Long Beach, WA
 

Is the Long Beach area a nice place for romantic long weekend to 5 days for a couple? We enjoy hiking, biking, antique shops, and relaxing. We’re from the mid-west and love having the opportunity to be near the coast but there are so many different places to see in Washington and Oregon. I would love to hear about someone's first hand experiences.

Long Beach is nice. I've spent several weekends down there. Personally, I'd choose the Oregon Coast (Cannon Beach, or the less-crowded Manzanita or Yachats) over Long Beach, because I prefer the rocky rugged coastline to the flat beach on the LB Peninsula. But on the plus side, there would be better opportunities for nice flat biking on uncrowded roads at Long Beach.

RJ, Long Beach and the Long Beach peninsula are somewhat different from the "typical" Oregon and Washington coastal images. It's a wide, very long, very straight, beach, low dunes and dune grass, scrub trees, etc, on the east, very big surf out there. Cars are allowed on the beach in places. It's not the big rocks and crashing surf scene you'll get farther north or south. Long Beach town itself is a sort of funky beach resort - taffy stands, etc., not as "romantic" as some other places, but fun nonetheless. Farther north up the peninsula there's a very interesting historic town called Oysterville, near which is one of the best restaurants in the whole northwest, The Ark. South of Long Beach a couple of miles is Ilwaco, with a picturesque harbor and some rocky bits and a cool lighthouse nearby; farther south yet is the bridge across the mouth of the Columbia River (awesome) to Astoria, farther south yet are the popular Oregon resorts of Seaside and Cannon Beach. All these places are within easy reach of Long Beach, so you ought to be able to fill your days. Your nights are your own business.

First let me say I like Long Beach a lot, but maybe becaus it is NOT like certain places in Oregon, say Cannon Beach. The town of Long Beach is delightfully tacky. There might be a couple of "junque shops" or flea markets in season, but for antiques you could do better. In my opinion, your experience might depend on what hotel/motel you stay in. The beach near the town center, such as it is, has recently been marred by a couple of the ugliest midrise motels anywhere on earth. However, there are some charming places north of Long Beach toward Klipsan Beach. At the tip of the Long Beach peninsula are some beautiful places to hike along the beach (particularly on the bay side). Don't forget to bring your mosquito repellent. Also, there are beautiful walks near the mouth of the Columbia River in and near the state parks there. A visit to the light house is interesting. <BR> Places in Oregon, Cannon Beach and Manzanita, for example, have more "classically" beautiful seaside scenery. (There are some absolutely spectacular hikes between Cannon Beach and Manzanita - a couple of my favorites take off from a state park called Oswald West.) On the other hand, Cannon Beach suffers from a great overabundance of too cute artsy craftsy stores. It is very fashionable. Long Beach is not. (One thought. If you are staying in Long Beach for up to five days you might enjoy a day visit to Astoria which is has a great setting and has some interesting old Victorian homes, at least one of which is open.) Astoria also is succumbing to the cutes in some ways - some of the formerly working waterfront has become T-shirt shop area - but what can you do? All in all it isn't so bad yet.

I love the Oregon coast ... <BR>Long Beach (Wa) would be my last choice of a beach. the posters description of a flat dune like expanse is right on.. <BR>It is great for flying kites and maybe riding bikes.(if the head winds are not too brisk) Plus it is not close to any really great places except Lake Quinalt. <BR>Cannon Beach OR. would be my choice.Beautiful beach with "haystack" rocks and quaint shops. It is a little touristy but it still has charm. <BR>Day trip to Astoria would be interesting-Ft. Stevens has self-tour history stuff, Fort Clatsop replica of Lewis and Clark encampment of Oregon Trail fame. <BR>Also Yachats is a small cute quiet town with a charm all its own. However, I have never cared for Seaside. they have done some rebuilding but it is still in the "funky" catagory. At one time it was the site of the Miss Oregon pagaent and was really a family beach town.. <BR>If you decide on Cannon Beach get your reservations soon as it fills up fast.. <BR>How I envy your trip... <BR>