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 The Beach and More Beckon Families to the
Long Beach, Washington Peninsula
For those who would like to recall the excitement a
child feels when visiting the beach, wetting one’s toes in the 20 plus miles of surf and sand on the Long Beach
Peninsula might be ever so appealing. Those seeking more than a day of sand play can hike through cool old growth
forests, meander through odd and interesting museums and take in old-fashioned beach town attractions. Here is
just a sampling of what families might enjoy while visiting Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula:
A day at the beach
Wide-open sandy beach defines the west coast of the 28-mile peninsula. In the summer, the section of beach from
the Seaview to Long Beach’s Bolstad beach approach is closed to motorized vehicles making this stretch of sand
a good choice for a horseback ride or an all-day picnic with amenities such as a third-mile boardwalk, public restrooms,
and picnic shelters. A skeleton of a gray whale is just one of the interpretative displays on an eight-mile coastal
trail. If the tides are low, families with four-wheel drive vehicles and a watchful eye can venture south from
Seaview to the craggy cliffs and tide pools of the Beard’s Hollow. For something more protected, driftwood-strewn
Waikiki Beach and a climb up the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park are in order. The wind off the ocean makes for ideal kite flying
conditions. Local shopkeepers will share tips on which kites are easiest for children to fly.
A walk on the wild side
Families seeking the solace and adventure that nature affords will savor the raw beauty of the Peninsula. Dozens
of species of birds find refuge in the abundant dune grasses, stands of old-growth Sitka spruce and Douglas fir,
pristine Willapa Bay, lakes and wetland areas. Easy hiking trails can be found at Cape Disappointment State Park
and the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge at Leadbetter Point.
Museums made for kids
 Enjoying too much sun or rain? At the one-of-a-kind World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame in Long Beach, which displays kites from around the globe,
kids of all ages can make their own small kite. New exhibits at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
in the new Lewis and Clark National Historical Park teach about the Corps of Discovery arrival at the Pacific
Ocean. Perched high on Cape Disappointment, the Center also offers an awesome view of the Pacific coast. For those
with a taste for kitsch, Marsh’s Free Museum in Long Beach is more of a souvenir shop loaded with shells,
small toys, and collectibles as well as the famous display of Jake the Alligator Man, a two-headed calf and mechanical
gypsies.
Music and beach town fun
On weekends and holidays throughout the summer, street entertainers, free outdoor concerts, craft workshops and
more fill the streets of downtown Long Beach augmenting popular events such as the Washington State International
Kite Festival. Bumper cars, a mini race track, a Ferris wheel, a hand-painted carousel, sticky cotton candy, double
scoop ice cream cones, and the flashing lights and sounds of arcade games in downtown Long Beach provide a perfect
excuse to just have fun. (From a toddler’s perspective, the amusements are just about the same as a trip to a big
amusement park and, for parents, they are much more manageable and affordable.)
Located on the southwestern-most coast of Washington State, the Long Beach Peninsula is rich in tradition, raw
beauty and award-winning lodging and dining establishments. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Columbia River and
Willapa Bay, this coastal community is a favorite family vacation destination as well as a refuge for migrating
birds and people seeking the peacefulness of a seaside retreat. For more destination information, contact the Long
Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau at 1-800-451-2542 or access the Peninsula’s web site at www.funbeach.com
Courtesy the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau
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