Long Beach, Washington

Washington's coastline wriggles in and out of so many coves and bays that this 28-mile stretch of sand south of the Olympic Peninsula is almost a secret. Here, just north of where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, is the place to send your kite soaring into the clouds, let your hair fly as you gallop through the surf, dig deep for clams or take a long, quiet walk along the edge of the waves. The water is a bit chilly for any but the hardiest swimmers, but there are plenty of water-based activities for everyone like kayaking, sailing, or fishing. One of the top attractions is the Washington State International Kite Festival when the ...

Washington's coastline wriggles in and out of so many coves and bays that this 28-mile stretch of sand south of the Olympic Peninsula is almost a secret. Here, just north of where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, is the place to send your kite soaring into the clouds, let your hair fly as you gallop through the surf, dig deep for clams or take a long, quiet walk along the edge of the waves. The water is a bit chilly for any but the hardiest swimmers, but there are plenty of water-based activities for everyone like kayaking, sailing, or fishing. One of the top attractions is the Washington State International Kite Festival when the skies fill with the colors and designs of kites from all over the world. When you've reined in your kite or horse, Long Beach has a plethora of quality restaurants serving up the daily catch of shellfish, salmon, tuna or white sturgeon. Beyond the beach, look out for some historical lighthouses or stop in at one of the museums showcasing the arrival of the Lewis & Clark Expedition and settlement of the area. Several trails offer top-notch coastal hiking. Be sure to follow it up with smoked oysters from nearby Oysterville or Willapa Bay, then take them out onto the dunes for a romantic sunset.

About the Expert

Myra Ingmanson and Daniel C. Schechter worked together on various titles for Lonely Planet, particularly the Pacific Northwest and Mexico books. Together they coauthored chapters for Lonely Planet's Eastern Caribbean.