Long Beach, WA

Long Beach is a laid-back coastal town of about 1,800 residents on southwestern Washington's Long Beach Peninsula. Life here revolves around the wide, sandy coastline that stretches for 28 miles along the Pacific Ocean. Downtown has a colorful, nostalgic feel, filled with local diners, a scenic oceanfront boardwalk, and longstanding community traditions like the annual Razor Clam Festival.

ATTRWalter Siegmund (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0

Families are served by the Ocean Beach School District, and most daily errands run right through town along Pacific Avenue. While you can easily grab groceries and essentials locally, residents often make the 30-minute drive across the bridge to Astoria, Oregon, for larger shopping trips and specialized medical care. It is a peaceful, close-knit community where ocean breezes, fresh seafood, and a relaxed seaside rhythm define everyday living.