What's the weather like?

What is the population?

What kind of industry and jobs are prevalent?

Do you have medical & emergency facilities?

What about radio, tv, newspapers, and internet?

How do I find out about the schools?

How do I get my phone / water / sewer / electrical / gas turned on?

How do I get my boating, hunting, auto and driver's licenses?

Where do I register to vote?

How do I find a home to rent or purchase?

What's available in terms of Culture and Recreation?

How do I find a church?

Can you help me find a 12-Step Meeting?

Are there many clubs and groups I can join?

What services and activities are available for seniors?

Where are you and how do I get there?

What companies offer mail delivery?

Do you folks recycle? And what about the rest of my garbage?

Can I get a packet of relocation material?

Do you have the phone numbers for Police, Sheriff, Fire, Port & School Districts?

More Information: Pacific County EDC Demographics page

What is the population?
The population of Pacific County is on the rise with approximately 21,500 year-round residents spread throughout small and diverse cities and towns including Chinook, Grayland, Ilwaco, Long Beach, Menlo, Nahcotta, Naselle, Ocean Park, Oysterville, Raymond, Seaview, South Bend and Tokeland.

The population of the Long Beach Peninsula swells with visitors during the busy summer months. Vacation homes, motels, RV parks, bed and breakfasts and cottages all fill with lovers of sand and surf, nearly tripling the resident population.

More Information: Pacific County EDC Demographics page

What kind of industry and jobs are prevalent?
Pacific County's economy is an aqua/agriculture industrial base. The major industrial firms are Weyerhaeuser Co., Pacific Hardwoods, Coast Oyster Co., Willapa Logging Co., Nisbet Oyster Co., Dun-Pak Inc., Vanson Company, Dungeness Development Associationand Nelson Crab.

On the Long Beach Peninsula, in Southern Pacific County, in addition to strong fishing, crabbing, oyster and cranberry harvesting, tourism plays a major role in the local economy.

For classified ads with current job listings, we recommend checking our local newspapers.

Do you have medical & emergency facilities?
Yes! Pacific County is home to two hospitals, Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco and Willapa Harbor Hospital in South Bend. Multiple clinic locations offer the services of six doctors and several specialists with limited local practice. Seven dentists practice within the city limits of Long Beach, Raymond and Ocean Park. In addition, you will find numerous chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapy facilities. Three nursing home and/or retirement facilities are available, with a total bed capacity of more than 240. Ambulance service is available and you will find eight pharmacies throughout the area.

Pacific County Fire District #1 – While visiting South Pacific County, you can relax knowing you are protected by the firefighters and emergency medical responders from Fire District 1.  With over sixty members in our combination paid and volunteer department, the District responds to over 2500 emergency calls each year from eight stations strategically located throughout the peninsula.  For more information and response areas, them online, or call Station 21-1 at (360) 665-4451.

The Cities of Ilwaco and Long Beach, as well as the town of Chinook, are served by Medix Ambulance Service and the volunteer fire departments of Ilwaco and Long Beach.

Please also read our page on Beach Safety.

What about radio, tv, newspapers, and internet?

Radio stations include KSWW-FM in Raymond (360-942-5533), KCYS-98FM in Astoria (503-717-9643) and KMUN-91.9AM, public radio in Astoria (503-325-0010).

Television For cable service in south Pacific County, including the Long Beach Peninsula, contact Charter Communications (1-866-731-5420). In north Pacific County, contact AT&T Cablevision (1-800-562-3450)

Newspapers: Three weekly publications bring local news to the residents of Pacific County. The Chinook Observer, (360-642-8181) focuses on the Long Beach Peninsula region while Raymond's Willapa Harbor Herald (360-942-3466) and South Bend's Pacific County Press (360-875-6805) focus on north county. If a daily newspaper is more your speed, try Astoria's Daily Astorian (503-325-3211) Longview's Daily News (360-577-2516), Aberdeen's Daily World (360-532-4000), Seattle's PI/Times (206-448-8000) or Portland's Oregonian (503-221-8100).

Internet service (including broadband DSL for many and fiber optic in limited areas) is provided county-wide. Internet providers in Pacific County include CenturyTel Communications, ReachOne Communications, Infinity Internet, Techline and CresComm Services.

How do I find out about the schools?
There are six school districts in the county: Raymond, South Bend, Willapa Valley, Naselle (360-484-7121), North River, and Ocean Beach, which serves the Long Beach Peninsula and Chinook (360-642-3739). Tokeland is served by Ocosta in Grays Harbor County.

Grays Harbor College offers transfer credit courses, vocational and training programs, and a variety of enrichment programs during the year in both north and south Pacific County. Check out their new campus in Ilwaco! Washington State University offers extended university services via satellite. Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon, offers resident status to Pacific County students.

