South Bend (Washington)

South Bend is a city of 1,700 people (2018) on the Pacific Coast of Southwest Washington. It is known for its oyster production and scenery. Willapa Bay is a beautiful habitat for bald eagles, hawks, egrets, coyotes, deer, and Roosevelt elk.

South Bend fishing boat

Understand

South Bend was incorporated as a city in 1890. The name of the city comes from its location on the Willapa River.

Get in

By car

Via Highway 101.

See

Pacific County Courthouse

• The Pacific County Courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.
• In Robert Bush Park on the river, you can watch local fishermen hauling in their catch of salmon during fishing season.
• Pacific County Museum, 1008 W Robert Bush Drive. Mar-Sep: daily 11AM-4PM; Oct-Feb: daily noon-3PM; closed on major holidays. (updated May 2020)

Do

• Canoeing and kayaking from the recreational dock
• Fishing and crabbing on the Willapa.

Buy

• South Bend has a large shellfish industry. You can buy oysters from Willapa Bay at the local canneries.
• You can also buy fresh Dungeness crab when in season - you can check whether crab is in season on the Washington State Fish and Wildlife website.
• From May to August, the Sunday Market on the Dock has live music, children’s entertainment, small vendors and foods.
• Ekone Oyster, 33 Holtz Rd., ☏ +1 360-875-5494. (updated May 2020)
• Pacific Seafood, 1200 Robert Bush Dr., ☏ +1 360-875-5557. (updated May 2020)

Drink

• Willapa Brewing Co., 405 Minnesota Ave, ☏ +1 360-875-8398, willapabrewingco@gmail.com. (updated Feb 2021)

Sleep

• Chen’s Motel & Restaurant, 206 E Robert Bush Drive, ☏ +1 360 875 5538. (updated May 2020)
• Seaquest Motel, 810 W 1st Street, ☏ +1 360-875-5349. (updated May 2020)
• The Cabin at Willapa Bay, 522 West Second Street, ☏ +1 360-942-7990, thecabin@willapabay.org. (updated May 2020)

Go next

Routes through South Bend

Aberdeen ← Raymond ←

N  S

→ Jct E → Seaview → Astoria