Whether you want to play at the water’s edge, build sandcastles, surf or fly a kite, visit the 28-mile (45-kilometer) Long Beach Peninsula for a typical Pacific Northwest experience. Stay several days to enjoy the beach and the many activities the region offers.
Get familiar with the area with a walk on the iconic Long Beach Boardwalk, which stretches about 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) along the beach. Instead of the usual carnival atmosphere of a busy beach boardwalk, this wooden walkway suspended above the sand dunes is a place to quietly contemplate the rugged coastline. Purchase coffee and come early for the sunrise over the Willapa Hills or stay at the end of the day for a stunning Pacific sunset.
Several picnic tables are located along the boardwalk, a great setting for a takeout lunch from one of the area restaurants. Bring binoculars to try to spot whales, eagles and shorebirds or simply look up at colorful kites flying in the strong ocean breeze.
Long Beach allows drivers on specific stretches of sand and is, in fact, an official Washington state highway. Be aware of essentials for driving in the sand. Stay to the right, avoid completely dry sand and drive on areas of damp hard-packed sand for the best traction. If you don’t have a four-wheel-drive vehicle suitable for sand driving, rent a fat bike to pedal along the beach or ride on horseback next to the waves.
From Long Beach, walk or bike along the 8.5-mile (13.7-kilometer) Discovery Trail, which goes through Beard’s Hollow and across the cape as it winds toward Ilwaco. Drive to Ilwaco and explore Cape Disappointment State Park, where you’ll find Bell’s View, an incredible vantage point over Long Beach, as well as two historic working lighthouses.
Access Long Beach from any of seven points along the main stretch of beach. These beach approaches are known locally as the Seaview Approach, Sid Snyder Approach, Bolstad Approach, Cranberry Approach, Klipsan Beach Approach, Ocean Park Approach and Oysterville Approach, most named for the corresponding roads that approach the beach. Beach access and parking are free.
