Around 600 acres of cranberries are grown in the Long Beach Peninsula area, and you’re bound to see them growing along Highway 101 as you approach the peninsula. Cranberries were originally called “crane berries” by early settlers who thought the blossoms resembled cranes’ heads. Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. has a processing plant on Sandridge Road in Long Beach, and a second one in Westport.

About a mile northeast of Long Beach is the Cranberry Museum & Gift Shop (Pioneer Rd., 360/642-5553, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Fri.–Sun. May–mid-Dec., free). Operated jointly by the University of Washington and the Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation, the museum shows old and new ways of growing and harvesting cranberries. Visitors can walk the adjacent 10-acre demonstration cranberry bog at any time to learn about this unique crop. Try to time your visit for June, the peak bloom season, or October, to see the harvest.

Anna Lena’s Pantry (111 Balstad Ave., Long Beach, 360/642-8948 or 800/272-6237, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Thurs., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sun.) sells locally made cranberry products.