Welcome to Long Beach

The Long Beach peninsula is a popular destination for visitors touring the southwest Washington and northwest Oregon area at the mouth of the Columbia River.  There are many opportunities for outdoor recreational activities including fishing and golf.  State parks offer wildlife viewing and a chance to gain an appreciation of the history of this area.  There are also special events scheduled throughout the year that attract many visitors.

The small town of Ilwaco, on US101, is the main gateway to the peninsula, especially for people traveling northwards through the Astoria area in Oregon.  The Ilwaco Heritage Museum and the historic Colbert House are excellent places to acquire an introduction to the history of this area.

	Ilwaco Harbor Village at the Port of Ilwaco attracts many visitors with its shops and galleries and restaurants overlooking the marina.  The Slow Drag and the Baker Bay kayak and canoe races are popular annual events held in the
port area.  The Saturday market provides a chance to meet locals and purchase fresh produce and local handicrafts.  Visit the City of Ilwaco web site for more information.

Cape Disappointment (formerly Fort Canby) State Park with its lighthouses and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center within the park are to the south of Ilwaco at the southern end of the peninsula.  This area is one of the primary attractions for many visitors because of its historical connections and scenic views.  The cape is also a very good location for watching whales during their annual migrations along the coast.  The park also has camping facilities.

The Cape Disappointment Historic District, the Colbert House in Ilwaco, the Oysterville Historic District, the Peter Schulderman House and the Shelburne Hotel in Seaview, and the Wreckage Building in Ocean Park are peninsula sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Online Encyclopedia of Washington History has several articles on the history of the Long Beach Peninsula and its people, including Cape Disappointment State Park, arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in Pacific County, shipwrecks off the Washington Coast and an overview of Pacific County's history.  Use community places names in the search option on the encyclopedia's web site for more articles.

Seaview, also on US101, is the gateway to the peninsula for visitors arriving from the north.  It combines with the city of Long Beach to provide a large selection of accommodations, dining and camping facilities.  Many of the available choices for lodging are within walking distance of the beach that is a primary attraction and venue for several events during the year. 

	Kite flying is particularly popular for flyers and for onlookers to observe the colorful and imaginatively-designed kites and the skill of the flyers as they maneuver them over the beach. There is a World Kite Museum near the beach that provides a history of
this sport and an introduction to the skills and talented people that are involved.

The peninsula is more than just a tourist destination.  The Cranberry Museum and Demonstration Farm and the Willapa Bay Interpretive Center provide an insight to other important parts of the local economy and ways of life.

Pacific Pines State Park, north of Long Beach, offers a variety of recreation opportunities including water activities and wildlife viewing.  The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge at the northern tip of the peninsula is another area for exploring nature and observing wildlife.  Ledbetter Point in the refuge is a noted location for bird watchers in Washington.  (See also Friends of Willapa National Wildlife Refuge)

Opportunities for golf and horseback riding add to the many outdoor activities available for visitors.

For more information visit the web site for the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau.

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