Americans are spoiled for choice when it comes to dramatic coastlines.
The United States has such diverse coastal landscapes that it’s not hard to find what you’re looking for, from Maldives-like sandbars across the U.S. to rocky shorelines rising dramatically from the ocean.
Everyone thinks of famously sunny, “beachy” states like California and Florida when envisioning a beach getaway in the States; however, a beautiful region elsewhere, with gorgeous coastlines and beaches, is the Pacific Northwest.
The Pacific Northwest is brimming with plenty of underrated but scenic places to visit along the coast, and among the most overlooked is the Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State.
This lesser-known coastal spot has more incredible features than first meets the eye, from the country’s longest driveable beach to six stunning state parks and so much more.
Washington State Is Home To An Underrated Coastal Gem: The Long Beach Peninsula
The Long Beach Peninsula is a place filled with unique features, from its long list of impressive state parks to the country’s longest driveable beach.
Often, when people imagine America’s best coastal areas, they tend to be drawn to the states of California or Florida, which boast stunning beaches and dramatic scenery.
California is well known for its iconic summer coastal towns, while Florida has made a name for itself as having some of the best beaches in the country.
In fact, Henderson Beach was named one of the best in the world.
However, while both states, among many other US coastal states like Maine, Georgia, and South Carolina, are truly remarkable, Washington is one that often surprises people.
This part of the Pacific Northwest boasts underrated towns and beach spots, including Friday Harbor, regarded as Washington’s most beautiful coastal town.
But it doesn’t stop there; Washington is also home to the Long Beach Peninsula, ideal for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
The Long Beach Peninsula is known for a variety of reasons, from the country’s longest driveable beach to its long list of magnificent state parks.
However, that’s not all; a visit to this hidden gem will surprise you if you’re a fan of not only outdoor recreation but also delicious seafood and wild and rugged landscapes.
Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula Has Some Incredible Features Visitors Will Love
This is a place ideal for birdwatching, surfing, hiking, and nature.
The Long Beach Peninsula in Washington is not just incredibly scenic; it is packed with things to do.
So, whether you are a hiking enthusiast or keen to explore the six state parks in the area, Long Beach has it all and more.
Referred to as the Evergreen Coast, the region offers exceptional ocean vistas, historic sites, biking trails, and surf spots to keep you busy, but one of the area’s best and most famous features is Long Beach, which is the country’s longest driveable beach.
America’s Longest Driveable Beach
Stretching 28 miles, Long Beach is a landmark in its own right and has earned the title of America’s longest driveable beach.
Along the way, you’ll see sandy beaches, a long boardwalk, and steep rocky cliffs, which provide jaw-dropping vistas.
Best explored by bike, on foot, or by car, Long Beach is the perfect place to begin your discovery of the region, and seafood lovers will be in their element.
Seafood
The Long Beach Peninsula is not just a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts; it’s a mecca for seafood lovers.
The peninsula famously boasts one of the Pacific Northwest’s richest razor clam grounds and is also great for crabbing, fishing, and oystering.
Twenty-five percent of the nation’s oysters come from the peninsula’s Willapa Bay, where they produce some of the world’s sweetest, plumpest oysters.
“The Pacific Ocean feeds the bay, which provides a constant flow of nutrient-rich water that nourishes our sweet oysters.
The saltwater churns into the freshwater, which is fed by the myriad of veins of nearby rivers” – Washington’s Evergreen Coast.
The Long Beach Peninsula’s Six State Parks
When To Visit The Long Beach Peninsula In Washington
The best time to visit the area is between spring and fall, when festivals are up and running, state parks are open and accessible, and the weather is on your side for outdoor recreation.
The Long Beach Peninsula is located 3.5 hours from Seattle and 2.5 hours from Portland, making it easy to get to.
But when is the best time to go?
For festivals and good weather, visit the Long Beach area in spring and summer, when the region comes alive and shares its traditions.
In addition, between spring and fall is an ideal time for hiking since the trails at some state parks can become flooded or covered in snow.
Tips For Your Visit To The Long Beach Peninsula
Get a Discover Pass, which will allow you to access Washington’s state parks with ease.
Plus, the pass includes many free days throughout the year.
The best places to try local oysters are Goose Point Family Farm & Oystery, Oysterville Sea Farms, and Willapa Artisan Kitchen.
Visitors to Long Beach can walk through cranberry bogs or shuck oysters with third-generation oyster farmers, which is one of the most unique experiences.
Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is well worth a visit since it consists of 17,000 acres and is a place to see what the Pacific Northwest looked like 100 years ago.
One of the most scenic spots in the area is Dead Man’s Cove, which can be reached via the park’s Cape Disappointment Trail.
Where To Stay In The The Long Beach Peninsula Area
Best Western Long Beach
Chautauqua Resort Long Beach
Coastal Inn & Suites
Adrift Hotel & Spa
Unmissable Festivals In The Long Beach Peninsula Area
Razor Clam & Shellfish Festival (April)
Waikiki Beach Concert Series (Summer Season)
The longest-running Kite Festival in North America. (August)
Annual Crab Pot Christmas Celebration (December)
Sand Sculpting Competition Extravaganza (July)
The Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State may have a record-breaking stretch of sand, but the area is brimming with hidden gems as well.
From the wildlife of Cape Disappointment State Park and its other state parks (no less than six of them) to the mouth-watering seafood delicacies that make the region famous, Long Beach is an underrated crown jewel in the state of Washington.
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