Long Beach Washington Travel Guide

Long Beach Washington

Long Beach is a city in the Pacific County of Washington state in the United States. Located on the southern Washington Pacific Coast on the Long Beach Peninsula, the population of the city according to the 2010 US Census Bureau census stood at 1,392. Long Beach was originally developed at the end of the 19th century as a getaway destination in Washington State for people living in Seattle and Portland. Long Beach, Washington is known for its stretches of windswept sand, wild surf, and abundant wildlife.

At the beach take an enjoyable walk through the dunes, while the quaint downtown Long Beach is only a quick drive away. The area has many charming beach homes from the orginal era. The area also has several state parks such as Lewis and Clark National Park. The typical beach terrain is great for bicycling, especially on Discovery Trail. Or, take a leisurely stroll along the seaside on the Long Beach Boardwalk. Fishing, crabbing, clamming, and wildlife viewing are also all popular pastimes you can explore.

After your morning on the beach head over to Astoria to explore the local shops and restaurants. Visit nearby museums and take in panoramic views from the Astoria Column. Or, stick closer to town and visit Oysterville, an early 19th century community nestled into Willapa Bay that is in the National Register of Historic Places. Regardless of where you go, Long Beach Peninsula is a beautiful spot to explore along the Washington Coast. When you are done exploring, come back to your beautiful, comfortable rental home and enjoy being cozy with your family and friends.

Long Beach offers a numerous list of adventures and attractions, from clam digging and kayaking to horseback riding and bird watching.  A firm favorite among locals and visitors alike are the two lighthouses, Cape Disappointment, and North Head, which are both fully functional and are open to the public year-round.

One can enjoy yearly events such as the Washington State International Kite Festival, a weeklong kite celebration, and a competition held annually during the third week of August, which brings people from all over the world. An annual sand sculpture competition called Sandsation is also organized around the same time. 

The downtown area is home to locally-owned restaurants and historic hotels, while the shoreline offers water sport activities and trails for adventure seekers. Area attractions, from racing mini cars to visiting a wildlife refuge, make a Pacific Northwest visit a sure-shot treasure.

 

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Washington Coast Top 43 Experiences

For a more in-depth look into things to do in Long Beach Washington and to get your information from the locals who know best and work and live in the area, see Boomer Estate Vacation Rentals "Top Fun Things To Do On The Long Beach, Washington Coast"

Plan Your Trip to the Washington Coast with these Top 43 Experiences

 

Long Beach History

Long Beach came into prominence when Henry Harrison Tinker bought a land claim from Charles E. Reed in 1880. When he platted the town, he named it "Tinkerville." Long Beach was officially incorporated as a city on January 18, 1922.

The Long Beach depot was built between First and Second Streets on the east side of the track, which ran north along "B" Street. Tinker's Hotel, a major destination in Long Beach, was later renamed the Long Beach Hotel after the first hotel burned down in 1894. The new hotel was built just a few feet to the east from the old hotel(south of the rail depot), and very close to the station. Near the station, there stood a boardwalk area, which was known as "Rubberneck Row”, because of the frequency with which people had to turn their heads from side to side to look at the trains.

At the highlight of its amazing history, Long Beach is known for the 18 days that Lewis and Clark and the Corp of Discovery spent exploring the area known today as Pacific County, Washington. Faced with oncoming winter, dwindling supplies, deteriorating clothing, lack of salt & meat, the party did not have the luxury to await the return of summer’s calmer seas for the likelihood of ship sightings. They were on their own and their return journey to the comforts of ‘civilization’ was dependent on their resourcefulness in creating adequate winter quarters. Their efforts to survive and their discoveries impacted their ultimate decision which may well have saved their lives and provided Long Beach with its rich history today.

In commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Long Beach has dedicated 8.5 miles of trail including monuments that evoke the experiences of Corps members as they explored the coast. One is the  9 ft. etched Basalt Monolith north of Bolstad Avenue, a Gray Whale skeleton at the south end of the Boardwalk, and Clark’s Tree, a 19-foot bronze sculpture noting the most NW point the Corps reached on their journey.

 

Map of Long Beach Washington

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