Updated April 26, 2024
Just across the Columbia River, Long Beach Peninsula in Washington State is a convenient destination for a weekend beach getaway from Portland and can also easily be added to the itinerary of a longer northern Oregon Coast trip.
Walk along the boardwalk, see the lighthouses perched on the cliffs of Cape Disappointment, ride bikes on the Discovery Trail or enjoy oysters fresh from Willapa Bay. Read on for more about our favorite things to do in Long Beach, Washington.
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Where is Long Beach Peninsula, Washington?
Driving Time from Portland: 2.5 hours
Distance: 115 miles
Long Beach Peninsula is located in Pacific County in Washington State, just across the Columbia River from Astoria, Oregon. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Portland and just 30 minutes from Astoria. Take highway 101 north over the impressive, 4-mile-long Astoria-Megler bridge and keep following the highway north to Long Beach.
Transportation to Long Beach Peninsula
Driving is the most common way to get to Long Beach Peninsula. Pacific Transit provides bus service to Long Beach from Astoria, OR and other points in southwest Washington. For more on air, car and camper rental information, see Transportation.
🚗 Save up to 70% on your next car rental through DiscoverCars.
About Long Beach Peninsula
The Long Beach peninsula is part of the traditional territory of the five tribes of the Chinook Indian Nation: Clatsop, Cathlamet, Lower Chinook, Wahkiakum and Willapa. The Chinook people resisted removal efforts by the U.S. government in the 1850s and are still fighting for federal recognition today. For more information, visit the Chinook Indian Nation.
White settlers began arriving to the region in the 1800s and Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery explored the area while they were camped out in nearby Astoria, Oregon in the winter of 1805.
The town of Long Beach was officially incorporated in 1922 and grew into a hub for oyster farming and tourism. Today, Long Beach has a population of about 1,400 residents.
Further Reading
Top Things to Do in Long Beach Washington
Visit Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park sits at the mouth of the Columbia River, also known as “The Graveyard of the Pacific” where thousands of ships have been lost at sea trying to navigate the turbulent waters.
In 1788, after Spanish explorer Bruno de Hezeta found the mouth of the river and thought it was a bay, British explorer John Meares arrived hoping he would prove him wrong and claim the river for England. Meares also concluded the mouth of the river was just a bay, thus naming it Deception Bay and Cape Disappointment.
Four years later, American explorer Robert Gray was the first to finally navigate through the mouth of the river, naming it Columbia after his own ship.
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, located high up on a cliffside in the park, provides more maritime history and information about the Lewis & Clark Expedition and Chinook tribe.
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
There are two historic lighthouses in Cape Disappointment State Park. Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, completed in 1856, sits on the south side of the cape at the mouth of the Columbia River. This lighthouse is not open to the public and the trail leading out to it was closed due to safety concerns. Waikiki Beach, a small, driftwood-lined cove surrounded by cliffs, has a nice view of the lighthouse above.
The North Head Lighthouse, completed in 1898, is perched on the northwest side of the cape facing the Pacific Ocean. It is open to visitors May through September. This lighthouse was featured on an episode of Ghost Adventures in 2018 on the Travel Channel.
👉 Find more historic lighthouses on the Oregon Coast.
Discovery Trail
An eight-mile paved trail great for walking, jogging or biking, the Discovery Trail connects Ilwaco to Long Beach and crosses through Cape Disappointment, Beard’s Hollow, coastal forests and sand dunes to the beach.
Walk the same route followed by Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery and look for historical landmarks on the way. Clark’s Tree, now a 20-foot-tall bronze statue, is located at the northern end of the trail behind The Breakers hotel.
The sculpture marks the location William Clark carved his name into a tree in 1805, marking the northernmost point of his Pacific Coast journey.
Cape Disappointment State Park Campground
Note: All campsites, yurts, and cabins at Cape Disappointment State Park will be closed from September 16, 2024, through March 31, 2025, for construction. Vacation houses will remain open.
Discover passes are required for Washington State Parks. See Cape Disappointment State Park for more information.
Explore the Beaches
Though Long Beach is not actually the World’s Longest Beach as the sign claims, it is still quite long at 28 miles. Beach access, also called an “approach,” can be found all along the peninsula.
Long Beach Boardwalk
The Long Beach Boardwalk is built above the grassy sand dunes and stretches for a half mile along the beach. Picnic tables along the way provide excellent views for an afternoon lunch.
Free parking and restrooms are located on either end of the boardwalk. Park at the Sid Snyder beach approach or the Bolstad beach approach. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible.
