Dig for clams, find fulfillment at Cape Disappointment, and more things to do in Long Beach, Washington.
sprightliness is dim and simple in the beachside town of Long Beach , and I could immediately feel my tense shoulders relax as I drove through the old - school downtown with its kite stores , seafood restaurants , and oddment shops that harken back to the days before the net take over our lives . You wo n’t get a bustling boardwalk full of entertainment park rides and overpriced funfair game , but instead , almost deserted beaches and kin - run away restaurant quick to welcome you .
Located in the southwesternmost recess of Washington state , theLong Beach Peninsulahas 28 miles of continuous coastline and is just a few hours ' ride from both Portland and Seattle . While beach activities like clamming and kite flight are the main lot , nearby Cape Disappointment State Park offers hiking trails on the jolty coastline that the Pacific Northwest is famous for . Two historical lighthouses , hide cove with crashing wave , and stunning coastal views are the rewards for a day expend hike the park ’s many profuse , dark-green trails .
If you could power down your cellular phone telephone and comprehend the dense life , you ’ll be able to make the most of your sojourn to this quoin of Washington .
Desadman’s Cove|Photograph by Kate Loweth
Travel time:
2 hours and 30 minutes from Portland , OR3 hours and 30 minutes from Seattle , WA
If you only do one thing: Rent a bike and ride to the North Head Lighthouse
The best way to research this area is on two wheels . lease a beach cruiser or eastward - bike fromTsunami Cycle , and then coif out on the 8.5 - mileDiscovery Trail , which runs from twenty-sixth Street North in Long Beach to the Port of Ilwaco . This tramp and biking trail winds through sandy dunes and coastal forests , with peeks of the Pacific Ocean along the way . head in the south from Long Beach will take you toCape Disappointment State Park , home to two iconic lighthouse and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center , where you could learn about the Chinook tribe and this area ’s tie beam to the Lewis and Clark expedition .
TheNorth Head Lighthouseis accessible via the Discovery Trail and offers stunning views of the craggy Washington coastline . It was build in the former 1800s to alarm ship to the severe Columbia River channel . unreliable currents and coastal fog have claimed over 200 ships in this domain , dub the " Graveyard of the Pacific . "
Fill your days:
Beach Activities
There is no dearth of outdoor bodily process along the Long Beach Peninsula , and one of the deary is kite flight . The wide , arenaceous beach and coastal wind make this area the stark place to drop the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. experiencing this activity that will have you reminiscing about the beach vacations of your childhood . Every August , visitors go down on the " kite flying capital of the US " for the longest - running and largest kite fete in North America , theWashington State International Kite Festival .
begin by visiting theWorld Kite Museum , where you’re able to learn the history of kites and see kite that day of the month back to World War II . shop in town have kites available for purchase , and you’re able to easily walk from town to the beach to get yours take flight . While visiting the domain with my teen sons , we pass hours flying kites , and I was shocked by how much we all love it !
Swimming in the ocean along the Long Beach Peninsula is not advisable due to strong current and wafture , but you may enjoy many other activities there . Cars are allowed to drive on portion of the beach , though four - steering wheel drive is extremely recommended . On non - breezy days , small campfires are permit on the beach out from the George Sand dunes . During our summertime visit , we found the beaches surprisingly uncrowded ( we are customary to fighting for space on crowd California beach ) , and there were plenty of areas to set up a picnic with only a few people in ken .
The tumble through natural spring months bringrazor clam season , and visitors can obtain a sportfishing license to grasp for these delectable clams up to the everyday boundary . All you ask to get started clamming is a clam excavator or a specialised metro , and a collection bucket . The WA Department of Fish and Wildlife determines the days when you could go clam , and the better time to apprehend is typically one to two hour before the awaited low tide .
Visiting Cape Disappointment State Park
Stop by the Cape " D " computer storage for some sandwiches before you head out to Waikiki Beach . This is a perfect spot for a child’s play , where you could find out surfers trance waves and look for humpback and grayish whales offshore .
