Washington State… the Emerald gem. The Evergreen State. Home of your ultimate Pacific Coast Highway road trip!
There’s so much to see in Washington State that people might forget the coast is a trip all in itself. The Olympic Peninsula is waiting for you!
Let’s Pack For This!
Washington state is temperate year round making this trip good to take any time of year. Driving along the coast, the weather is more constant and usually doesn’t get cold enough to snow. Winters can be grey and drizzly, especially on the Olympic Peninsula. The movie Twilight depicts the coast accurately! Washington days in the winter seem even shorter than they are due to the darker, drearier days.
However, if you’re looking for the “windows-down, sunsets every night” kind of trip, we recommend taking this drive any time between June-September for sunnier skies and the longer days Washington summers offer. As far as personal items, hiking boots, warm sweaters, and a raincoat are always a great bet when heading out to the coast in Washington State. The Olympic Peninsula is basically one huge rain forest… it’s lush, damp and often has a chill in the air.
As for the drive itself and your vehicle, prepare for a long road trip. At times, this will feel like a remote area. There will be stretches of road where you won’t pass another car for some time. It’s a bit of a hidden gem in that it is not overrun with tourists like other sections of Hwy 101. For this reason, pack accordingly (snacks, water, a blanket) and make sure you have checked your car’s fluids, tires, and lights.
Day 1 … Pacific Highway Road Trip
Seattle (link to Seattle post)or Vancouver, B.C are great launching points for this Pacific Coast Highway road trip. You can start by taking a ferry over to the Olympic Peninsula from either downtown Seattle over to Bainbridge Island. Other options just north of Seattle are ferries from Edmonds or Coupeville. If you’re traveling in the summer months, there are often long waits at the ferry terminals. Some routes (Coupeville being one of them) allows reservations. Click Here For Reservations
Depending on which ferry you choose, you will pass the cities of Kingston, Sequim, and Port Angeles. A few hrs into your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, we recommend taking a stop by Lake Crescent for a picnic lunch (pick up lunch goodies in Port Angeles)
LAKE CRESCENT
If you want to see what this lake looks like from above, test your limits and hike Mount Storm King. The 4-mile round trip hike gains over 2,000 feet in elevation, including scrambling up the side of a cliff with the help of a few installed ropes.
This hike isn’t for the faint of heart, but the payout is worth it with one of the most spectacular views on the Olympic Peninsula.
HURRICANE RIDGE
If hiking Mount Storm King isn’t your cup of tea, fear not! Hurricane Ridge is a way to get incredible views of the Olympic National Park and you won’t have to break a sweat (you simply drive to the top of it)! However, this road is not suitable for RV’s. The cost of one vehicle and all its occupants is $30 and is good for 7 days. If you happen to have an America The Beautiful pass, it is good to use that this park. Click Here for Parks Pass.
Hurricane Ridge is the most easily accessed mountain area within Olympic National Park and in clear weather. Fantastic views are guaranteed! It is located 17 miles south of Port Angeles on Hurricane Ridge Road, off Mount Angeles Road. The road is open throughout summer. During the winter season, the road is scheduled to be open Friday through Sunday and holiday Mondays, weather and road conditions permitting, but closed all other days. If you are going in the winter, be aware all vehicles must carry tire chains. Check the road status before coming by calling (360)565-3131 (recorded message).
Once up top on the Ridge, you will see how gusty winds (up to 75mph) and snow have shaped this mountain top over the years. Snow often lingers throughout the summer as this area can see upwards of 30-35 FEET of snowfall! There are plenty of hikes you can do once up top, all different lengths. Click Here for Hiking Information.
Continuing on, you’ll weave your way over the top of the Peninsula. Your first coastal stop on this Pacific Coast Highway road trip will land you in La Push. You will be blown away by the beauty of the La Push beaches. I recommend planning a night here so you can watch a sunset, have a campfire on the beach and wake up to say good morning to the wild Pacific Ocean.
While there, it’s helpful to note that there are 3 beaches to choose from. First Beach provides easy and instant beach access, so it’s great if you want to have easy access if you’re toting food/a cooler or beach chairs. We grabbed a pizza in town (Forks… yes, from Twilight) and took a bottle of wine down and caught a spectacular sunset. It happened to be our 1 year wedding anniversary and it made for a nicer venue than any 5-star restaurant!
Second Beach requires a hike on a short trail to reach the beach, and you can also camp on this beach. Second Beach is also the most popular option for its beautiful rock formations and vast shoreline.
Third Beach requires a longer hike and is the least visited of all the beaches… so you are almost always ensured privacy.
There aren’t many options s for accommodations so book early! The closest place to La Push if it books up is 11 miles back inland (Forks) and it doesn’t have a lot to offer as far as sightseeing! Right on the beach in La Push, you will find the Quileute Oceanside Resort & RV Park. It offers 15 deluxe oceanfront cabins, 18 standard oceanfront cabins, two oceanfront motel units, 10 camper cabins, a campground, and 2 full-service RV parks.
