Information on Long Beach, Washington
Long Beach is a peninsula at the southwest end of Washington State. Chock-full of ecological, agricultural and historical attractions, it shares its name with its largest city, which is known for its world-famous kite festival, and is a major vacation destination. A network of small towns, state parks and national heritage sites, the peninsula gains its name from its extraordinarily long shoreline.
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Geography
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Long Beach Peninsula is 28 miles long, and extends from Leadbetter Point State Park at its northern tip to the Columbia River at the south. It is bounded on the east by Willapa Bay, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Its western coast is reputed to be the longest beach in the United States. The city of Long Beach sits at the southwestern base of the peninsula.
History
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Native Indians inhabited the peninsula for thousands of years. Because of its proximity to the mouth of the Columbia River, the area received a fair amount of prominence due to European explorers during the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1778 Captain James Cook explored the area and was followed by the explorers George Vancouver and Robert Gray.
The Lewis and Clark exploration of 1805 is largely credited with the prompt settlement by Europeans during the 19th century, who saw financial opportunities in the area's natural resources and eventually, cranberry production.
Today, Long Beach is best known for its cranberry industry and successful tourism trade. -
The City of Long Beach
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The City of Long Beach is home to the World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame, the only museum of its kind in North America. During the month of August, kite enthusiasts swarm the beaches and downtown quarter to take part in the city's International Kite Festival. Local seafood, good kite-flying weather and a comfortable small-town atmosphere are major attractions during the temperate summer months.
Wildlife
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The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, which borders the north end of the Peninsula, is home to hundreds of thousands of migrating birds during the spring, as well as black bear, elk, deer and otter. Encompassing three different refuges, it covers more than 15,000 acres of land, estuaries, islands and lakes. More than 70 different species of birds and 40 species of mammals receive protection in these three refuges.
Activities
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For those who enjoy walking, there is no end of places to explore. Lighthouse-viewing, festivals and beachcombing are among the most popular activities.
The Discovery Trail stretches almost nine miles from the Port of Ilwaco (southeast of the city of Long Beach) to the north end of the city and recreates the steps of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Lodging
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Private camping and RV facilities salt the peninsula and the eastern edges of the city of Long Beach. Cape Disappointment State Park, which overlooks the mouth of the Columbia River, has more than 200 camping sites, some of which can accommodate RVs.
Motels, bed and breakfast inns, lodges and vacation rentals are located throughout the Long Beach city area and rural sections north of the city.
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