As the year winds down and the scent of pine mingles with sea salt in the air, there’s a kind of magic that drifts along Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula. The coast transforms into a winter wonderland of glistening surf and cozy retreats. At the Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort, where the Pacific’s rhythm plays against the backdrop of misty dunes, the holidays feel both timeless and new, like the twinkle of a familiar melody played under a sky full of stars.

The Stars Are Twinkling; So Are the Lights

Something is mesmerizing about the way the holidays sparkle along the shore. Just as strings of lights trace rooftops and evergreens inland, the night sky above Long Beach glitters with celestial cheer. Guests of the Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort can step outside their suites at dusk to watch the constellations shimmer over the waves. The views from our backyard dunes are breathtaking. Each star flickers like a holiday bulb hung across the heavens. It’s a reminder that no matter where you celebrate, light finds its way through the dark. And here, that glow is magnified by the gentle reflection of moonlight on the Pacific.

This natural spectacle sets the tone for your festive oceanfront getaway, where even the simplest moments – a moonlit walk on the sand, a warm drink in hand – glow with wonder.

Forest Gatherings and Coastal Cheer

While many families gather around a tree at home, on the Long Beach Peninsula, the trees themselves become the celebration. Towering evergreens sway in Cape Disappointment State Park, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, and the many forested trails nearby. The scent of fir and cedar perfumes the crisp coastal air, mingling with the sea breeze in a way no candle could ever replicate.

From the Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort, it’s an easy drive to these natural playgrounds, where hiking trails lead to hidden lookouts, secret beaches, and old-growth forests draped in moss that feel as festive as garland. Each path invites connection between family, between friends, and between the wilderness and the warmth of the holidays.

This is the heart of a festive oceanfront getaway: gathering, exploring, and finding joy not just in what’s wrapped beneath a tree, but in what surrounds you.

Sweet Treats and Sugarplum Dreams

Holiday cheer often begins in the kitchen, and on the Long Beach Peninsula, it spills out into the bakeries and cafés that line our small towns. Instead of sugarplums, think marionberry scones, shortbread cookies dusted with powdered sugar, or steaming cups of cocoa rich enough to make you linger.

Downtown Long Beach is less than ten minutes from our resort, and its quaint streets are chock-full of charming bakeries. A stop at one of these sweet spots is essential during your festive oceanfront getaway. Indulgent sweet treats pair perfectly with a blustery beach stroll or a morning spent watching waves from your private balcony.

Wrapped Treasures from the Sea

The holidays are about giving, and on this stretch of coast, the ocean itself offers up its own version of wrapped gifts. Oysters, clams, and crabs—each one encased in a shell like a tide-washed package waiting to be unwrapped. Local seafood shacks and markets brim with flavor, serving up plates that sparkle with the freshness of the season.

Dining along the Peninsula is an experience of gratitude. Whether you’re savoring local Willapa Bay oysters or tucking into a steaming bowl of clam chowder, every bite feels like part of the coastal celebration. Sharing these flavors with loved ones transforms a meal into a culinary centerpiece of your festive oceanfront getaway.

Shopping Small, Gifting Big

You’ll have plenty of places to shop during your festive oceanfront getaway. Jump into the car and take a short ride from our resort to dozens of local shops. Holiday shopping takes on new meaning here, where every gift tells a story. Instead of crowded malls, you’ll find boutique galleries, artisan studios, and locally owned shops filled with one-of-a-kind treasures. From handmade pottery and coastal art to sea glass jewelry and gourmet local jams, our coastal region makes it easy to give gifts that feel personal and inspired.

Spend an afternoon strolling through downtown Long Beach or the historic port of Ilwaco, where twinkling shop windows glow like ornaments and friendly shopkeepers greet you by name. Supporting these small businesses adds another layer of warmth to your festive oceanfront getaway.

Fireside Moments and Family Time

After a day exploring, shopping, and savoring, there’s no place better to settle in than beside a cozy fire. At Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort, many suites feature gas fireplaces that flicker to life at the push of a button. Curl up with a glass of wine or a mug of cider as the wind hums outside and let the room fill with the golden warmth of the season.

Families gather for movie nights or board games in our suite’s spacious living rooms, while couples sink into plush armchairs to watch the firelight dance. It’s a scene both nostalgic and new—holiday comfort reimagined by the sea. Here, connection is the absolute luxury, and slowing down is the greatest gift.

Where the Holidays Shine Brightest

There’s a rhythm to the holidays that feels perfectly at home at the Lighthouse Oceanfront Resort. The ebb and flow of tides echo the cycle of gathering and giving, of celebrating and resting. A festive oceanfront getaway here isn’t just about a change in scenery—it’s about rediscovering the wonder of the season. It’s in the glow of the fireplace, the taste of a buttery pastry, the laughter that carries over the surf, and the stars that glimmer like strands of light across the night sky.

This year, let your holiday story unfold by the sea. Come for the peace, stay for the sparkle, and leave with memories wrapped in salt air and starlight.