Shopping and other activities in Long Beach
walk through Long Beach ’s quaint business district area you ’ll find all the beach town favourite like artistic production galleries , a mini - golf grade , and shops selling fudge and ice cream . My teen spent some metre racing go - karts before we headed toMarsh ’s Free Museum , a quirky spot that is part museum and part token shop full of seashell , shrunken heads , bigfoot paraphernalia , and Long Beach merch .
While you might think cranberry farming is limited to the East Coast , Long Beach is family to theCranberry Museum and Gift Shop , where you’re able to take a free self - channelize walk circuit of the cranberry peat bog and gossip indoor exhibit to acquire about the cranberry growing and harvest cognitive operation . Inside the building you ’ll obtain a giving shop class offering everything from cranberry ice ointment ( you must try it ! ) to cranberry wine ( also quite dependable ! ) . The best metre of year to jaw is during September and October when the Berry are ripening for harvest .
Eat, Drink and Sleep
Restaurants and bars in Long Beach
With so much outdoor recreation available in Long Beach , you ’re going to require to take up your day off with a satisfying breakfast . Our favorite spot wasSeaview Biscuit Company , where biscuit breakfast sandwich dominated the menu . Get yours top with bacon , sausage , or fried chicken , or go old - school day and dig into some biscuits with country gravy . Another lively alternative isCurrent Cafe + Coffee , a breakers shop cafe offering tasty liege subject waffles and breakfast burritos in the break of the day hours , and flatbread pizza and craft cocktails later in the Clarence Day .
Long Beach ’s position on the Washington glide makes it a prime smirch to revel seafood . There are plenty of fleck in townspeople advertising " award - winning clam chowder , " and you are give-up the ghost to desire to get yourself a stadium or two . pickle Fishserves up sensational scene of the Pacific Ocean along with fried rockfish , umami - candied salmon , and clam chowder assist with theatre - made focaccia . The pose - back vibraphone atCaptain Bob ’s Chowder Sistersare just what you involve after a break of day at the beach . We had to try the Solanum tuberosum stadium — a doubly - baked potato filled with your selection of chowder and topped with Roger Bacon and cheddar cheese — which is now our favorite way of life to revel clam chowder ( sorry , loot bowl ! ) .
Castaways Seafood Grilleis a must - visit , with a fare that includes local seafood , Angus burgers , and craft cocktails . We started off with the crabby artichoke plant and spinach plant dip ( highly urge ) before chowing down on a halibut po - son and island tacos with seared ahi . The ambiance was vibrant , and the service was friendly and attentive .
Biking the Discovery Trail|Photograph by Kate Loweth
Where to stay in Long Beach
To live your best beach vacation life , book your getaway at theLighthouse Oceanfront Resort . This holding is just ten second north of downtown , and you ’ll only have to walk down a curt course to reach the beach that was fairly much deserted during our entire halt . Their Canis familiaris - favorable suite have up to three sleeping room and amount with a full kitchen if you require to prepare solid food while you are there . The on - web site tennis and pickleball readiness is available to Guest , and there ’s an indoor swim pool and game elbow room that kids will lie with . If you have time , stop by thefarm offering " Painting by Goats"just across the street from the refuge to pick up some " artistry " and goat milk soap .
If you want to stay nigher to business district , The Breakersis an fantabulous selection , as it is located at the northmost point along the Discovery Trail . accommodation rove from standard hotel room to two - bedroom condominium with a kitchen and out-of-door deck of cards , and all admit access to the holding ’s indoor consortium and hot vat and everyone ’s favorite , the seasonal outdoor red-hot tub . There ’s a playground for tyke and a sand volleyball game court to keep everyone fussy .
North Head Lighthouse|Photograph by Kate Loweth
Cape Disappointment coastal view|Photograph by Kate Loweth
Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort|Photograph by Kate Loweth
