Long Beach, Washington: A Great Place for Kids AND Grownups!

Long Beach is the world's longest beach, spanning 30 miles. On the southwest border of Washington State, it is surrounded by water: Pacific Ocean to the west, Columbia River to the south, and Willapa Bay to the north and east.

Long Beach is a playground. There are amusements, hiking trails, shopping, dining and lodging. No matter what your age, there's something to do here. I am going to show you some of my favorite places. I'm going to tell you where you can play, where you can eat and where you can sleep.

Long beach was made with kids in mind. We have horseback riding, a curiosity museum, go carts, bumper cars, amusement rides and two arcades.

Long Beach Go Karts and Krazy Kars on the corner of Pacific Way and Sid Snyder Drive has an adult track for kids and adults ages 12 and up, AND a kid track for kids ages 6-12. Adults can ride on the kid track with children younger than six.

On the same block as Long Beach Go Karts and Krazy Kars is the bumper car house. People of every age love bumper cars. West of the go-carts on Sid Snyder Drive is the World Kite Museum. At $5 per adult and $3 per child, it is worth every penny, and they have a great gift shop. They show kites from all over the World and explain kite technology I've never heard of: windless kites, fighter kites, kite ballet and handmade kites. Here you learn that there's more to flying kites than just string and wind.

Between the Go Karts and the Kite Museum are two horse-rental agencies, Back Country Wilderness Outfitters and Skippers Equestrian Center. Both outfits will take your family for an hour-long horseback ride on the beach. At the time of this writing, Skippers will watch your dog for you, if you choose to bring him.

We have two arcades, one of which is Funland at 200 Pacific Avenue South. They have video games, amusements, air hockey and LAZER TAG! You can lose your kids in here for hours, and maybe waste some time here yourself. My husband and I frequently play air hockey there. I guess we look like we're having fun, because before long, there will be a line to use the table.

If you go one block north of the main drag you can play a round of miniature golf, which is fun for all ages.


In the summer there are amusement rides. Besides the merry-go-round, there are rides that will entertain older kids and toddlers, including a ferris wheel, a tilt-a-whirl and a boat-ride for the smaller children.

Across from the amusement rides is Marsh's Free Museum, home of Jake the Alligator Man. Leaving Long Beach without seeing Jake is like leaving Disney Land without seeing Mickey Mouse. Jake is Long Beach's claim to fame and the first thing people who have been here think of when you mention "Long Beach". Make sure your kids have some change leftover from the arcade, because there are all kinds of vintage amusement machines at Marsh's. Marsh's also carries a vast collection of seashells, unique gifts, apparel and antiques. They used to give their customers a free sea shell with every purchase. I need to find out if they still do that. I'll bet they do.

If your kids must see the newest movie, we do have a theater. The Neptune Twin Theater has two theaters, and shows three different movies per week. They have the best price on snacks I've ever seen. If you choose to lodge in town, the theater is walking distance from most of the motels.

Does your family like to bowl? About two miles south of Long Beach is Hilltop Bowl. Kids love this place. They serve food, too.

There's a basketball court/skate park two blocks east of the main drag on Washington Street. It's not a big skate park, but it can entertain your skater for a few minutes. Skateboarding is not allowed on the sidewalks on the main street in downtown Long Beach. The Long Beach Police has been known to confiscate skateboards until parents come to pick them up, so be forewarned. I have been one of the lucky parents to have to go and retrieve a skate board.

There is a ton of stuff for adults to do. The arcade the bumper cars and the go-carts are not just for kids. But if you are not into that, you can walk on the beach or the boardwalk and enjoy a beautiful sunset. There are several upscale restaurants, museums, a bookstore, and a wine shop. Like golf? We have two golf courses! Rent a scooter and ride on the beach, or even better...to Cape Disappointment for beautiful beaches and views.

Banana Books and Espresso



I chatted with owners Ed and Mary briefly, and they are such nice people, and their store is wonderful! You just walk in the door and feel comfortable. The books are uniquely organized in a way that shows off their covers, yet makes them easy to find.

All the books are pre-owned, so the costs are very reasonable. They have a great selection of novels, cookbooks (my favorite!) and childrens' books. In addition to books, they have espresso and Mary makes handcrafted jewelry. She has a great eye for color.


Here's a small sample of Mary's creations.



So go in, grab and espresso, browse the books and jewelry. After you've made your purchases, relax on the patio under the umbrella and watch the people go by.

Golf
There is a sign at Marsh's Free Museum that says, "Golf is a nice walk, spoiled by a little, white ball". If you like to feel a nice club in your hand and the satisfying thwack of the ball, we have two golf courses. The Peninsula Golf Course is a mile north of town and is a 9-hole course. All nine holes are named in honor of ships sunk in the Columbia Bar and descriptions of the holes are on their website. If you feel like playing 18 holes, the Surfside Golf Course is 15 miles north in Ocean Park, and is right by the Surfside Inn. The number for a tee-time is 360.665.4148.

Self-indulgence
Perhaps a massage? The Sea Cottage Massage Salon is in Long Beach. There are two other massage salons on the Peninsula; one in Ilwaco and the other in Seaview. Azure Salon and Spa in Ilwaco also does manicures, pedicures and hair. Dianne Duprez in Seaview does heated stone therapy. All contact information for these businesses are at Funbeach.com.