All units feature full kitchens or mini-kitchens and are tastefully appointed in an authentic Native American style. Most units enjoy a spectacular ocean view. All units are just a stone’s throw from the crashing waves of First Beach. We stayed here and had great service, a clean room and a view that was unbeatable!
Day 2… Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Day 2 of your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to discover more unbelievable scenery along the coast. Have your cameras ready because today you will see the quintessential Washington State views. Long stretches of beaches and rainforests are on the docket!
Leaving La Push, you will wind your way back inland and through Forks. Yes, this is the actual town where author Stephenie Meyer based her Twilight saga novels.
Forks is actually the rainiest town in the contiguous United States, as depicted in the books and movie series. Before Twilight, Forks barely had a stop light. It was a sleepy town, home to folks working in the logging industry and known for its abundance of steelhead and salmon fishing in the Calawah, Sol Duc and Bogachiel rivers.
If you want to stop and try your hand at fishing, you’re in luck! There are half day and full day guided trips down the river where you can try your hand at a catch. They range from beginner to advanced. On top of this fun fishing experience, you could also see bald eagles, elk, deer, and all sorts of other wildlife and waterfowl. https://forkswa.com/hohriverfishing/
If this is your plan, I suggest you book 2 nights at the Quileute resort and backtrack the short distance (11 miles) allowing for two nights in this serene setting. This way you won’t feel rushed with what’s to come next south of Forks!
Hoh Rainforest
Continuing on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, you will cruise 30 miles south of Forks and make your way to the Hoh Rainforest. Throughout the winter season, the Hoh Rain Forest gets soaked by rain, contributing to the yearly total of 140 to 170 inches (or 12 to 14 feet!) of precipitation each year. Comparatively… Seattle gets 36 inches (and you thought Seattle was the rainiest place ever!).
In the Hoh rainforest, fog and mist contribute the equivalent of another 30 inches of rain. Because of this, the result is incredible! Perhaps the lushest, green canopy of trees and moss you’ll ever see! Towering Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock, Cedar and Fir trees are draped in curtains of moss. Movie set like ferns that blanket the surfaces add another dimension to the enchantment of this magical place. Walking through it my Mom kept saying “this is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been!”
My favorite walk to do is a 1-mile roundtrip, easy amble through the Hall of Mosses trail. It is by far the most popular walk so it can get crowded in the summer months. For a truly unique experience, try to go in off season or mid week when there are not a lot of other visitors. You cannot help but notice how quiet it is. The moss is very effective at absorbing sounds other than the birds chirping.
The Hoh River, colored a milky slate blue from the glaciers that grind rock into glacial flour, runs through the forest offering quiet pools for salmon to swim and spawn. You’ll be sure to see some of these red beauties!
Bring a picnic lunch, a jacket (it stays cool year round) and some good walking shoes/hiking boots and enjoy all this stunning Rainforest has to offer. Here is a brochure offering all the information (restrooms, camping facilities, and trails) you’ll need to make the most of your time here. https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/hoh-rain-forest-area-brochure.htm
Hoh Rain Forest Entrance Cost: FREE! (you will need a Discover Pass)
State Parks Admission: Discover Pass is required, $10 for one day, $30 for one year. Insiser tip – you will require a Discover Pass again on day 3, so maybe just buy the yearly pass for $30. (especially if you live in Washington, this is the way to go)
When to Visit: The Hoh Rain Forest is open daily April – November, weekends only December – March, camping and hiking is accessible year round
Access: Road to the Hoh Rain Forest is open year round
Ruby Beach
Curving back out towards the actual coast (50-minute drive from the Hoh Rainforest) staying true to your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, you will pass by one of the crown jewels of Olympic National Park, Ruby Beach. This sandy beach is a remarkable place to see the large rock formations known as sea stacks as well as massive timbers of washed-up driftwood. Combing the beach you will find wave polished stones of all colors. Tide pooling is a popular attraction here. You will get a crystal-clear look into the lives of sea stars, rock crabs, wolf eels, pricklebacks, brittle stars, barnacles, clams, sea snails, and more. Yet again, you have stumbled upon a photographer’s dream!
Kalaloch Lodge
Just a short, yet stunning 10-minute drive south is the Kalaloch Lodge. We’ve chosen to suggest a night here because we feel in the interest of truly experiencing the Olympic Peninsula, it’s worth staying in this area. Let life slow down with a walk along the beach or enjoy a warm cup of cocoa as you lounge in one of the many Adirondack chairs gazing out to sea. Let Mother Nature display her best side as she shows off all she has to offer here on the coast as you perch on the edge of the continent!
