Long Beach

In downtown Long Beach [1], Cottage Bakery (118 S. Pacific Ave., 360/642-4441, 4 a.m.–6 p.m. daily) has cabinets filled with sticky-sweet old-fashioned pastries. It’s a favorite place for a coffee and dessert while watching the people stroll by.

Dooger’s Seafood & Grill (900 Pacific Ave. S, Long Beach, 360/642-4224, daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.) is a bit formulaic, but it is one of the best seafood restaurants in town, with brags about its sourdough bowls full of homemade clam chowder, fish and chips, pan fried oysters, and salads with fresh bay shrimp.

The kiddies will appreciate the pirate-themed Castaways Seafood Grill (208 Pacific Ave S, 360/642-4745, www.castawaysseafoodgrille.com [2]), a lively seafood eatery with loads of golden-fried fishies, plus burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

Corral Drive-In (2506 Pacific Ave N, 360/642-2774, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sat.–Sun.) is another very family-friendly joint. This place is known ’round Washington as the home of the pie-tin sized Tsunami burger—a beast of a sandwich that can literally feed six people. Get the napkins ready, because it sure is messy!

For beef Philly-style, saunter over to Surfer Sands (1113 Pacific Ave S, Long Beach, 360/642-7873, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.–Thurs., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Fri.), a roadside stand that specializes in ooey-gooey cheese steaks. Summer brings variable extended hours—call ahead.