Things to know:

  • Many of the smaller businesses are cash only.

  • Parking in the summer can be difficult.

  • Some of the businesses are closed in the winter, but they are mostly the businesses that are outdoor activities.

  • July 4th in Long Beach is nuts. The beach gets crazy busy.

  • Long Beach is one of the few beaches where vehicles can drive on the beach. Be mindful of the tide. Many cars have been stuck in the sand from an incoming tide. Also, cars get stuck in the loose sand.

  • Never turn your back on the ocean. The waves sometimes carry in large logs. Do not play on the logs in the ocean or near the waters edge. People get trapped under the logs and drown. Also, sneaker waves are common. People do get washed out to sea.

Long Beach, Washington is located on the Long Beach Peninsula about 30 minutes north of Astoria, Oregon. It's known for its long boardwalk built above the sand between the two main entrances to the beach. During part of the year, you can drive on the beach. One of the biggest benefits I found is the town offers free wheelchairs that go on the sand.

The town itself is very quaint. It offers a fun variety of shops and eateries. The bakery is definitely one of our favorites. Aside from the donuts, cookies, cakes, pies, and fresh bread, they also have great soup, sandwiches, and espresso drinks. In the summer months, there are go-carts, horse rides, horse and buggy rides, and carnival rides available. Outside of town is the Cranberry Museum. It's an active Cranberry farm and in the fall you can watch the flood the bogs and harvest the fields. There is a nice little shop there that sells fresh cranberries when in season and some nice food and kitchen items.

Seaview

Seaview is just south of Long Beach and has several places to shop for antiques as well as the area’s largest grocery store. The Antique Mall is the largest and our favorite. It’s not much to look at on the outside, but it’s filled with fun things on the inside. The town of Seaview is very small and easy to navigate. Most of the businesses are located on highway 101. There is motor access to the beach from 38th Place.

Ilwaco

Ilwaco has a port that has an active fishing fleet. It offers interesting and beautiful photos, especially sunsets. There are a few shops including some nice restaurants on the water front at the Port of Ilwaco.

Cape Disappointment

I think one of the funniest lines I’ve heard was from a man that was moving to Ilwaco from the east coast. He was looking at a map with his boys, showing them where he was moving. He said he was moving to Ill- wacko just north of Cape Disappointment. “This outta be good,” he said sarcastically.

Cape Disappointment is a State Park that has a camp ground, a lighthouse, a beach with picnic tables and a restroom, and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (a museum recounting the Lewis & Clark expedition). The museum charges $5/adult; $2.50/ages 7-17; 6 and under are Free. The museum has a few interactive activities for kids. The parking lot does not fit RV parking. There is a trail to hike to the lighthouse. Apparently there are times that the lighthouse is open to explore.

Waikiki Beach is at the park entrance. It’s a cove made up of a rocky cliff on one side, a sandy beach at the center, and a wall of logs on the other side. There is a parking lot near the sandy beach area and another down the road near the logs. On windy days, the waves blow back for some amazing photo shots.

Oysterville is a historic area located alongside the oyster flats. There is a shop there that sells fresh seafood and a small selection of other foods and a limited selection of souvenirs. This area is located on Willapa Bay. We enjoy taking photographs at the Port of Peninsula. It's a fishing port also. The water and reflections are very pretty. There is also an old boat that we find interesting to photograph. 

 Ocean Park

Ocean Park is just under 10 miles north of Long Beach. It is a much quieter area of the beach, but offers just as much beauty. Ocean Park is a more residential area. There are several small restaurants, 2 grocery stores, and a gas station. There is a vehicle entrance to the beach west of the major intersection in town. Another vehicle entrance is north in the area of Surfside.

Oysterville

Oysterville is located north of Ocean Park. It’s a very small town that consists primarily of the oyster flats, a small seafood/gift shop, and a small store combined with the town post office. The little town is built along the oyster flats. It has beautiful historic buildings.

Things to know:

Many of the smaller businesses are cash only.

Parking in the summer can be difficult.

Some of the businesses are closed in the winter, but they are mostly the businesses that are outdoor activities.

July 4th in Long Beach is nuts. The beach gets crazy busy.

Long Beach is one of the few beaches where vehicles can drive on the beach. Be mindful of the tide. Many cars have been stuck in the sand from an incoming tide. Also, cars get stuck in the loose sand.

Never turn your back on the ocean. The waves sometimes carry in large logs. Do not play on the logs in the ocean or near the waters edge. People get trapped under the logs and drown. Also, sneaker waves are common. People do get washed out to sea.