Long Beach Boardwalk in southwestern Washington isn’t flanked with neon lights or cotton-candy vendors. The half-mile walkway is a more sublime summertime escape. Appearing almost suspended above grassy dunes, the wooden planks look onto stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, North Head Lighthouse, and a sandy beach that stretches more than 20 miles. Early risers will see shorebirds feeding as the day begins. At night, you can stargaze and watch the moon’s reflection sway on dune grass and ocean waves. The skies fill with color during the Washington State International Kite Festival in August.
Don’t Miss: Wood-oven-baked Willapa Bay oysters and ocean views at the nearby Scapece Restaurant & Bar Aperitivo followed by an evening boardwalk stroll.
Best Off-Boardwalk Deal: Making your own miniature kite at the World Kite Museum ($5 admission) then flying it on the boardwalk.
[more]
Hi – we’ve been coming to Long Beach every summer for eight years and have thoroughly enjoyed the small town and beach. My mother is in a wheel chair and having the boardwalk has allowed her the beach experience without the problems. Over the past couple of years, we’ve noticed that the sand dunes have gotten higher, limiting the beach views. Up until this year, this only meant finding another spot on the boardwalk that still provided views. But this year, the dunes are all too high, blocking almost all beach views. Are you aware of this? Have you anything being proposed that would grade the sand – at least the front range – along the boardwalk? It would certainly be worth the man-hours and make many wheel-chair bound visitors VERY happy.
Hi Don & Peggy. I’ve forwarded your comments to the City of Long Beach, who has “groomed” the dunes in the past.