With stands of towering rainforest, expansive beaches strewn with colossal driftwood, pounding surf, and vivid sunsets, Pacific Rim National Park – in which Long Beach sits idyllically – is an Emily Carr painting come to life.

Early spring brings the annual Gray Whale migration and festival. As the weather warms, wander endless beaches and splash in waves rolling in from the open Pacific. Winter storms are as humbling as they are ferocious.