Nestled in the southwestern-most corner of Washington, the Long Beach Peninsula is a great beach spot on the Washington Coast. Just north of the Oregon border, this area is close to both Portland and Seattle. You can drive here from Seattle in about 3 hours and from Portland in less than 2 1/2 hours. Plus, it’s just full of fun things to do and beautiful beaches to visit.
Having grown up in Oregon and now living outside Portland, I’m used to all the amazing Oregon Coast towns. I haven’t explored Washington beach towns nearly enough. I’m so glad I’ve stumbled across Seaview, Long Beach and the Long Beach Peninsula!
It’s not hard to see why.
One thing I love about Seaview and Long Beach, Washington—my favorite towns on the Long Beach Peninsula—is that they’re charming without being overdeveloped. You generally won’t have to fight big crowds, avoid annoying chains or struggle to find a place to stay. Much of the time—especially during the shoulder season, when I visited—you’ll experience sleepy towns with a laid-back vibe.
Plus, the beaches here are gorgeous. 28 miles of continuous coastline make for plenty of places to adventure!
Read on for the best things to do in Seaview and Long Beach, plus restaurant recommendations and where to stay.
Wait—Is It Seaview or Long Beach, Washington?
Both! Well, kind of.
Seaview and Long Beach, Washington run into each other. They’re both small beach towns in Washington, and nothing separates them.
I know, of course, that they’re distinct towns. But for the purposes of traveling to Seaview or Long Beach, they’re pretty interchangeable.
Next up: 9 fun things to do on the Long Beach Peninsula!
Things to Do in Seaview, WA
1. Bike the Discovery Trail
The 8.5-mile-long Discovery Trail begins in Long Beach, WA and extends south through Seaview and Cape Disappointment State Park. The paved bike trail ends in Ilwaco on Baker Bay, which is part of the Columbia River.
The stretch of the Discovery Trail in Long Beach runs parallel to the pedestrian boardwalk along the beach. It winds through gentle dunes and beautiful scenery. Keep an eye out for deer—I spotted several families when I visited!
2. Stroll the Long Beach Boardwalk
Didn’t bring your bike and not up for renting one? Take a walk along the Long Beach Boardwalk instead.
This wood-slat boardwalk runs parallel to the beach and the Pacific Ocean. It’s a great option to see the gorgeous landscape without filling your shoes with sand.
The half-mile-long boardwalk is a favorite spot for locals as well as visitors. Pause in the evening to catch the sunset over the Pacific!
3. Visit Adrift Distillers
If you’re visiting Seaview without kids, or the littles are busy (and supervised) at the beach, stop by Adrift Distillers.
This craft distillery is just a block from the beach and makes truly delicious spirits. Housed in the same building as the Adrift Hotel, you can stop in and get the booze to recreate cocktails served at Pickled Fish. (See the below section on Seaview restaurants.)
I picked up a bottle of Adrift Distillers cranberry liqueur, made with local cranberries, to bring home.
4. See cranberry bogs
Speaking of cranberries—did you know that about a third of the cranberries in the U.S. are grown in Washington? You can learn this (and much, much more) at the Cranberry Museum in Long Beach, WA.
This small and homey museum is about a 5-minute drive from the main drag in Long Beach. You can walk among the cranberry bogs, which are test and research bogs operated by Washington State University.
It won’t take you long to see the extent of the Cranberry Museum (it’s quite small). Make sure to buy a bag of cranberries before you go (you might want to make cranberry-orange bread at home—my favorite!) and a scoop of cranberry ice cream. Yum!
If you visit Long Beach in October, definitely stop by the Cranberry Museum then. You might get to see the cranberry harvest. You’ll probably also spot pop-up roadside stands selling cranberries throughout the Long Beach Peninsula.
5. Browse Marsh’s Free Museum
Is it a museum? Is it a shop? Maybe a little of both, but it definitely is bizarre. Imagine a quirky great-aunt folks don’t really talk about opened up her weird attic to the public. Now you have a good sense of Marsh’s Free Museum.
Filled with curios, secondhand knickknacks, shells, touristy beach items and taxidermy, this odd Seaview thing to do should make your list. Just take a calming breath before you dive in. It’s a little overwhelming—and totally worth a visit.
6. Shop and sip at Bold Coffee Art & Framing
Beach towns in Washington need good cafes. After all, even during the summer the beaches can get chilly. You’ll definitely want to check out Bold Coffee Art & Framing when you need something warm to sip.
I love Bold Coffee not only for its cafe but also its gallery/gift shop. I enjoyed browsing the ceramics, art and prints by local artists. If you’re hunting for a unique souvenir or gift, skip the run-of-the-mill beach shops and head here instead.
