Things to Do on the Peninsula

Long Beach claims the title of longest contiguous beach in the United States. Walk, run, fly kites, build sandcastles, or just sit and watch the waves. Dogs are welcome year-round.

The Peninsula is world-famous for kiting. The Washington State International Kite Festival takes place every August — but you’ll see kites in the sky almost every day.

Permitted on the beach with a free-use fire ring. Bring your own fire starters and fully douse the pit when done. Perfect for sunset evenings.

Agates, shells, driftwood, and the occasional glass float. The best finds come after winter storms — walk the high-tide line at first light.

Season: Fall through spring, during WDFW-scheduled digs. Closed in the summer!

Best time: Low tide, especially evening digs

Gear: Clam shovel or clam gun (tube), headlamp for evening digs, mesh bag, valid shellfish license

Where: Anywhere on the ocean beach from Leadbetter Point south to the North Jetty. Watch for the signature “show” (dimple in the sand) as water recedes.

Season: Summer through fall (Aug–Sep peak for silvers)

Best time: Early morning, incoming tide

Gear: Medium-heavy rod, herring or spinners for boat; casting spoons from shore. Charter boats launch from Ilwaco.

Where: Marine Area 1 (Columbia River mouth to Leadbetter Point) by boat. Shore anglers target silvers from the North Jetty in late summer.

Species: Rainbow trout (stocked), coastal cutthroat trout (native)

When: Year-round on Peninsula lakes. Best spring and fall — summer fishing slows as water warms. Check WDFW for stocking schedules.

Best time: Early morning or late evening, especially on overcast days

Gear: Light to medium spinning rod (6–7 ft), 4–6 lb test line. Spinners (Mepps, Blue Fox Vibrax, Rooster Tails), small spoons (Little Cleo, Kastmaster), or PowerBait from shore. Fly anglers: 4–5 weight rod, nymphs, streamers, or dry flies to match the hatch.

Where: Loomis Lake, Black Lake, and Island Lake — all right on the Peninsula and regularly stocked with rainbow trout by WDFW. Largemouth bass and yellow perch are also present. The nearby Naselle River offers trout and steelhead in season.

Season: Year-round (pot gear closures Sep–Nov in some areas)

Best time: Incoming tide, early morning

Gear: Crab pots or snares, buoys, measuring gauge, bait (chicken or fish carcass), valid shellfish license

Where: Willapa Bay, Columbia River jetties, and the North Jetty. Snares work from jetty rocks; pots need a boat or kayak.

Season: Year-round, best spring through fall

Best time: Incoming tide, especially 1–2 hours before high tide. Calmer days with wave height under 4 feet

Gear: Medium surf rod (9–11 ft), high-low rig (two dropper loops about 18–24" apart, each with a 6" leader and size 2–4 hook, 2–4 oz pyramid sinker on the bottom). Bait with sand shrimp or clam necks.

Where: Ocean beach near small freshwater inflows and steeper sand shelves. Look for where clam diggers were the night before — the disturbance attracts fish.

Where: Nahcotta Tidelands — public tidelands on Willapa Bay, about 15 minutes from the cottage. Managed by WDFW.

When: Year-round (oyster season is open all year at Nahcotta)

Best time: Low tide — check tide tables and plan to arrive as the water recedes

Gear: Rubber boots or waders, bucket, shucking knife, valid WA shellfish license

Limit: 18 oysters per person per day. Return empty shells to the beach — they're the substrate for new oyster larvae.

Pro tip: Follow the pipe/freshwater outlet when walking out — the ground is more solid underfoot.

8.5-mile paved path from Long Beach to Ilwaco, following the coastline. Walk, bike, or jog with ocean views the entire way.

Two historic lighthouses, dramatic cliff trails, Lewis & Clark interpretive center, and stunning views of the Columbia River bar.

The Long Beach Peninsula hosts over 300 species of birds and up to 300,000 migratory shorebirds each spring. Willapa Bay is recognized as a Site of International Importance by the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve Network. Bald eagles are a common sight year-round — soaring over the beach, perched in old-growth firs, and hunting along the bay. Great blue herons, trumpeter swans, snowy plovers, peregrine falcons, sandpipers, and marbled godwits are all regularly spotted. Leadbetter Point and the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge are the top birding destinations.

At the northern tip of the Peninsula — pristine dunes, old-growth forest, and some of the best birdwatching in the Pacific Northwest.

Over 16,000 acres of tidal flats, forest, and wildlife habitat. Excellent for birding, kayaking, and quiet hikes. Roosevelt elk, black bear, and over 200 species of birds visit the refuge each year.

