West coast goldenrod was formerly recognized as Solidago canadenesis ssp. elongata, but has been elevated to the species level. It is found in North America from Mexico (Baja California) north to Washington, and is reported from the southwestern corner of British Columbia. It is described in Flora North America by Semple and Cook (2010) as a 25-150 cm tall rhizomatous plant that forms clones; it lacks basal leaves, and stem leaves are sessile; it is very similar in appearance to Canada goldenrod (Solidago lepida). It is found in a range of habitats including "sandy, gravelly soils, thickets, open woods, meadows, along streams and creeks", at elevations from 0-2800 m (Semple and Cook 2010). West coast goldenrod flowers from August to October throughout its range (Semple and Cook 2010)--in BC it may be found flowering through to November.

A full species description is provided by Flora North America.