Mother Talkers

Olympic Peninsula -- Travel Tips Please

by mamacita

Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 10:57:47 PM PDT

I'm planning a trip for my small family to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.  We're going to fly into Seattle and rent a car, then spend several days exploring this amazing rainforest.  We'll end the trip by staying with friends in Seattle for a couple of days and seeing some sights there.  National Geographic offers this fantastic itinerary, with lots of useful info.  But I'd love to hear from people who've been to these places, if possible.  (Have I mentioned lately how much I love the internet?!!)

I've been so impressed by the travel tips you all have offered that I thought I'd try tapping the same well.  Have any of you toured the Olympic Peninsula?  Anyone live nearby?  Do you have recommendations of places to stay and eat, and things to do?  We'll probably rent bikes at some point, but that's about as far as I've gotten.  

I want to make the most of the time we have, and I'd love to hear your experiences and advice.  

Tags: travel, vacation (all tags)

Permalink | 18 comments

  • Beautiful, beautiful place (0 / 0)

    I have a baby on my lap so I'm not including links, but here goes (we live in Seattle and have traveled to the Olympic Peninsula fairly frequently).

    Much of the Olympic Peninsula is pretty rural - especially the western coast and northern coast.  Port Townsend is a notable exception.  If you wanted a night near good restaurants, or just a day where you poked around and ate good food, it's a great bet.  Lots of bed & breakfasts plus one historic hotel right in town, the Palace Hotel.  All the restaurants are good here - Seattle quality good.  There are some beautiful parks nearby with lots of eagles and nice beachwalking.  I'd rent bikes here -- everywhere else is too hilly with somewhat dangerous roads (imo).

    BUT, if its the rainforest that you want then I recommend driving farther, toward the coast.  The Hood Canal is pretty, but I say go to the ocean.  Ocean Park Resorts in La Push is run by the Quillayute tribe.  It's right on the ocean and absolutely gorgeous.  Bring groceries -- Forks, the nearby town has a grocery store.  Rialto Beach, with the campground Mora right nearby, is a picture-perfect spot to visit as well with a pretty forest.  If you camp there's a short pretty flat (1 mile?) hike to Cape Alava for backcountry camping on the coast.

    Also pretty - the old lodges:  Lake Cresecent, Kalaloch, Sol-duc.  I think Sol-duc would be a pretty one with the rainforest in mind.  They all should offer decent food but Ocean Park Resorts will be much quieter.  On your way to the Olympic Peninsula is Hurricane Ridge,  It takes a while to drive up the winding road but offers great views of the mountains from the visitors center.  You can also do easy hikes that really get you the feel of the mountains.

    Gear - it can be unseasonably cool and/or wet.  Dress in layers and bring some waterproof layers ad shoes.

    Finally, coming out of Seattle, heading north -- stop here for espresso.  http://thelavenderpantry.com/...

    by Anu on Sat Jul 28, 2007 at 07:11:13 AM PDT

  • Tide Pools (0 / 0)

    We like visiting the tide pools to see the starfish and other sea creatures left in small pools at low tide.

    Here's a link to Second Beach.  This site also has a link to the tide tables.

    by mommy turtle on Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 03:28:02 PM PDT

  • Oooh, oooh! (0 / 0)

    Depending on the timing, we should meet!

    by Erin on Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 09:42:26 PM PDT

    • that would be fun! (0 / 0)

      So far all I know is we're leaving here around 8/24 and returning around Labor Day.  What does that week look like for you?

      by mamacita on Mon Jul 30, 2007 at 09:51:44 PM PDT

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      • Ack! (0 / 0)

        That's the week we're moving, so I almost certainly can't do a road trip like I was invisioning.  But let me know if you're going to be near Olympia or Tacoma.

        by Erin on Tue Jul 31, 2007 at 01:52:53 PM PDT

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        • does this mean you found a house?! (0 / 0)

          We'll be near Tacoma as we come and go (Sea-Tac is there, right?).  Maybe we can get a coffee on one end or the other?  Although if you're moving I understand if you don't want to plan anything.  

          I'd love to see pics of the house if you have them!  And please be extra careful, moving at this stage in your pregnancy :-)

          by mamacita on Tue Jul 31, 2007 at 03:21:16 PM PDT

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          • Yes! (0 / 0)

            And it actually passed the inspection, so it's looking like a done deal.  We're supposed to take possession on the 24th, so I'll believe it for sure then.  

            I don't have pictures handy, but it's similar looking to the other house, only not about to fall to the ground.  The beauty part is, it was built in 1909 and basically rebuilt from the studs in 2003, so it has all the charm of an old house with all the little luxuries we 21st century folks love, such as three bathrooms.  

            I'll probably do more packing than actual moving.  DH was raised mormon, and it's a little-known fact that mormons are all about helping people move, so his family is very good at that kind of thing.  It's actually the one "value" dh has retained from his religious teachings.  

            My e-mail is erin@igsphere.com, so hopefully we can plan something.  Sadly for you, MAJOR construction is planned on the freeway at the time of your arrival, and you'll probably have a hard time getting wherever you're going :-(  Sea-Tac is, oddly enough, its own city, neither Seattle nor Tacoma, but it's relatively close to both.

            by Erin on Wed Aug 01, 2007 at 06:42:55 PM PDT

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