The northern state parks and the Willapa Refuge are home to a surprising variety of wildlife. Roosevelt elk are associated with Willapa Bay’s Long Island and the refuge’s old-growth forests. Black-tailed deer are everywhere. Black bear, coyote, cougar, and porcupine all inhabit the Peninsula — sightings are possible in the more remote areas around Leadbetter Point, Cape Disappointment, and the refuge. Keep your eyes open and your distance respectful.

Willapa Bay produces some of the finest oysters in the world. Roadside stands, farm tours, and bayside restaurants are all within easy reach.

From waterfront seafood spots and cozy bakeries to craft breweries and local diners — the Peninsula has more great food than you'd expect.

Local brewpubs, tasting rooms, and casual bars are scattered from downtown Long Beach to Seaview and beyond.

Freshly baked pastries, artisan bread, and locally roasted coffee — perfect for a slow morning before hitting the beach.

The only kite museum in the Western Hemisphere. Interactive exhibits, historic kites from around the world, and rotating displays. Open year-round in downtown Long Beach.

Home of Jake the Alligator Man and a wonderfully eclectic collection of oddities — coin-operated machines, antiques, and curios. A Long Beach institution since 1935.

A Peninsula landmark since 1885. Part general store, part museum — you'll find everything from fishing gear and rain boots to local jams and souvenirs. Worth a visit even if you don't need anything.

Learn the history of cranberry farming on the Peninsula — from hand-harvesting to modern bogs. Free admission, with a self-guided bog trail outside. Open spring through fall.

Half-mile elevated boardwalk through the dunes with interpretive signs about local ecology. A great sunset walk.

Artist studios and galleries dot the Peninsula — especially in downtown Long Beach and the historic village of Oysterville.

Classic arcade games, bumper cars, and go-kart racing in downtown Long Beach. Great for kids and families on a rainy day — or any day.

Ride along the shoreline with guided horseback tours available seasonally. One of the most memorable ways to experience the beach.

Two courses right on the Peninsula. Peninsula Golf Course is a scenic 9-hole course set on 55 acres of old-growth firs and rhododendrons, just one mile north of downtown Long Beach — plus an 18-hole disc golf course, indoor driving range, and The Cove Restaurant on-site. Surfside Golf Course in Ocean Park is a laid-back local favorite with a clubhouse café.

For a guided experience, visit Oysterville Sea Farms in the historic village of Oysterville (~20 min north). They offer hands-on farm tours through their oyster beds and production facility, plus a shucking class with the experts. Afterwards, enjoy freshly shucked half-shells or smoky grilled oysters on their bayside deck overlooking the tidal flats.

Book a tour at Oysterville Sea Farms →

Willapa Bay is the Northwest's second-largest estuary — over 100 miles of shoreline and six tributary rivers make it a paddler's paradise. Willapa Paddle Adventures in Raymond rents kayaks and paddleboards with guided and self-guided options. Paddle out to Long Island in the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge for a truly remote experience. The Peninsula's lakes — Loomis, Island, and Lost Lake — offer calm, sheltered paddling closer to home.

Rent bikes and cruise the Discovery Trail, explore downtown Long Beach, or ride on the hard-packed sand at low tide. Rentals are available in town — a great way to cover more ground without a car.

A Japanese-style open-air bathhouse at Snow Peak Campfield in Long Beach. Hinoki cypress sauna, heated soaking pool, and cold plunge.

Dramatic storm watching from the beach, Cape Disappointment, or your living room window. King tides crash against the jetties. Whale watching continues through winter. Cozy fireside nights with no crowds.

Crab Pot Christmas — early December at the Port of Ilwaco. A festive local tradition.

Pacific Coast Running Festival — annual event with a kids' dash, 5K, 10K, half marathon, and a full marathon run entirely on the sand.

Long-stay discounts make winter the best-value season — settle in for a week or a month and make the Peninsula your home base.

Long sunny days, warm evenings, beach bonfires, and peak fishing season. This is when the Peninsula comes alive.

Columbia Pacific Farmers Market — every Friday, June through September, 12–5 PM at Veterans Field in downtown Long Beach. Fresh local produce, seafood, cranberries, artisan crafts, live music, and prepared foods. A weekly community gathering you won't want to miss.

Saturday Market at the Port of Ilwaco — summer Saturdays along the waterfront. Local produce, art, and handmade goods.

Sandsations Sand Sculpture Festival — mid-July at Bolstad Beach Approach. Four days of sand sculpting lessons, competitions, and jaw-dropping public art on the beach. Free to watch.

Music in the Gardens — July. Tour private Peninsula gardens with live music by local and regional musicians. A beloved tradition since 2005.

