I’ve relaxed, dined and walked the boardwalk on Washington’s rugged Long Beach Peninsula. However, I just discovered a real gem… the north end of the peninsula and the lovely Charles Nelson Guest House. Retreat to the oyster-laden shores of Willapa Bay, visit a world-class art gallery and walk a short mile from bay to ocean. All these activities surround the location of this historic B&B.

The Charles Nelson Guest House

While I’ve visited historic Oysterville on the north end of the Long Beach Peninsula, I had yet to discover the “got away from it all” feeling by staying there. It’s just a brief drive from the hustle and bustle of the beach resorts, great restaurants and lighthouses. A stay at the Charles Nelson Guest House will put you in a relaxed frame of mind from the moment you walk down the garden path and are greeted by innkeeper Ginger at the front door.

The Charles Nelson Guest House is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Originally purchased from a 1920’s era Sears & Roebuck catalog, this beautifully restored Ocean Park bed and breakfast sits across the road from Willapa Bay. Out in the bay, when the morning fog clears, you can see the Wildlife Refuge of Long Island.

The inn consists of expansive plant and antique filled common rooms downstairs and three light-filled guest rooms upstairs. Ginger has done an amazing job ensuring that guests have all the comforts of an upscale hotel room while providing the antique accents and whimsy you expect of a historic B&B. The home is immaculate, filled with light, and the gardens beg you to stay awhile and soak in the beauty of the flowers, lawns and koi pond.

Stroll the beautiful gardens and take in the beauty of the flowers. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

In the lovely dining room, illuminated by one of many antique light fixtures in the house, Ginger kept the dessert plate filled. Cookies, brownies and more appeared magically… always welcome after a hike or tour of nearby Oysterville. Keurig coffee and tea was always available. Water and soft drinks were in the fridge in the kitchen.

Ginger, the Innkeeper, has filled the home with beautiful light fixtures and lamps. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Rooms at the Charles Nelson Guest House

I had the pleasure of staying in Elsa’s Room and fell in love with the lavender bathroom. I soaked in the lavender colored tub, enjoyed views of the gardens from the lace-curtained windows and had plenty of room for my things.

Lavender fixtures and lace curtains made for a relaxing retreat in the bathroom. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

A warm bathrobe awaited me at day’s end and I fluffed the many pillows on the comfortable king sized bed to luxuriate and post pictures on Instagram. Across the street I could see Willapa Bay.

Elsa’s room was made for relaxation. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

My friend, Nancy, had the joy of staying in a room by the same name. It was named after Ginger’s Grandmother, Nancy. It was a warm antique-filled room decorated in soft yellow. Nancy said she spent time discovering all the little details of the room, carefully placed for guests to enjoy. She also had a large private bathroom with shower. The room overlooked the gardens.

Nancy’s Room. Photo courtesy Nancy Vartanian

One afternoon, after a brisk walk to the ocean, my friend and I sat out on the back deck to enjoy the flowers and read.

Containers were overflowing with colorful plants on the relaxing deck. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

We also enjoyed communing with the chickens who laid eggs for our breakfasts. When you visit, you’ll want to spend time at the inn because it’s more than a place to sleep…. it’s a place to savor life and have a cookie or two.

Chicken coop and nasturtiums. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Breakfast at the Charles Nelson Guest House

Breakfast during your stay at the Charles Nelson Guest House may include Ginger’s excellent scones, a personal quiche, French toast, bacon, sausage or—on request—Willapa Bay oysters.

One morning we enjoyed little personal quiches for breakfast. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

We were asked, the night before, what we would like for breakfast. That’s unusual for a B&B. Ginger takes food sensitivities and preferences seriously.

Another morning we had French toast (my favorite). It was accompanied by bacon and a fruit compote. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Ginger creates the perfect breakfast in her lovely, bright kitchen. Seasonal berries were big the time we were there.

Ginger making magic in the kitchen. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Ginger has an engaging, warm personality and is more than happy to advise but she is careful to be respectful of guests’ privacy. She may remain in the kitchen while you have breakfast or join you to chat about the Long Beach Peninsula. It’s up to you. She and her husband live in another home on the property and guests have a key code to the front door making it easy to go out for the evening.

One of the living areas in the house. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Things to do on the North Long Beach Peninsula

With such a beautiful and satisfying breakfast under your belt, you’ll want to get out and enjoy the natural beauty and history of the area.

Seven miles to the North you will find Leadbetter Point State Park and the Leadbetter Unit of the Willapa Bay Wildlife Refuge. This is home to bear, deer and many varieties of birds. There are trails to explore and bay views to enjoy.

A misty morning on Willapa Bay. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

This part of the peninsula is so narrow you can walk a roadside trail from the Charles Nelson Guest House through the little village of Ocean Park to the beach.

We reached the ocean and were alone except for the seagulls and a few fishermen. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

We found the walk to take a bit longer than we expected. It’s only a mile but there is art on the way. Our first stop was at the Eric Wiegardt Studio and Gallery. Eric is an award-winning artist who teaches internationally. In fact, he was away in Europe when we visited. We enjoyed the two story historic home filled with his art. The home once belonged to his great grandfather, an oysterman. Look for one of his watercolors in the dining room at the guesthouse.

Detail of a Eric Wiegardt watercolor. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

In the business district of the small village of Ocean Park, you’ll find galleries filled with local art. Artist Carol Thompson was in the Bay Avenue Gallery working on another of her beautiful seascapes.

Carol Thompson is known for her beautiful seascapes. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Oysterville, a popular attraction for people visiting the Long Beach Peninsula, is just a bike ride away from the Charles Nelson Guest House. In fact, Charles Nelson, Sr. had a saltbox-style house in Oysterville.

The entire town of Oysterville is on the National Historic Register. Oysterville, named after the rich oyster beds of adjacent Willapa Bay, is picturesque and very different from the bustling beach towns of the Long Beach Peninsula.

Take a walking tour, attend summer vespers in the little church, or relax with a view of Willapa Bay. The maintenance of the little town is a labor of love by the locals and is a must-see when you visit the Long Beach Peninsula.

Be sure and peek inside the church in Oysterville. Photo by Elizabeth R Rose

Ocean Park, we noticed, has a pizza restaurant. But for finer dining, you’ll probably want to take the 25-minute drive into Long Beach or Seaside. We did that both nights, dining first at The Depot and the next night at The Shelburne Hotel.

When You Go to the Charles Nelson Guest House

You can call or make your reservation online at the Charles Nelson Guest House. The inn is at 
26205 Sandridge Road, Ocean Park, WA 98640. Call 360.665.3016. Dogs are permitted in some rooms.

A corner for you at the Charles Nelson Guest House

For more information on visiting the Long Beach Peninsula of Washington during your stay at Charles Nelson Guest House see the Long Beach Visitors Bureau website.

Note: As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with meals and accommodations for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.