More Information: Pacific County EDC Demographics page

How do I get my phone / water / sewer / electrical / gas turned on?
Telephone services are provided by Century Tel Communications and Western Wahkiakum County Telephone Company.

Water is supplied by municipal systems in Ilwaco, Long Beach, Raymond, South Bend and Willapa Valley. Private companies or private wells serve the remaining areas.

Sewer hookup is available in Raymond, Seaview, South Bend, Long Beach and Ilwaco. All other areas have private septic systems.

Electrical service is provided county-wide by Public Utility District #2 of Pacific County (360-942-2411). Customer rate schedules include residential, commercial, industrial, irrigation and lighting.

Propane is available at retail locations throughout the county as well as via delivery service.

How do I get my boating, hunting, auto and driver's licenses?
As soon as you establish residency, you must obtain a Washington driver's license. A written examination is required for new residents. Drivers Licences may be obtained at the Department of Licencing offices in Ilwaco (360-642-8776), Aberdeen (360-533-9329) and South Bend (360-875-5385).

Vehicle inspections and license plates may be obtained through the Pacific County Auditor in Long Beach (360-642-9312) and South Bend (360-875-9310).

Hunting, Fishing & Clamming licenses can be obtained at most sporting good stores or through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Department Licensing office (360-902-2200).

Where do I register to vote?
You can register to vote by filling out a voter registration form. Forms are available when you renew or apply for your driver's license, as well as at school, library and other government offices (or call 1-800-448-4881, or TTY 1-800-422-8683). There is no requirement for length of residency, but you must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, mentally sound and not under conviction of a felony to vote. You must register 30 days prior to the election in which you wish to vote.

Three community libraries on the Peninsula are part of the Timberland Regional Library Service: Ocean Park (360-665-4184), Ilwaco (360-642-3908) and Naselle (360-484-3877).

How do I find a home to rent or purchase?
Real Estate offices for the Long Beach Peninsula are listed in the Community Services section of our site, and homes for sale and rent can be found in the classifieds of local newspapers.

Renting a house or apartment can be very easy or quite a challenge, depending on the time of year. During the peak summer season (roughly mid-June through October), long term rentals can be difficult to find. Vacation rental homes can be a short term alternative during this busy season. The best time to rent in the area, if you have a choice, is during the winter and early spring months.

What's available in terms of Culture and Recreation?

Interpretive Centers: Fort Columbia (Chinook), Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center (Ilwaco), Cape Disappointment (formerly Fort Canby, Ilwaco), Willapa Bay / Shellfish Interpretive Center (Nahcotta), Cranberry Research Centers (Long Beach & Grayland)

Museums: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum (aka Ilwaco Heritage Museum) (Ilwaco), Pacific County Museum (South Bend), Willapa Seaport Museum (Raymond), World Kite Museum (Long Beach), Cranberry Museum (Long Beach)

National Historic Sites: Shelburne Inn (Seaview), Pacific County Courthouse (South Bend), Tokeland Hotel (Tokeland), and historic homes in Seaview, Oysterville, Ocean Park and South Bend.

Timberland Regional Libraries: Ocean Park (360-665-4184), Ilwaco (360-642-3908), Naselle (360-484-3877), Raymond and South Bend.

Performing Arts: Theater groups in Raymond and Ilwaco.

Raymond Theatre: a movie and stage theatre has been restored for community use and is located in downtown Raymond.

Fairs & Festivals: Literally dozens of annual and biannual festivals take place all over Pacific County, including the International Kite Festival, Cranberrian Fair, Oyster Stampede, Willapa Festival, Swiss Schwingfest, Oktoberfest, Finn Fest, Loyalty Days, Annual NPRA Rodeo, Bluegrass Festival, Festival in the Park and the Pacific County Fair. Check the Long Beach Peninsula and Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce calendars for details and current schedules.

Recreation: The Columbia River, Willapa Bay and the Pacific Ocean, as well as many lakes and rivers provide Pacific County with abundant recreational opportunities. With such a beautiful setting available, parks have become abundant in the county. Cape Disappointment State Park, Leadbetter Point State Park, Willapa Wildlife Refuge, Long Island, Bruceport Park, Bush Park, Fort Columbia and many city parks are just a few. America's newest National Park, the Lewis & Clark National and State Historical Park is a bi-state (Oregon-Washington) park right here. Picnicking, beachcombing, camping, kite flying and clam digging join fishing as popular activities. Other facilities include three golf courses, twelve tennis courts and innumerable maintained trails, including the Long Beach Peninsula's Discovery Trail.