When dinner time rolls around, they’ve got you covered! Creekside Restaurant serves up fresh, local, cuisine, paired with panoramic ocean views. Try to book a table at sunset for an even better experience! Rooms start at $200/night. They also offer packages including breakfast. Should you happen to be here during the Fall/Winter months, you will be treated to a storm watching experience with massive waves crashing and tossing driftwood as if it were matchsticks! Truly an unforgettable experience.
Day 3 and 4… Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
After waking up to a delicious breakfast, hit the road heading south. This part of the trip curves inland away from the coast. Our destination of Long Beach is a few hours (2hrs, 50min) south.
If you’re interested in cutting over to the coast early, you can bop into the town of Ocean Shores for a chance to stretch your legs and grab some lunch. There are shops, restaurants and another long stretch of beach here. Galway Bay is a fun Irish restaurant/pub we’ve eaten at right on the main street in town. Mike’s Seafood offers great chowder and crab cakes if you’re trying to keep the coastal feel to the trip!
Once you roll into Long Beach on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, you can check into your hotel/Airbnb. We recommend staying 2 nights as this area has a lot to offer! There are lots of hotels and cabins to choose from in Long Beach, Wa.
Accomodations
The Adrift Hotel is an excellent choice for a place to stay. Located directly at the beach, you have a great view and easy walk to get anywhere in town. The rooms are clean, modern and spacious.
We chose to stay at our favorite little quirky Airbnb each time we have spent a weekend in Long Beach. It is rustic and quaint. In other words, it is very, very old! We will choose this place every time as it offers all the comforts of home (kitchen, living room, dining room, yard with a hot tub)… yet is nothing at all like any home we have lived in. If it’s available, and you are up for a new adventure in accommodations… get yourself there and enjoy every ounce of this little gem! I signed the guestbook begging to buy it! Paige is wonderful and we highly recommend her cottage! https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/20176434?guests=1&adults=1&s=xc9A3aMv
Once checked in, take a walk down to the beach. You’ll see why it’s aptly named due to its massive beach and boardwalk on Long Beach Peninsula. Colorful kites are on show nonstop and cars are allowed to drive on this beach making for a unique experience like in Daytona, Fl!
We recommend during your stay you venture downtown (Long Beach really only has one main road so navigating your way around will be EASY) to
Dining
For dinner, you can’t go wrong with The Pickled Fish! It’s a meal and a view you won’t soon forget. Located inside the Adrift hotel, ride the elevator to the top floor and follow the delicious smell of food and the sound of easy-going laughter and glasses clinking! The atmosphere is easy going and relaxed, yet this restaurant has such a romantic feel to it because of the setting.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the ocean, try to time your meal for sunset. Reservations are not accepted for parties of less than 5 so get there early to ensure you get a seat! We have dined here on more than one occasion and have not been disappointed! We enjoyed the fireworks of NY’s here once and it made for a spectacular view of an equally spectacular fireworks display! As a bonus, they have year-round, nightly
Summertime in Long Beach offers the chance to try your surfing skills out! If you’re in need of a lesson, they offer that too! Paddle, Paddle, Paddle…POP UP! All you need it a towel, swimsuit, hydration and your sense of adventure. Prices avg $100/3hr lesson https://www.skookumsurf.com/
A must see on the Long Beach Peninsula is Cape Disappointment. This place is steeped in Northwest history and you can learn about it at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. A short 1.5-mile hike (20-30 min) takes you to the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast.
Winding your way through old growth forest, you will eventually come out to be greeted with sweeping views of the “Graveyard of the Pacific”. From here you can see the Columbia flows into the Pacific Ocean. Be aware, parking is limited and you need to buy a $10 Discover Pass to display on your dashboard. https://parks.state.wa.us/486/Cape-Disappointment
Day 5… Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip
Your Pacific Coast Highway road trip is coming to a close and it’s time to head back to Seattle. The drive back is not particularly pretty, consequently, there aren’t any must-see places en route. Your drive back will take you roughly 3.5 hrs/170 miles. This will allow you to leisurely get up and take one last stroll down the beach with your morning coffee!
If you want to lengthen your trip a little (5 hrs/230 miles) and you have the time, consider bopping down into Oregon to Cannon Beach. Alternatively, you could extend your trip by a night and stay there before heading back to Seattle. It is definitely a gorgeous beach town with the famous Haystack Rock. Check out our Oregon Coast Road Trip post for more details.
Let’s Unpack This!
Sitting in Seattle before you embarked on this roughly 500+-mile Pacific Coast Highway road trip, the snow-capped peaks of the Olympics were just a postcard image set out in front of you. Leaving the bustling city behind, you set out for a trip you will come to find out will leave you awestruck. It will unwind you and make you feel small. You stand atop mountains, sit on beaches watching the crashing waves of the Pacific, and feel the quiet of the old growth, moss covered forests. It will unwind you by leading you to where the wifi is weak, and certainly make you feel small in the sense that you will realize what tiny space you occupy in this vast and beautiful world.
