Ocean Park offers an important beach access point at the northern end of the Long Beach Peninsula. Pacific Pines State Park provides public access to the 27-mile-long Pacific beach on the Long Beach Peninsula. In the Ocean Park area, you can drive along the beaches to the water’s edge at low tide. For planning purposes, keep two things distinct: public access to the long Pacific beach and driving to the water, which is tide-dependent. When driving, also observe local rules and beach safety notices.
Beach, Tides, and Coastal Forest
Leadbetter Point State Park is in Ocean Park and is a day-use park with protected coastal forest habitat. This offers a different focus from the Pacific beach: the protected forest habitat takes center stage here. Seasonal conditions can change, so check current notices before visiting.
A shipwreck is also visible at very low water levels.
Local History and Coastal Culture
Ocean Park’s local history begins in 1883 with a Methodist camp. The beginnings of the Northwest Garlic Festival date to 1982—a later milestone in the history of local festivals.
The Wreckage is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Ocean Park. It is historically significant to the community and the peninsula as a unique example of Long Beach resort architecture.
The Willapa Bay Interpretive Center is housed in a replica of an oyster farmer’s home. It offers insight into the history of the oyster industry in Willapa Bay. Its focus differs from that of The Wreckage: here, the subject is the oyster industry; there, it is resort architecture.
The Ocean Park Walking Tour offers a self-guided look at remnants of the community’s past. If you would like to use the printed brochure, check its availability in advance. The historical topics are clearly distinct: resort architecture, the Willapa Bay oyster industry, and a broader look at the community’s past.
Golf as Another Focus
Surfside Golf Course is a public golf course at the northern end of the Long Beach Peninsula. It has a driving range and club rentals; electric carts and pull carts are available to rent. These are practical differences to consider when deciding whether golf should be a focus of your trip: the driving range adds a practice option, while clubs and carts are rental options.
Ocean Park offers a range of themes to consider when planning your trip: beach access with a specifically tide-dependent option for driving to the water, a protected coastal forest, different ways to explore local history, and a public golf course. Which of these you focus on depends on whether you are most interested in the coast, nature, history, or golf.
Discover more destinations: Seaview, Long Beach, Ilwaco, Tokeland
For the broader travel overview: Pacific County.
