Located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, Port Angeles and Sequim feature majestic forests and serene beaches. Home to the Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site packed with opportunities for outdoor recreation, these stunning cities will capture your heart.
About
Port Angeles is perched on the northern shore, where the Olympic mountains meet the Salish Sea. East of Port Angeles you’ll find the charming city of Sequim. Sequim is famous for its Lavender Festival in July and the Dungeness river valley and Wildlife Refuge where it receives only 16 inches of rainfall a year. Both of these beautiful towns are located on the doorstep of the Olympic National Park, where nearly one million acres of stunning beauty and old-growth forest await you. There are plenty of things to do in Port Angeles and the surrounding area – it’s a paradise for hikers, kayakers, and mountain bikers, ready to capture the hearts of all who adventure there. Enjoy expansive views of the Salish Sea and scenic beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean too. The region that Port Angeles and Sequim sit closely together in are prime locations for recreation on water and land.
If you prefer to explore the urban side of things, you will find plenty of local art, museums, self-guided tours and music to enjoy. You will enjoy excellent craft breweries, wineries and venues and venues serving up fresh, locally harvested cuisine from area farms and waters. Offering endless scenic beauty and cultural significance, prepare to be enthralled by these incredible cities in the rain forest peninsulas.
Dining
If you like fresh farm and sea to table cuisine, then the Port Angeles and Sequim area have you covered. Some of the more popular establishments renowned for their service and culinary delights include:
Festivals & Events
The Sequim Lavender Festival in July features farm tours, hundreds of vendors, spectacular food, and live music events. The Dungeness Crab Festival is dedicated to celebrating the cultural heritage and maritime traditions of the Dungeness region is a vibrant community event and of course, features delicious crab, food, music, and vendors. One of the oldest festivals in Washington is the Sequim Irrigation Festival, founded in 1896 and celebrates how the Dungeness River helped transition the valley from a brown and parched prairie to the agricultural powerhouse it is today.
Outdoors
Begin your visit to the Olympic Peninsula by visiting Hurricane Ridge.Take the scenic 17-mile drive to the most easily accessible mountain area in Olympic National Park. On a clear day, the views are spectacular. Enjoy traversing the ridges along one of the hiking trails, or stop at a picnic area and have lunch with a view. The road is open throughout the summer and scheduled to be open Friday-Sunday in the winter months, weather permitting.
The Olympic Peninsula is home to green forests, snow capped mountains and expansive water views. Some of the WaINNSider member inns in the area sit on the bluff overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. From here you can relax in the evening and watch the lights of Victoria, BC. or the lighthouse at the end of the Dungeness Spit.
Those who like to bike or hike can access the 120 mile long Olympic Discovery Trail from access points nearby to member inns, various other access points along the trail, and even the Port Angeles City Pier. From downtown Port Angeles, the trail extends 7 miles west to the Elwha River and ultimately all the way to Lake Crescent and Forks.
Things to Do
- Cape Flattery: It is a two-hour drive from Port Angeles to Cape Flattery. The trip is well worth it. Cape Flattery is the northwestern most point of the contiguous U.S. and home to the Makah tribe. Most visitors come to hike the popular 1.5-mile trail at Cape Flattery. This well maintained trail winds through old growth forest and along the water affording breathtaking views as well as the chance to view abundant wildlife. While there, visit Neah Bay and learn about the Makah Tribe at the Makah Cultural and Research Center.
- Lake Crescent: A short 45 minute drive from Port Angeles is majestic Lake Crescent, with its cool deep emerald blue waters and surrounding old growth forest with waterfall and old growth forest hikes and water recreation.Take a moderate hike to Marymere Falls or enjoy the less traveled and shorter edutainment loop on the Moments in Time trail.
- Elwha River: The Elwha River is the largest watershed of the Olympic Mountains and is less than 15 minutes from downtown Port Angeles. The valley has a very short hike to Madison Fall or longer day hikes along the river’s edge to the old dam site and Olympic Hot Springs.
- Dungeness River Center – Located at the East end of Sequim and accessible via the Olympic discovery Trail, this new site is sure to please nature lovers, bird watchers, hikers, bikers and all who love appreciate the grandeur of the Dungeness River watershed area.
- Victoria, BC is a short 75-minute ferry ride from downtown Port Angeles via the Blackball Ferry Line. The ferry makes it easy to visit historic Victoria. Bring your passport and spend the day in this very walkable Canadian city. Enjoy historic architecture, beautiful gardens and a large variety of delightful restaurants and quaint shops. Butchart Gardens is a must see and easily accessible by the Butchart Gardens Shuttle Express Bus. Return to the Port Angeles/Sequim area in the evening.
