Travel + Leisure just named a Washington coastline “an overlooked coastal gem”—and it’s within driving distance from Seattle. It has a rain forest, six state parks, and the longest drivable beach in the U.S. We’re talking about the Long Beach Peninsula, which stretches out from mainland Washington. It is located 3.5 hours from Seattle, making it the perfect coastal weekend getaway.
Read on for a quick recap of why T+L thinks Long Beach Peninsula is worth the visit!
The longest beach in the U.S.
Stretching an incredible 28 miles, this is the longest beach in the U.S.—and yes, you can even drive on it. Along the way, you’ll find everything from quiet sandy expanses perfect for beachcombing to boardwalks floating above the dunes. Prefer wheels? There are paved biking and walking paths. Feeling adventurous? Surf spots and dramatic rocky cliffs are waiting for you, too.
A seafood paradise
The peninsula’s waters are a treasure chest of fresh seafood. Its razor clam grounds are among the Pacific Northwest’s best, and Willapa Bay—responsible for 25% of the nation’s oysters—is a hub for oystering, crabbing, and fishing. Want to get closer to the action? Visitors can tour cranberry bogs or even shuck oysters with third-generation farmers. Fall travelers can enjoy the October cranberry harvest festivals and the Cranberry Museum in Long Beach.
Stunning state parks
This narrow stretch of coast is home to six state parks, but the standout is Cape Disappointment State Park at the peninsula’s southern tip. Here, old-growth forests frame sandy beaches, working lighthouses, and sweeping ocean overlooks. One of the most photogenic spots—Dead Man’s Cove—is just a short trek off the Cape Disappointment Trail. Nearby, the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge preserves 21,000 acres of tidelands and temperate rainforest, offering a rare glimpse of what the Pacific Northwest looked like a century ago.
The “Kite Capital of the U.S.”
Although the coastline is gorgeous year-round, there’s a well-known summer event that you may want to plan ahead for in 2026. Come August, coastal winds take center stage during the Washington State International Kite Festival, one of North America’s largest and longest-running. It’s no wonder Long Beach has earned the nickname “the kite capital of the U.S.”