Fall Is Made for Coasting
Explore the Olympic Peninsula and Washington State’s Pacific Coast
Ready to coast? For extra autumn magic, head to the Olympic Peninsula and Washington State’s Pacific Coast for historic lodges, marquee waterfalls, lighthouses, beautiful beaches, and rainforests.
When it comes to location, it doesn’t get much better than Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula’s northern coast, which is surrounded by outdoor opportunities—including Olympic National Park. Visit the park and hike some of the peaceful trails. Combine rainforest and waterfalls on the Lovers Lane Loop Trail. Walking in an old-growth rainforest, you’ll come to a bridge with a view of the four-tiered Sol Duc Falls powering into a mossy gorge.
Two hours west of Port Angeles, the forest-to-beach hike on the Cape Alava Trail is also beautiful, with an option to make it a longer loop.
After a day of hiking, refuel with a meal at historic Lake Crescent Lodge, which overlooks its namesake.
The Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) is one of the best ways to experience this northern part of the Olympic Peninsula. The multi-use path runs 130 miles from Port Townsend to La Push. Choose one of seven access points and hike or bike as much or as little as you want.
In town, take a self-guided walk to see the Port Angeles Art Mural Trail. It’s an official trail filling downtown with murals and sculptures that share stories of local Indigenous art, culture, nature, and history.
Indigenous culture is woven throughout the region, with many local tribes calling the Olympic Peninsula home. In Port Angeles, learn more about the history and present-day culture of one of those tribes at the Elwha Klallam Museum at the Carnegie.
Sol Duc Falls photo and Lake Crescent Lodge photos by Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau; mural photo by Visit Port Angeles.
Middle Coast + Quinault Rainforest
If seeing iconic trees is on your bucket list, head south down the coast. The world’s largest Sitka spruce is located in Quinault—one of several impressive trees in this coastal rainforest.
At an estimated one thousand years old, the tree stands at 191 feet, with a massive circumference. It’s easy to visit this historic landmark, accessed via a short trail. Afterwards, have a meal with a view at the Salmon House Restaurant on Lake Quinault. As its name suggests, salmon is the specialty, especially the slow-smoked variety. But you can also get pasta, salads, steak, and other seafoods.
Be sure to do the short, interpretive Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop. You can also extend your hike by connecting to a nearby trail system.
Beach bliss seekers can do easy short hike to places like Second Beach, where you can view tidepools and look out for whales in October during migration season. Local birds include bald eagles! Or take an easy trail to Kalaloch Beach, backed by dramatic cliffs.
Quinalt photos and beach photos by Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau.
South Coast + Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail
Washington’s southwest coast is home to sandy beaches, historic landmarks, museums, and fantastic dining spots. Drive the Hidden Coast Scenic Byway and stop in charming beach towns, including Moclips and Ocean Shores.
Take a brewery tour without leaving your barstool at Hoquiam Brewing Company, where the brewmasters are creating something for every type of beer enthusiast. For a fruitier flavored beer, the Birkensquatch is a nice combo of guava, passionfruit, and orange. Or go for the Irish red ale—Four Fox Sake … that’s the name of the beer, just saying.
In the small town of Raymond, make a stop at the Northwest Carriage Museum to view an incredible collection of carriage vehicles, including the popular Studebaker Buggy. Many of the vehicles you’ll see here are stars in their own right, having been featured in classic movies like Gone with the Wind and The Little Princess with Shirley Temple, as well as the stagecoach from the western film Virginia City.
The Wandering Goose is an excellent choice for dining nearby. Keeping with the theme of history on the coast, it’s located in the—you guessed it—historic Tokeland Hotel. Dishes are cooked to order, so you’re getting all fresh seafood and fried chicken gourmet delights. For maximum freshness in ingredients, the menu changes regularly.
Further south you’ll come to the Long Beach Peninsula and Cape Disappointment State Park. Contrary to its name, this park does not disappoint. Its 2,023 acres delight with freshwater lakes, saltwater marshes, and dramatic coastline, including the captivating North Head Lighthouse atop a 200-foot-high cliff. This is also where you’ll find the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, where you can learn more of the story about these famous adventurers.
Hike or bike the park’s Lewis & Clark Discovery Trail. Round-trip, this trail into Long Beach is 16 miles, but you can explore as much or as little as you like. The trail has plenty of highlights, like big Pacific views, a boardwalk over dunes, sculptures, and other points of interest.
In Long Beach, have lunch at The Depot, located in the historic Seaview Train Station. From its vintage setting to its tasty seafood dishes (including several Best Clam Chowder designations), it’s the perfect place for casual fine dining. Castaways Seafood Grille (historic) and Pickled Fish (coastal views) are also tasty places on the Long Beach Peninsula.
Beach photo by Olympic Peninsula Visitors Bureau; Carriage Museum photos by Washington's Evergreen Coast; The Depot photo by Stephanie Forrer.
