Why You Should Visit Port Angeles, Washington

You would think that Port Angeles would feel a bit more touristy that it does. It serves as the perfect spot to either base or begin your adventures on the Olympic Peninsula. Port Angeles retains an authentic feel, despite having an economy heavily dependent on tourism. Located on the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles sits on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with the Olympic Range nestled up to the southern side of the town, Port Angeles offers visitors more than just views.

First and foremost, Olympic National Park is south of Port Angeles, and Port Angeles seems the logical choice for at least a night or two, if not a week's, visit. The town offers a convenient place to rest weary legs after full days exploring the diversity of the Olympic Peninsula and the National Park. One of the Park's Visitor Center is in Port Angeles, as well as the start of the access road up to the crown jewel of the Park, Hurricane Ridge. You have to drive up a winding, narrow paved road up to the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, and if you are like me, and thinking that May would mean warmer weather, than say, January, you will sprint for the warm interior of the Center. Remember, this little lodge-like building, that serves as an observation deck and trailheads center, is above 5000 feet, so even in May, there was a couple feet of snow, so dress appropriately.

Port Angeles can also serve as a good base for various other days trips in and out of the Park. There is the Sol Duc River Valley, where you can find lodging at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. That's right, I said hot springs. There is also the Salmon Cascades, if watching salmon leap upriver is your kind of thing. Hiking trails are plentiful as well, some leading back to waterfalls amid primordial forests, with the large diameter trees that you have to position a person in front of for a picture to show scale. Breathtaking is just one word that pops into mind when I remember my visit.

To the east of Port Angeles is the Dungeness Recreation Area and more impressive, the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. It's a natural sand spit that juts out into the Strait seven miles, which is the longest spit in the country. You can see birds of all sizes, seals that use the beach for sunning themselves, and if you grab a tide table and venture out at low tide, you can find all kinds of shellfish and crawly things in tide pools. If you are really lucky, you may see a pod of killer whales out in the Strait.

There is any number of bed and breakfasts to rent a room, or you can stay in the tiny little waterfront hotels along the main drag in town. If you would like your accomodations closer to the Park, or within the Park, there is the Lake Crescent Lodge and the Log Cabin Resort on Lake Crescent, a deep water lake nestled in the mountains. You could always opt for renting a cabin for the week, or even camping, but be forewarned that the weather is usually some degree of "cold", from chilly to downright freezing, so be prepared.

If you prefer to use Port Angeles as a base for exploring farther afield, try taking the ferry to Canada, specifically Victoria, British Columbia. Or you can drive farther west and south to the Hoh Rain Forest, a remarkable place that fascinates the visitor. Think of a place where everything, and I mean everything, is covered with green moss. You can drive out to Neah Bay, where there is a shipwreck off of the point, which is the most northwesterly point in the lower 48 states. It is also a Reservation for the Makah tribe, but I have to warn you that there is not much for the recreational tourist looking for a Starbucks in Neah Bay. Beautiful, yes, but also austere.

Port Angeles is a good choice for your visit to the Olympic Peninsula, as it offers a bit of civilization to travelers. There are many restaurants, and even an Indian restaurant. Coffeeshops for early morning, and restaurants that run late night menus may not be as plentiful as in places like the big city, but if you are planning a vacation to Olympic, you are probably not too concerned about that.