On the Boardwalk, Down by the Sea
By David Campiche
Published: 06/16/2009  Updated: 08/14/2019
The Long Beach boardwalk crosses over beach grass covered dunes offering oceanfront vistas.
The Long Beach boardwalk crosses over beach grass covered dunes offering oceanfront vistas.  Photo by Gary Hayes

Blowing waves of beach grasses and dramatic viewpoints make the Long Beach boardwalk a treasure of this beach community.

Just short of a half-mile in length, the "Boardwalk" in Long Beach snakes pleasantly from Sid Snyder Avenue to Bolstead, following all the while the natural curve of the beach grass covered sand dunes that lie west of the city of Long Beach. From here, the view is stunning. Take in the panorama of the Pacific Ocean in all its incarnations, from 100-mile-per-hour storms to placid water days in August when ocean eddies into crab pools at low tide, mirroring all the translucency and sensuality of fair Scandinavian eyes. Built in 1990 from state and city donations, the structure remains the pride of the municipality. The beauty of the boardwalk is not only the dramatic views, but also its accessibility. Handicap accessible, the boardwalk offers a vista with a smile. It was built both as an overview for the ocean and a viewing platform for the many annual community events including the International Kite Festival at the end of August and the annual Fourth of July fireworks display. Literally hundreds of thousands of people have ventured onto the long wooden walkway that ties both beach accesses in Long Beach, the hub of the Long Beach Peninsula. If lucky, one just might view a Bald Eagle or Peregrine Falcon. The raptors work the beach at low tide, seeking carrion, or just perch on drift logs and flotsam, a photographer's dream. Choose your passion: inclement or divine weather. Remember, storm watching is a favorite among visitors and locals alike, but no one can deny the healing impact of a blue-bird day, when the Pacific Northwest shines like a faceted jewel and waves of the wind ripple through the dune grasses. Take a walk on the boardwalk and partake in the natural beauty of the Long Beach Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean.
On the Boardwalk, Down by the Sea