Just Plain Fun!
I have always enjoyed going for a scooter ride, and the Peninsula has so many places to ride! You can rent a scooter on an hourly basis from Long Beach Moped, Bicycle and Surrey Rentals on Sid Snyder Drive. You can ride your scooter in town, or go down to Cape Disappointment and ride there. I don't know what their policy is about taking their scooters on the beach, as sand can be very damaging. It's good to know what the tides are doing if you are going to ride on the beach. At high tide the sand is all powdery and soft, and is not fun to ride on at all. Another good thing to know is that vehicles are not allowed on the beaches at Cape Disappointment, but they are allowed on the beach north of there between Beard's Hollow and Seaview, and between the Bolstad Approach and Oysterville Road. The area between Seaview and Bolstad is closed to traffic, and there are signs indicating so. Also, vehicles are to drive at the high water line and off the clam beds, or the state patrol will give you a ticket, if you are caught.

The Best Breakfast Menu
Laurie's Homestead, Seaview

The Best Sweet and Sour Pork
Chens, Long Beach

The Best Cioppinio
Doogers, Long Beach

The Best Fried Chicken
The Corral, Long Beach
Sids IGA, Seaview
Thriftway, Ocean Park

The Best Bacon Cheeseburger
The Corral, Long beach
The Shelburne Inn, Seaview

The Best Milk Shake
The Corral, Long beach

The Best Fries
The Corral, Long Beach
The Dunes, Ocean Park

The Best Chowder
The Dunes, Ocean Park

The Best Chicken Fried Steak
The Dunes, Ocean Park
Lauries, Seaview

The Best Crab Cakes:
The Shelburne Inn, Seaview

The Best Crab
Doogers

The Best Chinese Food
Chens, Long Beach

The Best Ocean View
The Lightship Restaurant, Long Beach

The Best Pizza
Chicos, Seaview

The Best Halibut Fish and Chips
The Dunes, Ocean Park
The Shelburne Inn, Seaview

The Most Interesting View
Any restaurant along the harbor in Ilwaco. My favorite place has unfortunately changed hands and has failed me. I have to find a new one. One time, my husband and I were entertained by a family of otters swimming by. One of them got up on the dock and slinked along for a few feet before joining his family in the water again.

The Best Desserts
The Full Circle Cafe and Tapestry Rose Yarn Shop, Ocean Park

The Best Value For My Dollar
Chen's, Long Beach
Taco Express, inside Scoopers. Corner of Bolstad and Pacific Way.

Best Coffee
Full Circle Cafe, Ocean Park

Looking for the Ark?
Now Nancy and Jimella's on Pacific Way, in Klipsan Beach

Save room for candy and ice cream. There is an Ice cream shop, a candy store and a bakery.
The Candy Man has Chocolate, Truffles, Taffy, Fudge and a wonderful selection of novelty candy. He also has chocolate covered potato chips, Twinkies and Jalepenos.
Cottage Bakery has a ton of wonderful pastries, cakes and pies. They do not take plastic, but there's an ATM on the premises. They also have real food, like sandwiches and soup.
Scoopers has hand-dipped ice cream, ice cream novelties and other snacks.

Yes! Bring your dog! Dogs love the beach! Long Beach and the rest of the Peninsula is very dog friendly, and several of the local motels allow pets. At the funbeach.com website there is a dog logo on the listings for the hotels, motels and B&B's that accept pets. Please be aware that all of the motels do not allow pets to be left alone in the rooms.

Just recently, Dennis Company (our local variety store) has announced that dogs are welcome in the store. Located on Bolstad and Pacific Way, Dennis company is a good place to get pet supplies, clothing and gifts. Forgot something? Dennis Company might just have it.

If you do bring your dog and it is over 70 degrees outside, do not leave him in the car, unless you can find a shady spot to park it. The temperature inside a car can get very hot very quickly. People will see your dog in your car and say very nasty things about you. There is a groomer/pet sitting service Just north of Long Beach on the west side of the highway called, "Pawprints in the Sand".



Pacific County is very dog friendly, and Fido will not be required to be on a leash on the beach, as long as he is a good citizen. However, keep in mind that much of the beach is considered state highway, so watch for traffic. Pet owners are also required to clean up after their pets. Be sure and bring a bottle of fresh water and a bowl, as ocean water is very upsetting to dogs' delicate digestive systems.

If you left your dog at home, last time I looked, the Pacific County Humane Society will let you borrow a dog so you can get your dog fix. The Pacific County Humane Society is located on Bolstad Avenue, at the north end of Long Beach. To get there: At the Long Beach Pharmacy, take a right and it will be on the left, a couple of blocks down. If you do borrow a dog, be prepared to get a full smell-down and a hurt look from Fido when you get home.

The Most Centralized:
Rodeway Inn 800.753.3750
Super 8 888.478.3297

Best View
Cedars Inn 888.886.9111
Chataqua Lodge 800.869.8401
Edgewater INN 800.561.2456
Harbor Lights (Ilwaco) 360.642.3196

Most Dog Friendly
Super 8 888.478.3297
The Breakers 800.219.9833
Chataqua Lodge 800.869.8401
Cedars Inn 888.886.9111

Has a Pool AND Dog Friendly
The Breakers 800.219.9833
Chatauqua Lodge 800.869.8401

Most Historic
The Shelburne Inn, Seaview 800.INN.1896

The Cheapest
Chataqua Lodge 800.869.8401
Cedars Inn 888.886.9111
The Breakers 800.219.9833

This is a partial list. For a more complete listing please visit the "Lodging" page at funbeach.com.

I hope this lens was helpful to you in deciding to check out the Long Beach Peninsula for your next vacation plans. Be sure when you get here to make your first stop the Long Beach Visitor's Bureau, which is on the right just as you get into town. The people here have a plethora of information and love what they do. They may tell you some things to do that I haven't even thought of! The Long Beach Visitor's Bureau is open seven days-a-week.

Please watch for my upcoming lenses, which will include other great things to do on the Long Beach Peninsula and things to do in the off-season. Now go visit http://www.funbeach.com and make those reservations!