Sometimes you just need a getaway from your daily routine, and planning a trip with your best gal pals is a perfect break with no one else to worry about or pack for. The Long Beach Peninsula with its miles of beaches and its cute little hamlets is a great destination to hang your hat at for a few days.

When looking for lodging for a group, just think beach house. We found a darling vacation rental called the Sea Hope Cottage from Oceanfront Getaways. Located in a quieter section of the peninsula, it was fully equipped with everything you could need for a few days. Just a short jaunt on the trail through the sand dunes and you are walking on the beach. The beaches in this area are hard-packed sand that you can drive on. For more information, visit: oceanfrontgetaways.us.

No girl trip is complete without great meals. Two eateries that stand out are The Depot and the 42nd Street Café. The Depot is a small restaurant nestled into an old railroad depot. Chef/co-owner Michael Lalewicz works his magic in the kitchen with eclectic dishes that make the most of the local seafood and fresh produce. His dishes are amazingly creative, like pairing meatballs with hummus and tortilla chips, which was so odd I had to order it, and the combination was yummy. The 42nd Street Café is great for breakfast or dinner. Owner Blaine Walker makes a great cocktail. Wife Cheri has taken comfort food to a whole new level with a bit of New Orleans thrown in. The Dungeness Crab Beignets are excellent, as are the more traditional breakfast dishes.

Long walks on the beach are a given at a location named Long Beach, but there is so much more to see and do. Drive to Cape Disappointment State Park to see breathtaking views of the peninsula, and explore the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Don't leave without venturing onto the deck to see the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse clinging to a point overlooking the Columbia River. Selfies are an important ingredient on a girls' trip, and this photo op can't be missed.

On the other end of the peninsula is Oysterville overlooking Willapa Bay, famed for its oysters. Spend a morning leisurely exploring the 80-acre National Historic District. You really feel like you have stepped back in time with many of the buildings dating from the 19th century. The old church and the one-room schoolhouse are particularly quaint. After a nice walk, head to Oysterville Sea Farms on the waterfront. Inside the old buildings, the harvest from the bay is being processed. The seafood market has a variety of products that make good souvenirs of your trip. Seafood lovers will enjoy lunch alfresco on the deck, where they can order fresh oysters or try the clam chowder.

When you arrive at the Long Beach Peninsula, stop at the Long Beach Peninsula Visitors Bureau for information on what to see and do in the area. Make sure to pick up the self-guided walking tour of Oysterville. When planning a girls' trip, try to do things you don't get to do in your daily life. If you have small children, the plan may be as simple as a leisurely meal or exploring shops with fragile items. The number one key to success is to slow down and don't try to pack too much in.