards need to be developed. Infrastructure and area's image by public places with a help of signs can be created. Involving different organizations can be made one institution to coordinate urban planning in the area. Principles help to determine five coastal recreational complexes with different functions. Article is ended with idea that united recreational system for country is needed.