We are lucky to live in a state with so many incredible beaches, whether you have surfing, fishing or relaxing on the agenda. Check out five of the best beaches in Washington.
Walking and biking paradise: Seabrook Beach
Seabrook
The coastal town of Seabrook is located in Pacific Beach close to Olympic National Park. Seabrook sits on a scenic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This thoughtfully-built town was founded on new urbanism design. Seabrook is a walking and biking paradise and was designed with a “walk to anything in five minutes” principle in mind. In addition to promenades and walking trails, you’ll find a central amphitheater, a hilltop and oceanfront park, several restaurants, a wine bar, outdoor games and playgrounds, a Town Hall, fire pits, horseshoe pits, a heated indoor pool and the spacious Crescent Park. You can also enjoy cold-weather surfing at Seabrook Beach. For more information, visit www.seabrookwa.com.
Top-notch hiking: Rosario Beach
Fidalgo Island
Rosario Beach is located at the well-known Deception Pass State Park in Puget Sound. Rosario Beach spans the northern and less crowded Fidalgo Island, and offers great hiking and tide pools to explore. You’ll find wide beaches trimmed with driftwood, picnic areas set among old-growth trees and wildflower meadows, and a story pole carving of Kwuh-kwal-uhl-wut, the Maiden of Deception Pass who was a legend of the Samish, a Coast Salish Native American tribe and the first humans at Rosario beach. Rosario Beach is great for spotting porpoises, orcas and the occasional gray whale, making it one of the best beaches in Washington. For more information, visit www.outdoorproject.com.
Longest contiguous beach in the US: Long Beach Peninsula
Seaview
The Long Beach Peninsula in beautiful Pacific County is located in the very southwest corner of Washington state. It’s the longest contiguous beach in the United States at 28 miles, and includes many beautiful stops along the stretch like Cape Disappointment State Park. The peninsula offers a wide range of outdoor activities to visitors including biking, skating, sunbathing and razor clamming, making it an incredible summer destination and one of the best beaches in Washington. During the Washington State International Kite Festival (taking place August 21 to August 27, 2023), you’ll see some of the most colorful skies on the coast! Welcoming small towns nearby offer unique shops, art galleries, a range of restaurants and affordable lodging. For more information, visit www.visitlongbeachpeninsula.com.
Charming town with fishing history: Semiahmoo Park
Blaine
The small town of Blaine is located in the very northwest corner of the US and is only 30 minutes from the Canada border. This charming town is filled with fishing history and currently hosts an abundance of parks, local shops and iconic PNW rocky beaches. Enjoy downtown shopping, exceptional parks and robust walking and biking trails. At Semiahmoo Park, you are very likely to see wildlife and look across the water to see White Rock, British Columbia. Semiahmoo Resort sits on 300 acres of picturesque seashore and is a one-of-a-kind resort that offers multiple on-site dining options, a spa and health center, a golf course, and much more. For more information, visit www.blainebythesea.com.
Most dog-friendly beach: Westhaven State Park
Westport
Westport is the No. 1 surfing location in the Pacific Northwest, and people travel from all over to enjoy the surfing at Westhaven State Park. Sport fishing for salmon, halibut, albacore tuna and ling cod is also popular, as well as birdwatching. Westhaven State Park was named the “dog-friendliest beach” in the state. Bask in the sunlight while flying kites, building sand castles and exploring the sand dunes at one of the best beaches in Washington. For more information, visit www.parks.wa.gov.