Visiting Washington Coast

Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, west of Puget Sound and the Seattle metro region, is home to Olympic National Park. With the rugged Pacific coastline banked by evergreen forests, a temperate rainforest along the western slopes of the Olympic Mountains, and ancient glaciers topping the Olympic peaks, the Olympic Peninsula is an outdoor enthusiasts paradise. Spring and summer bring life and activity to the Washington coast with dry trails and beach hiking at their peak. Travelers check in at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles or the Forks NPS/USFS Recreation Information Center for current ONP conditions, alerts and events.

Grays Harbor is located on the southwest coast of the Olympic Peninsula. The Washington coast community of Ocean Shores on the Pacific coast lies at the mouth of Grays Harbor. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, the Grays Harbor area is a gateway to the Quinault Rain Forest, Washington’s southern Olympic Peninsula, 50-miles of beaches and the wildlife and landscapes of East Grays Harbor County.

Ocean Shores and Grays Harbor are an hour and a half west of Olympia and Tumwater along Washington’s Interstate 5 corridor. Grays Harbor is an easy drive, rewarding travelers with a full calendar of summer events and festivals. Celebrate spring at April's World Class Crab Races & Crab Feed in Westport, south across the mouth of Grays Harbor from Ocean Shores; and launch summer fun in June at the Festival of Colors Kite Festival on the beach in Ocean Shores.

The Ocean Shores Convention Center in downtown Ocean Shores hosts the 2013 Sun and Surf Run, July 25th through 28th. Join more than 3,000 motorcycle enthusiasts to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Sun and Surf Run. One of Washington’s longest running weekend motorcycle events, proceeds benefit local Ocean Shores an Washington coast charities. Enjoy a full weekend of music, vendors, food, merchandise and entertainment in Ocean Shores.

Travelers south on Interstate 5 find Chehalis and Kelso convenient exits to reach Washington coastal destinations. Exit at Chehalis and travel west to reach the north region of Willapa Bay. The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge near Long Beach is conveniently reached from I-5, exiting at Kelso and Longview.

Washington Coast Hotel Map