Ocean City combines access to a sandy Pacific beach with the history of a coastal settlement. During and after the Great Depression of the 1930s, the unincorporated area attracted people seeking a simple life away from city life. Beach access points and local history reveal two different sides of the destination.

Copalis Beach and Beach Access

Copalis Beach stretches from the northern jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor to the Copalis River. Another geographic description concerns the coastline between Ocean Shores and Ocean City: it is about seven miles long. These descriptions have different reference points: the first describes the extent of the named beach, while the second refers to a stretch of coastline between two places.

2nd Street in Ocean City is a public, maintained access point to Copalis Beach. Erosion or flooding can affect access points, so check conditions before you arrive. Ocean City Ocean Beach Access provides access to a sandy Pacific beach and has parking.

Nesting Areas and Seasonal Use

Snowy plover nests are nearly invisible. This is especially true in the area north of Second Avenue in Ocean City, extending to the northern end of Copalis Beach and the northern end of Long Beach. Nesting sites and regulations may vary by season; follow current advisories when visiting the beach.

The razor clam fishery at Copalis Beach also includes Ocean City. Razor clam harvesting is subject to current seasonal and health-related approvals; check these in advance if you plan to take part. The advisories address different planning questions: nesting sites may vary in location and regulations, while harvesting is subject to seasonal and health-related approvals.

The History of the Area

Ocean City, an unincorporated area, lies north of Ocean City State Park. During and after the Great Depression of the 1930s, the area attracted people seeking a simple life away from city life. Many residents built homes from wood and other materials salvaged from ocean beaches. Most made their living from readily available fish and shellfish. Taken together, these details connect the desire for a simple life with the practical realities of everyday life: building methods and livelihoods are part of the area's history, as is the search for a place away from city life.

Ocean City as a Travel Destination

When looking for a hotel in Ocean City, you can choose your focus accordingly: beach access points and current seasonal advisories help with beach planning, while the settlement's history offers a historical perspective on the area. In this way, details about the coast and the area address different questions and offer different ways to understand Ocean City as a travel destination.

Discover more destinations: Grayland, Westport, Hoquiam, Cohassett Beach, Montesano, Copalis Beach, Aberdeen, Elma

For the broader travel overview: Grays Harbor County.