Kite Flying
The expansive beaches are perfect for beachcombing, sandcastle building and flying kites. The World Kite Museum is located in Long Beach and the Washington State International Kite Festival is also held there annually in August.
Fishing, Clamming and Crabbing
Long Beach is also known for razor clamming, oyster harvesting, crabbing, and fishing. To find out more about current regulations and where to go, visit Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Take a Drive to Oysterville
At the northern tip of Long Beach Peninsula, Oysterville, Washington, is a national historic district that once flourished as the hub of the oyster boom in the mid-1800s. The town now stands almost frozen in time with its storybook homes and white picket fences lined with roses.
Take a walking tour of the neighborhood and see the historic Oysterville Church, cemetery, old post office and several homes that have been well-maintained over the years.
Stop in at Oysterville Sea Farms for fresh oysters or clam chowder and enjoy a glass of wine with views of Willapa Bay from the deck.
Places to Stay in Long Beach, Washington
Vacation Rentals in Long Beach, Washington
Beach house rentals are ideal for groups, families or couples and many are also dog-friendly. Browse the top Long Beach, Washington vacation rentals, including this coastal cabin retreat featuring ocean views, a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor patio area.
Campgrounds and RV Parks Near Long Beach, Washington
The nearest state park to Long Beach is Cape Disappointment, but the campground will be closed from September 16, 2024, through March 31, 2025, for construction. Vacation houses will remain open.
⛺ Best Campers: The Sou’wester Lodge & Vintage Travel Trailer Resort in Seaview rents rustic vintage trailers, converted buses, cabins and campsites.
Long Beach RV & Camping Resort is located near the beach in Seaview and offers cabin rentals and full RV hookups.
🚐 There are several privately owned RV parks and campgrounds near Long Beach, WA. Services and facilities can vary widely, so be sure to check reviews on Google Maps or use a trusted trip-planning app like RV Life to read unbiased reviews of campgrounds by other RVers Try it free!
Restaurants and Dining in Long Beach, Washington
🧁 Dylan’s Cottage Bakery & Delicatessen is our first stop in Long Beach for a donut or Danish. Their mesmerizing baked goods case is also full of pies, cakes, cookies and other sweet things made from scratch.
The Lost Roo is a highly rated sports bar and grill serving pub fare including sandwiches, fish n’ chips, burgers, steak and seafood.
The Pickled Fish restaurant is located on the top floor of the Adrift Hotel and serves locally inspired cuisine, beer, wine and craft cocktails with live music and an ocean view.
👉 See more restaurants on the Oregon Coast with an ocean view.
The Depot offers fine dining steak and seafood in a former train depot in Seaview.
Weather in Long Beach, Washington
The weather in Long Beach, Washington, is generally cool (50s-60s F) and damp with frequent rain throughout the year, with the exception of July and August. Temperatures rarely get too hot in summer with highs in the 60s-70s. Lows can dip down into the 30s in winter but snow is rare. Spring and Autumn are a mix of sunny and rainy days.
Like the beaches in Oregon, it’s usually windy and it’s a good idea to wear layers and bring a windbreaker and/or raincoat. See our seasonal guide on what to wear to the coast, including a free downloadable packing list.
When is the best time of year to visit the Oregon and Washington Coast?
Tide Charts for Long Beach, Washington and Cape Disappointment
There are two low tides and two high tides every day in Long Beach. Low tide is usually the best time for beachcombing and clamming, but Long Beach has plenty of sandy beach to enjoy at any time of day.
For your safety, be aware of the tide schedule before boating or heading out to rocky or remote beaches and always keep an eye on the water level. Use extreme caution in rocky areas near the water, where sneaker waves can (and do) strike.
🌊 Check tide tables for the daily high and low tide times or ask at state park offices, local visitor information centers and many stores and hotels for a free tide table booklet.
Interested in exploring tide pools? Find the best tide pools on the Oregon Coast.
Annual Events and Festivals near Long Beach, Washington
Looking for more fun things to do near Long Beach Peninsula? Here’s a list of major annual events to help you plan your trip.
May – Long Beach Razor Clam Festival, Washington
July – Sandsations Sandcastle Building Contest Long Beach, Washington
August – Washington State International Kite Festival Long Beach Peninsula
September – Rod Run to the End of the World car show, Long Beach, Washington
October – Cranberry Harvest Festival Long Beach, Washington
Find more events and things to do at Visit Long Beach Peninsula Washington.
👉 See more events on the Oregon Coast
Taking a road trip? From Long Beach Peninsula in Washington, drive 30 minutes south to Astoria, Oregon or 50 minutes south to Seaside, Oregon to continue exploring Oregon Coast towns.
