Pacific Beach State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pacific Beach State Park is a beautiful coastal park located in the state of Washington.


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Summary

This state park is a popular destination for visitors who enjoy camping, hiking, and beach activities. The park features over 2,000 feet of shoreline, and visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Some good reasons to visit Pacific Beach State Park include the beautiful scenery, the opportunity to camp in a peaceful and secluded environment, and the abundance of outdoor activities available. Visitors can explore the park's trails, go fishing, clamming, and crabbing, or simply relax on the beach.

Specific points of interest to see in the park include the beach, the Interpretive Center, and the surrounding wildlife. Visitors can learn about the area's history, geology, and ecology at the Interpretive Center, which also features interactive exhibits. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and gray whales.

Interesting facts about Pacific Beach State Park include that it is one of the few places in the world where razor clams can be found, and that it was once used as a military training site during World War II. Additionally, the park's beach is known for its unique sand dunes, which are formed by the wind and waves.

The best time of year to visit Pacific Beach State Park is during the summer months, when temperatures are warm and the weather is sunny. However, visitors should be prepared for cooler temperatures and rainy weather during other times of the year.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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