From the azure lagoons of the South Pacific, to shores of Waikiki Beach, to the Caribbean islands of the Atlantic Ocean, beaches have long been a favorite destination for family vacations and romantic getaways.    

Though not really known for its beaches, Washington State is not without its own stunning coastlines, rocky coves, and white sand beaches. 

Hundreds of miles of Washington beaches include prime whale-watching sites, clamming, islands with mountain views, pebble beaches, rocky coves, trails, tidal pools, storm watching venues, rock formations, and the last of the wilderness beaches in the contiguous United States.  

Below is a list of some of the better known beaches in the state.

Kalaloch & Olympic Park Beaches, Forks

www.experiencewa.com

The Olympic Park beaches consist of about 100 miles of Pacific shoreline beaches.  The northern part of this long stretch of beaches includes more than 60 miles of the last wilderness beaches in the contiguous United States.  To the south, the byway parallels the beaches of Kalaloch where you can climb rocky cliffs, view the tide pools and creeks. 

Twin Harbors Beach State Park, Grayland

www.stateparks.com/twin_harbors_beach.html

This 172-acre park located on the Pacific coast is about four miles south of Westhaven.  Beachcombers can visit the beach and enjoy kite flying, and surf fishing, and see animals ranging from chipmunks, deer, elk, raccoons, to crabs, seals, squid, starfish, whales and more.  Water activities include diving, fishing, and clamming.

San Juan Island Beaches, Friday Harbor

www.travelsanjuan.com

If you are looking for a romantic place to go with your sweetheart, try the beaches of the San Juan Islands.  Comprised of four major islands, San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw, these islands can be reached by a scenic cruise on a ferry.  Below are some of the most popular beaches: 

South Beach looks across the Strait of Juan De Fuca toward the Olympic mountains. 

Fourth of July Beach offers access to Griffin Bay and is a great location for watching eagles.

Eagle Cove is located on an island that contains pebble beaches that offer places to tan, ride a skim board, or play with your children. 

Jackson Beach offers a fire pit, volleyball and a place to launch kayaks.

Located nine miles West of Friday Harbor, Lime Kiln State Park is the only park in the country dedicated to whale watching.  The whales pass close by the shoreline once or twice each day.  This is also a great place to watch porpoises, seals, eagles, otters and shorebirds.

Ocean Shores Beach, Ocean Shores

www.oceanshores.org

Located on the shores of Washington State's premier oceanfront city, Ocean Shores has six miles of sandy beaches and is the most popular beach in the state of Washington.  The highest tides of the year occur in July and December.  This beach is also a well-known winter storm watching site. 

Cape Flattery

www.experiencewa.com/scenic-byways/cape-flattery.aspx

The northernmost point in the United States, Cape Flattery is located on the Makah Indian Reservation.  Sightseers who visit this area may see otters, sea lions, seals and whales.  

Rialto Beach, Port Angeles

www.portangeles-wa.worldweb.com

Visitors to Rialto Beach can check out tidal pools and rock formations.  The beach continues for miles.  Rialto Beach is one of the easiest beaches to get to, and you can drive right down to the beach.  Rialto Beach is an entry point for 55 miles of wilderness coastline protected by Olympic National Park. 

Long Beach, in Long Beach

www.longbeachwa.gov/

Long Beach consists of more than 20 miles of sandy beach.  You can walk along the trail to view the sunset.  This beach is very dog-friendly and offers doggie Olympics Games that include a Frisbee Throw, Brush Shedding, Peanut Butter Lick, and the Pavarotti Sing-off.

Also check out: www.pacific101.com/washington/wabeaches.htm.