It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are upon us, and it’s time to be merry and bright. One of our favorite things about our coastal towns is that you can enjoy the classic holiday traditions with a little twist. Join us as we show you how special it is to celebrate the SEA-son in Pacific County.
See the Celebration of Lights
One of the most magical ways to celebrate the SEA-son is to take in the lights. Seeing the twinkles and the glows sends the seasonal spirit into your soul. We’re the kind of place that keeps the proverbial lights on all year round, and we’re not just talking about our stunning lighthouses.
Our coastal skies are magnificent in the mornings with their beautiful blush. Our sunsets are spectacular with their final fiery breaths. When our moody clouds roll in, the glow of our cozy pubs and cafes are beacons of warmth. And when the dark skies are upon us, millions of stars glitter in the black velvet of the night. Add in the sprinkle of the twinkle in our small-town streets, and you’ll be in the festive mood. From our annual Crab Pot Christmas Tree to the gingerbread oceanside homes of our neighborhoods, our towns sparkle during the holidays.
Find the Perfect Tree
If you’re looking for the perfect tree to celebrate the SEA-son during your holiday at the beach, we’ve got you covered. Our seven state parks and five wildlife/conservation areas have thousands of trees waiting for you! True, they’re not suitable for cutting down and taking home. But Mother Nature has taken care of all the decorating.
Image Courtesy of: Adam Sawyer
Walk on the Teal Slough Trail and marvel at the massive old-growth cedar grove. Or look for Western Hemlock, Washington’s state tree, scattered across the peninsula. We have plenty of spruce, alder, and fir for you to pine over.
Hear the Calling Birds
Image Courtesy of: Jace Walker Stenersen
From turkeys to turtledoves to a partridge in a pear tree, our feathered friends make many appearances during this time of year. In Pacific County, we love to celebrate the SEA-son with the hundreds of birds that call our area home. We are known as a birding hot spot with ideal habitats, feeding grounds, and migration paths. Visit the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and use their handy checklist to see how many birds you can spot. Walk on the Discovery Trail and see if you can spy a few eagle’s nests. Look for waterfowl and shorebirds at the Tokeland Marina and Bay Center. Our shorelines make the perfect holiday nesting ground.
Doe a Deer
Our local deer aren’t guiding any sleighs, but they love to stroll around town. You’ll see their families grazing in gardens, roaming the forests, and taking an occasional sunbath. It is not unusual for them to munch in the meadows as you stroll past.
Feel free to capture photos of these beautiful animals as they also celebrate the SEA-son on our shoreline. As with all wildlife, keep a respectful distance and snap pictures from afar.
A Side of Cranberries
What holiday celebration is complete without cranberries? Did you know that we’re unofficially called the Cranberry Coast? The nation’s favorite holiday berry is a staple in Pacific County. Since 1880, our region has grown these tart, ruby treats in bogs across Long Beach and Grayland. 3% of the nation’s cranberries come from our state. We celebrate the SEA-son with them so much that we even have a cranberry museum. Take a self-guided tour over the bogs, snack on cranberry ice cream, and shop for cranberry wine, soap, and skincare.
SEA-sonal Gifts
When you celebrate the SEA-son in Pacific County, you’ll unwrap some magical gifts. But we’re not talking about anything for the toybox. Instead, we’re unwrapping treats from the sea.
With some of the richest estuaries and shorelines in the nation, our waters are overflowing with treasures. Pop open our world-famous oysters. Crack into mussels, clams, and crabs. Uncover seasonal razor clams buried under the sand. We celebrate the ocean’s bounty in our local restaurants, seafood markets, and taverns. Unwrapping our gifts from our sea is the best present you can ask for!
Don’t Forget the Sweets
You can’t celebrate the SEA-son without cookies, pies, and cakes! Luckily, we’ve got some of the best bakers outside the North Pole.
Dylans Cottage Bakery has been serving sweet treats since 1908. Stock up on their decorated sugar cookies, famous cinnamon rolls, and dreamy pumpkin mousse-filled Bismarck donuts. Sadie and Josie’s Bakery features creamy Cranberry Walnut Cheesecakes, pecan pies, and heavenly Shortnin’ Bread cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth. Long Beach Pie Lady knows just how to tickle your fancy. Her Dutch Caramel Apple pie, Pumpkin Bread, and the dreamiest fritters you’ve ever tasted await your holiday table. And Willapa Baking Company delivers their wholesale baked goods all over the region. Find their Apple-Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Cranberry-White-Chocolate and Butterscotch scones, and Cardamom Buns in coffee shops and markets during your drives around town.
We Put the Sea in SEA-son
Image Courtesy of: Sharon Law
And how can you experience the season without the SEA? With 28 miles of beaches, coastal inlets, and glorious white-capped waves, we celebrate the SEA-son all year long.
When you spend your holidays at the beach in Pacific County, there’s a little more magic in the experience. Join us and create your next traditions with a twist.
Feature Image Courtesy of: Aaron Webster
By: Danelle Dodds
Danelle is an international traveler, road tripper, writer, and artist. She firmly believes in testing the limits of word count, mileage, and AYCE sushi.