Peninsula Blues Festival — mid-August at the Port of Peninsula overlooking Willapa Bay. A weekend of award-winning Northwest and international blues acts, camping, and bayside vibes.

Washington State International Kite Festival — third full week of August. The world's premier kite event fills the sky with color for an entire week. Competitions, demonstrations, and family activities on the beach.

Long Beach Rodeo — late July at the Peninsula Saddle Club (6407 Sandridge Rd). Bull riding, barrel racing, roping, and steer wrestling. A genuine local tradition since the 1940s, right here on the Peninsula.

Gray whale migration passes right offshore — watch from the beach or Cape Disappointment. Wildflowers blanket Leadbetter Point. Razor clam digs run through spring (check WDFW for scheduled dates). The Peninsula is uncrowded and beautiful.

Ilwaco Crab Crawl — March. Live crab races and seafood fun in downtown Ilwaco.

Razor Clam & Shellfish Festival — mid-to-late April at Veterans Field in downtown Long Beach. Free admission. Clam chowder taste-off, Dungeness crab boil, live music, cooking demos, clam digging lessons, oyster shucking contest, and food trucks. A beloved Peninsula tradition dating back to the 1940s.

Loyalty Days Parade — May. The longest consecutively running Loyalty Day commemoration in the nation, celebrated in Long Beach since 1950.

Fewer crowds, dramatic skies, and the start of storm watching season. Razor clam digs resume in fall.

Rod Run to the End of the World — second weekend of September. Over 1,000 classic cars and hot rods descend on Ocean Park for this legendary event hosted by the Beach Barons Car Club. Parades through Long Beach and Ilwaco, swap meet, raffles, awards, and a seafood barbecue. One of the biggest car events in the Pacific Northwest.

Garlic Festival — September in nearby Ocean Park. Local garlic growers, food vendors, live entertainment, and all things garlic.

Cranberry Harvest Festival — October. The Long Beach Peninsula is cranberry country — local farms have been harvesting for over 150 years. Watch the bogs flood red, sample cranberry treats, and celebrate the harvest.

Mushroom foraging — fall rains bring chanterelles and other wild mushrooms to the coastal forests.

A historic port city at the mouth of the Columbia River with a thriving downtown full of breweries, vintage shops, and waterfront dining.

Astoria Column — climb 164 steps for sweeping views of the river, ocean, and mountains. Free to climb ($5 parking).

Columbia River Maritime Museum — world-class museum on the riverfront, home to the lightship Columbia and dramatic exhibits on the "Graveyard of the Pacific."

Astoria Riverwalk & Trolley — stroll or ride the vintage trolley along 4 miles of waterfront. Breweries, restaurants, and sea lions along the way.

Fort George Brewery — one of Oregon's best craft breweries, right downtown. Great food, great beer, great atmosphere.

Flavel House Museum — a stunning Queen Anne Victorian mansion from 1885 with period furnishings and beautiful gardens.

Bonus: Astoria is where The Goonies was filmed — fans can visit the iconic house and other filming locations around town.

Seasonal highlight, Astoria Sunday Market: every Sunday from Mother's Day through mid-October, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on 12th Street downtown. Up to 150 local farmers, makers, and food vendors fill four city blocks, with live regional music throughout. Astoria's signature weekend stop from spring into fall. Bonus seasonal events: the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival on the last weekend of April, and the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in mid-June.

A classic beach resort town with a boardwalk promenade, arcades, candy shops, and family-friendly energy.

Seaside Carousel Mall — a beautifully restored carousel with hand-painted animals, right on Broadway. A hit with kids and adults alike. Open year-round.

Seaside Aquarium — one of the oldest aquariums on the West Coast (est. 1937). Feed the harbor seals, explore touch tanks, and see Pacific marine life up close.

The Promenade ("The Prom") — a 1.5-mile concrete walkway along the beach, perfect for a sunset stroll. Ends at the iconic Turnaround with the Lewis & Clark statue.

Broadway Street — the main drag, lined with arcades, saltwater taffy shops, bumper cars, and souvenir stores. Old-school boardwalk vibes.

Seaside Laser Tag & Arcade — two-story laser tag arena plus the world's largest Pac-Man. Fun for the whole family.

Seasonal highlight, Seaside Farmers Market: every Wednesday from mid-June through mid-September, 1 to 6 p.m. at 1120 Broadway. Fresh produce, pasture-raised meat, seafood, artisan food, and live music in the food court. Note: midweek market, not a weekend one. Other seasonal stops: the First Saturday Art Walk year-round in the historic Gilbert District, the Hood to Coast Relay finish line on the last weekend of August, and Seaside SandFest in mid-September.