Welcome to South Bend, the “Oyster Capital of the World,” located along the Willapa River, one of the major tributaries feeding fresh water and nutrients into Willapa Bay. Of all the oysters consumed in the United States, it is said that one of four come out of Willapa Bay, which accounts for 70% of cultivated oysters in Washington State. These prized, slightly sweet, and less briny oysters have a flavor unique to their terroir and are extra plump due to the food-rich Pacific Ocean waters that fill and empty the 70,000-acre bay twice a day with the high and low tides. Stretch your legs with a walk along the docks, take a photo with the “World’s Largest Oyster Shell,” or sip something hot at Elixir Coffee while watching oyster boats on the serene Willapa River. For those who can’t wait until the next stop to sample Willapa Bay oysters, take out fried oysters and fries from a favorite local dive, The Chester Club and Oyster Bar, next door.