Steve Millburg
Steve Millburg
along beach festival finger games kite miles named ocean pacific parallels pathway stands state washington water
The aptly named Long Beach Peninsula, 28 miles of sand, stretches like a beckoning finger along the Pacific Ocean at Washington's southwest corner. You won't find games or taffy stands on the Long Beach Boardwalk, just interpretive displays about the dunes, water and wildlife. But this low-key planked pathway parallels the beach, where kite fliers congregate year-round; the Washington State International Kite Festival is Aug. 15-21.
atlantic belly coast concrete free guard heritage miles museums ocean past path present runs shops small spirit stages station street summer three
A boardwalk in spirit if not in composition it's concrete this path runs 3 miles past beachfront hotels, restaurants, stores, museums, bike-rental shops and street performers. Three stages present free summer entertainment, and two small museums belly up to the boardwalk: the Atlantic Waterfowl Heritage Museum (decoys) and The Old Coast Guard Station with nifty 'tower cam' ocean views.