BEACH PLEASE! When you think of a beach, you don’t instantly think of foggy shores and large boulders with a chance of rain, but that’s the beauty of a PNW beach. No matter what day in the season, you can experience so many different climates; this is what makes for a drop-dead scenery!
Below, I have listed a few of my favorite stops made for either a long day trip to the coast from Seattle (and I mean LONG, typically a 10-12 hour day involving lots of driving), or it’s worth a few nights staying in the Olympics. I’ve done both, so it really depends what you’re up for and what stops to visit. My husband, Ben, and I have gone a few times to the coast, but we decided to get out for a weekend before Washington’s ‘Stay at Home’ order came down. It was Ben’s birthday weekend, and the plans we originally had were obviously cancelled due to restaurants and bars closing. We planned on being extremely isolated, and we are such early birds that everywhere we went, we were the only ones on the trails or beaches. Don’t worry, we kept our distance!
Here are a few recommendations on where to stay if you plan on staying for a few nights:
Lake Quinault Lodge- this is where we stayed and it was a welcoming home away from home. Our room had a beautiful view of the Lake Quinault with a cozy fireplace. You enter the from outside so no crowded hallways or lobbies to worry about running into people. The lodge was built in the 1920’s and has some pretty cool history to it; Franklin D. Roosevelt stepped foot here back in the day, and their dining room is named after him.
Kalaloch Lodge - This is place was next on our list of places to stay; we will definitely try to stay here next time. There are clusters of cabin cottages perched up on a hillside facing Kalaloch Beach, perfect for catching the sunset.
Here are a few of my favorite spots to stop along the coast:
1. Kalaloch Tree Root Cave
To access this beach, head to the Kalaloch Campgrounds, north of the Kalaloch Lodge. This is where you’ll find the picturesque backdrop of a tree hanging on for dear life. The beaches are sandy here and you can walk out pretty far depending on the tides. Remember to check the tides before going!
2. Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach is one of my favorite beaches along Olympic National Park, not too much further up north from Kalaloch beach. Its about a half-mile walk to the beach. The temperatures are mild, which makes this hike great all year long. Views of tide pools, sea stacks, driftwood can be found here. Wear waterproof shoes, or bring extra socks because it’s likely you’ll have to cross water streams or get soaked by the waves coming in if you’re an explorer! Its a little bit rockier than some of the other beaches on here but I still love it.
3. La Push Beach
This includes all of La Push’s beaches, there’s First, Second and Third. Second Beach is by far my favorite, but they are all gorgeous. All the beaches offer sea stacks and miles of open shore.
First Beach is easily accessible and you can drive right up to the beach. I’ve been here many times as there is a rock pile “boardwalk” you can cross with amazing views of the sea stacks. Catching the sunset here is unreal! The last time I came here, it started off cloudy, then started pouring rain and hail, shifted to an open burst of a beautiful orange sunset.
Second Beach requires a 4-mile hike to the beach, but it is not hard at all. You can also get a permit to camp here overnight; its on my list of places to camp this summer!
Third Beach also requires a hike, about 3.6 miles. Once you reach to the bottom, you may be welcomed with a foggy atmosphere. Out in the distance to the left of the shore, there are sea stacks and even a waterfall! Great place for epic drone footage!
4. Rialto Beach
I was so bummed when we got here and it was high tide, make sure you check before you go! I’ve seen so many cool photos of the “hole-in-the-wall” and I was so excited to fly my drone through it, but unfortunately I didn’t time it correctly. It’s still a really awesome beach to explore, with tons and tons of driftwood you have to jump over, but the sand is soft and the water is peaceful. You can walk along the shore for miles with stunning views. There’s a cute little picnic area near the parking lot, and this place also offers a campsite.
5. Cape Flattery
The furthest northwest tip of the U.S, and by far my most favorite stop along the coast. The hike is extremely accessible, about 200-ft elevation gain, and is managed by the Makah Tribe. You can get a permit for parking at the Washburn’s General Store, or many other places on the way and its good for the year and also gives you access to Shi Shi Beach, another stop to add to your list. You will get so many stunning views along the trails and as you approach closer, you’ll hear the pounding of waves and a very breezy wind chill. There is no beach access, but there are many viewing platforms that provide stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, sea stacks and even wildlife.