7. See live music at the Sou’wester
Long Beach and Seaview, Washington aren’t exactly hopping in the nightlife department. So if you want to see live music, head to the Sou’wester Lodge.
This historic lodge and trailer glamping spot hosts live music most weekends. (Check their live music calendar first.) It’s a small, intimate venue, but it doesn’t serve drinks. That means kids are welcome, too!
8. Explore Cape Disappointment
Despite its name, Cape Disappointment State Park is anything but disappointing. Its gorgeous lighthouse, beautiful beach and hiking trails make this park one of the best things to do in Seaview.
Cape Disappointment is a 10-minute drive south of Seaview on the Long Beach Peninsula. I recommend spending a half-day here (though it also has great camping, including yurts, if you want to stay overnight!).
9. Marvel at the Long Beach Kite Festival
Whether you join in the high-flying fun or watch as a spectator, don’t miss the Long Beach Kite Festival. Technically called the Washington State International Kite Festival, this summer event draws everyone from kids to international kite-flying competitors to Long Beach.
The kite festival happens the third week of August. Know that Long Beach and Seaview are particularly busy and congested during the festival. This is not the time to go if you’re looking for a quiet beach vacation. That said, if you’re up for all the fun and excitement, book your lodging ASAP! Hotels and AirBnBs fill up quickly. (My favorite place to stay is the nearby Sou’wester Lodge, which includes a few lodge suites as well as more than 30 retrofitted vintage trailers. Check out my full review of the Sou’wester here.)
The winds coming off the Pacific Ocean make this area a prime kite-flying spot. So if you visit the Long Beach Peninsula the 51 weeks of the year that are not the Long Beach Kite Festival, you can still have fun! Didn’t bring your own kite? Buy one at the shops along Pacific Way (the main street through town). You can also bone up on your kite history at the World Kite Museum, a few steps away from the beach.
Long Beach & Seaview, Washington Restaurants
Word to the wise: Some Seaview restaurants close early, even on a weekend evening, in the off season. I visited Seaview, Washington in January—definitely not peak tourist time—and struggled to find dinner on a Saturday night. Many restaurants closed at 8 or were mysteriously shuttered, in spite of the hours listed on their website.
If you’re visiting Long Beach or Seaview, WA, plan ahead for dinner: You’ll need a reservation at the nicer restaurants (such as Pickled Fish). Regardless of where you go, aim to eat on the early side so you’re not left scrambling.
Pickled Fish
This upscale restaurant in the Adrift hotel specializes in local seafood as well as wood fired oven pizza. Even if you don’t have much of an appetite, you’ll want to check out Pickled Fish for its ocean views and killer cocktails. (There’s a rotating monthly benefit cocktail that supports a local nonprofit—delicious drinks for a cause!)
Historic Shelburne Hotel & Pub
On the main street leading through Seaview and Long Beach, Washington, you’ll spot an adorable historic hotel. The Shelburne was built in 1896 and retains many of its original features. My friend Snow and I ate a delicious lunch here. The stained glass windows in the Shelburne Pub are just stunning!
Lost Roo
This Australian-inspired sports pub is great for hearty pub fare. One night we needed a meal when most other spots were closed, and the Lost Roo came through! Expect the usual sports pub atmosphere, with TVs streaming games on every wall—as well as delicious food. I ordered a yummy fish taco dinner and was 100% happy. It also has a family-friendly kids’ menu.
Patty’s Fish Tacos
This local, small taco restaurant uses locally caught fish in ultra-fresh tacos. This Seaview restaurant isn’t anything fancy; you’ll get your tacos in a styrofoam to-go container. But you just can’t beat just-caught fish tacos!
Seaview Beach: Why’s it called “Long Beach”?
Have I mentioned the beach? Not nearly enough.
Seaview Beach is one part of the world’s longest continuous peninsula beach. You read that right—the longest in the world.
Stretching 28 miles, the beach of the Long Beach Peninsula is a lot of coastline. Some areas are peaceful and pristine; others (like Seaview Beach) allow cars and vehicles to drive on the sand.
No matter where you end up on this stretch of the Washington Coast, though, it’s beautiful.
Where to Stay on the Long Beach Peninsula
When I visited Seaview and Long Beach, Washington, I stayed at the Sou’wester. This lodge and vintage trailer property is the most unique lodging in the area: You can stay in a renovated bus or trailer!
This Seaview glamping spot is a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Plus, there’s plenty to do right on the Sou’wester property, from going shopping in the vintage shop (housed in a trailer, obvi) to steaming in the sauna to checking out art in their gallery.
If you’re curious about a totally unique place to stay in Seaview, read my full and honest review of the Sou’wester.
So how about you: Are you ready to check out Long Beach and Seaview, 2 adorable beach towns in Washington? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