How do I find a church?
All principle denominations are represented. Visit our guide to Long Beach Peninsula area churches for more information.

Can you help me find a 12-Step Meeting?
Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Al-Anon, Speaker's Meetings and Spanish-speaking meetings are all available. Visit our Community Calendar for the most current schedule.

Are there many clubs and groups I can join?
Our Community Calendar will show you all the clubs and organizations available locally, as well as their meeting times and how to join. A wide variety of service and leisure groups exist locally, from the traditional to the truly unique.

A number of volunteer opportunities exist locally, including here at the Visitors Bureau.

How about senior services?
In addition to retirement and nursing facilities, as well as a large new senior center at Klipsan Beach on the Long Beach Peninsula, luncheons, pinochle games, arts & crafts activities and trips out of the area are all designed for local seniors. For more information, call the Peninsula Senior Activities Center at (360) 665-3999.

Where are you and how do I get there?
Pacific County is located on the beautiful coast of Southwest Washington. The Columbia River borders the county to the south. Pristine Willapa Bay borders the north and the county's namesake, the Pacific Ocean, lies to the west.

Coast Highway 101 meanders through the county culminating at the Astoria-Megler bridge over the Columbia River. Four highways reach the county from I-5 making it easily accessible. They are State Route 8 from Olympia, #12 from Rochester, #6 from Chehalis and #4 from Longview. Pacific County covers an area of 974.6 square miles. For maps and driving directions, please visit our "How to Get Here" pages.

Commercial airport service is nearby in either Portland or Seattle. Connecting service is available at Hoquiam and Astoria, OR. The Willapa Harbor Airport at Raymond (360-942-3422) has a 3,000-foot runway and fuel, while the Ilwaco Airport (360-642-3143) has a 2,000 foot runway.

Amtrak and Greyhound / Pierce Pacific Stage Bus service are available in Olympia, Centralia and Kelso. Bus riders can ride to Raymond in north county. If the Long Beach Peninsula is your destination, take the bus to Astoria, OR (20 minutes away). Both towns offer bus service through local Pacific Transit to other Pacific County towns. Pacific County's transit system provides extensive service, including a Dial-A-Ride program (360-642-9418).

Do you folks recycle?
Absolutely! Since January of 1992, the use of used oil for dust suppression and weed abatement has been prohibited in Washington State. Since January of 1994, disposal of used oil in a solid waste landfill has been prohibited. Regular waste disposal days are scheduled for toxic substances such as leftover paint. Other items can be recyled regularly at the following locations:

Motor Oil:
Seaview: Seaview Auto Parts 5016 Pacific Hwy
Ocean Park: Klipsan Meadows Auto Repair 218th & Hwy 103
Naselle: Pacific County Shop. Hwy 4 @ Hwy 401
Raymond: Port of Willapa Harbor 1725 Ocean Ave
South Bend: Pacific County Courthouse Annex 1216 W. Robert Bush Drive

Drop Box Locations:
Long Beach: 206 S 12th, Long Beach (360) 642-2541
Ocean Park: Corner of Sandridge & Bay Ave. (360) 642-9356

Other Recycling Centers:
Peninsula Sanitation Service. Open All Hours
Transfer Station at 67th off Sandridge Rd, 8:00-4:30, Monday through Thursday and 10-2 on Saturday (360) 642-2541

Peninsula Church Center.
Newspaper Only
5000 "N" Place, Seaview (360) 642-3115

Royal Heights Recycling Mon-Sat 10-4
Aluminum, scrap metal, cardboard and newspapers accepted
SR 105, Raymond (360) 942-3417

And what about the rest of my garbage?
For residential and commercial trash pickup, the Peninsula Sanitation office, located at 116 Howerton Way SE in Ilwaco (360.642.2541) is open M-F 8 am to 5 pm. Also available are yellow plastic bags for purchase (~$6). These bags are picked up by Peninsula Sanitation and available through their office or the Visitors Bureau office at the intersection of Hwy 101 and Hwy 103.

For residential and commercial trash dumping, the transfer site, at 4404 67th Place (about a mile east of Sandridge Road on 67th) in Long Beach (360.642-4389) is open M-F 8:30 to 4:30 and Sat 10am - 2pm.

The household hazardous facility on North 2nd in Long Beach (4 blocks east of downtown) is open every Friday 9am - 2pm (360.642.9400). Pacific County sponsors a free white goods (white appliances) disposal the 4th Saturday of September each year.

Can I get a packet of relocation material?
Sure. Just send us an email with your name and address, and then please drop a check in the mail to us for $3.00 to cover the cost of mailing.
Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau
PO Box 562, Long Beach, WA 98631