Right on the border of Oregon there is a magical beach town called Long Beach, Washington, (not to be mistaken with Long Beach, California). First off the drive to Long Beach is beautiful and gorgeous and it feels like you are driving to a magical get away. They do have a sign coming into their beach that says World’s Longest Beach, which is a little bit of a lie but I guess putting “Longest Beach on a Peninsula” is a little too long. I just think of it as a quirky little aspect to make you love it even more.
This place has a bookish charm to it if you know what I mean. There was an overall feel of friendliness when I went which is nice to feel when you’re in a new and unfamiliar area. If you want to feel like you are in a feel good small town romance where the MMC sets up a romantic picnic on the beach for the FMC then this is the place for you. When I visited the beach was pretty much empty in comparison to my experience with other beaches in California. You had your choice of where to sit and relax on the beach and didn’t have to worry about being too close to someone else’s area. The beach was also the cleanest beach I visited especially since the Kite Festival was held there only about a week ago, it was spotless. Again this is all based on my previous experience with California beaches.
It has small town ambiance all over it with a cute bakery called Dylan’s Cottage Bakery and Delicatessen down the main street. Make sure to get up early to beat the lines it gets crowded very quickly! Just down the street from the bakery is a delicious little Bubble tea store, that also offers food as well as various themed merchandise. For dinner, I highly recommend the Chowder Stop their food was delectable it is a small restaurant and is pretty popular around dinner time. They have delicious halibut and chips also a really yummy shrimp cocktail you should try. I did try their oysters since the area is known for its shellfish harvest and Oh My God was it delicious and I wish I had more. There are many really interesting and good looking restaurants in the area, so you won’t have to worry about that. The area also has food trucks if you want a quicker option rather than a sit down. If you do decide to visit the area you have to have their seafood since that is their main industry along with cranberries.
Don’t worry about not being able to bring you furry pet because practically every hotel accepts them there, and they are allowed on the beach as well and along the boardwalk as long as they are picked up after. While I was there I stayed at the Inn at the Sea which I will admit was not my fanciest stay but if you are looking for a place that is affordable, comfortable, accepts you furry friend, and is within walking distance of the beach than its for you. They also had a decent breakfast option and had loads of fun board games that you could borrow if you wanted to! The other plus to staying at Inn at the Sea is that it was within walking distance of everything. Like I said it was not my fanciest stay but for the price I paid and for all the perks that come with it it made it worthwhile a stay. If you feel like staying on the beach you are more than welcomed to, just make sure you have all the right paperwork before you do.
This town is also really close to the photo op that is Cape Disappointment. Don’t let the name fool you it is absolutely beautiful and you will be anything but disappointed when you go see it. Just so you know there is really limited parking availability at Cape Disappointment, so get there early if you want to be able to see it would be my suggestion. Another fun thing that Long Beach, Washington does is at the end of August they hold the Washington Kite Competition. Sadly, by the time I got down there it was already over but I could imagine that it was amazing and magical and I plan on visiting this upcoming year to see it in person.