What A Long Beach Peninsula Getaway Is Like Outside Of Summer

Long Beach, Washington, is famous for its summer pastimes: strolling the boardwalk with an ice cream cone, digging razor clams out of the mire, and cruising down a stretch of drivable beach. The Northwestern temperatures rarely exceed the mid-60s, even in the height of summer. This might be the ideal getaway for vacationers who prefer a mild climate. 

But what happens when colder weather descends on the Evergreen Coast? Do the towns lock their doors and put up "closed" signs the moment the leaves change color? Or are there still things to do on this popular peninsula in the southwestern corner of Washington State? Standing almost equidistant between Portland (about 2 hours away by car) and Tacoma (2.5 hours), Long Beach is a tempting escape, but only if there are still activities and lodging available. If Long Beach doesn't qualify as one of the top 5 Pacific Northwest destinations for a winter weekend getaway, should you just wait until next June?

Actually, a lot of Long Beach businesses operate throughout the year, and for many travelers, the cooler seasons are actually a better time to visit. Lodging is generally less expensive, the crowds thin out, and guests can enjoy quieter walks along the landscape. Even if you're quite familiar with Long Beach in the summer, it may feel entirely different the rest of the year.

The truth is that Long Beach is a seasonal place, and the tone is very different in the off-season. "It's definitely a slow time to visit, and if you are wanting to dine out or get takeaway your options will be limited," wrote a user on Tripadvisor. "But we've enjoyed Long Beach in December (and January) for week long stays. I like it when it's stormy and hardly anyone [is] around. We stay in a condo or an AirBnB so we aren't reliant on restaurants." This is sound advice; preparing for weather is always one of the unwritten rules you should know before visiting the Pacific Northwest.

The fog-garlanded evergreen forests harbor a powerful atmosphere, and many visitors may enjoy the contemplative quiet. The beach is always open, and the long period between Labor Day and mid-April is when drivers are allowed to take their vehicles over its entire length. As long as they follow the rules of the road, avoid sand dunes, and stay under 25 miles per hour, motorists with four-wheel-drive can enjoy the freedom of a wide-open coastal highway. Spectacular scenery, like the cliffs of Cape Disappointment, is accessible year-round, and the off-season is a great time to take landscape photographs.

"Winter is when the Evergreen Coast reveals its most authentic self," writes blogger Casi Gerig. "Locals embrace the season's rhythm, and visitors are invited into that slower, more meaningful way of life. Conversations stretch a little longer. Moments feel a little deeper. The magic of the coast becomes personal."

There are practical reasons to visit this time of year as well: Hotel vacancies are more abundant in the colder months, and a good number of restaurants remain open through the winter. You can check out local institutions like the Western-style Marsh's Free Museum, a quirky folklore exhibition that opened in 1921 and doubles as an antique shop. There's also the World Kite Museum, which has celebrated these airborne ornaments for three decades, in addition to selling them. Both institutions are open every month (check for modified hours). Plus, you may enjoy just strolling around the shore, thanks to Long Beach's picturesque boardwalk and gorgeous beach.

Some visitors may be surprised that Long Beach is pretty mild in the winter, as the area receives about one inch of snow in a typical year. If you're sick of scraping your windshield or digging out your tires, Long Beach is a relieving choice. In the same way that summers almost never get blazing hot, winter temperatures are almost never very cold, and it's common for the mercury to climb to the high 40s in January. Our recommendation? Wait for a not-rainy day, drive out to the middle of the beach, and let that kite fly.