15 miles of uncrowded, wide, sandy ocean beaches await you.The North Beach, the area between Ocean Shores and the Quinault Nation, compares favorably with the Oregon coast and yet lies just a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle.Gathered here is a list of local attractions, nearby excursions, links to pictures, and relevant websites.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
1. Pacific Beach State Park
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Pacific+Beach
Main access to beach from the town of Pacific Beach. Parking, picnicking, camping, and bathroom available. Beautiful wide, sandy beach with driftwood, beach grass, wildflowers, shells, crabs, seagulls. Cliff and forest behind the beach add interest. Joe Creek runs through the beach. No driving on this beach. Beach driving allowed north and south of here. Dogs allowed off-leash.
2. Griffiths-Priday Ocean State Park at Copalis Beach
http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Griffiths-Priday
Another beautiful beach. 8 miles south of Pacific Beach on highway 109. Shallow Copalis River running through the beach adds interest and possibilities for play. Parking and restroom available at the park entrance. Walk to surf from parking lot is perhaps 3/4 of a mile. This park is nearly always deserted, but does not deserve the inattention.
3. Seabrook - Quaint Beach Town
http://www.seabrookwa.com
Purpose-built destination beach town located 2 miles south of Pacific Beach. Worth a visit to see the very lovely houses with beautiful woodwork in New England cottage style. Visitors may participate in frequent town events. The new gourmet cafe is open. A lovely path through the forest has been cut down to the beach strewn with crushed shells, lighted, and outfitted with benches and a gazebo. The beach is public. I don't expect they mind you using their path. Parking is limited for visitors.
4. Analyde Gap Road, Pacific Beach
http://www.vivapacific.com/analyde-gap.php
2nd route to beach from the town of Pacific Beach. Here you can walk to beach or drive down onto it. Beach driving is allowed from here north to Moclips. Stay on the hard packed sand at the top of the beach. 100 years ago there were no roads in the area - the beach was the road!
5. Pacific Beach Resort
http://www.navylifepnw.com/site/68/Pacific-Beach.aspx
A resort complex for retired military personnel. Its Windjammer restaurant, gift shop, and bowling alley are open to the public. Restaurant features burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pasta. The Cioppino is excellent (seafood stew). Open breakfast through dinner.
6. Ocean Crest Resort, Moclips
http://www.oceancrestresort.com
Hotel, recreation center, and fine restaurant. Recreation center is open to public with its well-equipped exercise room, large swimming pool, and hot tub set in a beautiful cedar building with soaring ceilings. $30 for five visits.
7. Copalis Rock and Copalis State Airport
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/AllStateAirports/CopalisBeach_CopalisState.htm
An isolated seastack rock - the next similar is 20 miles to the north in the Quinault Nation.A flock of seagulls nest on the rock.Nearby is perhaps the only beach airport in the lower 48 states.The only facility at the "airport" is a sign and a windsock.You reach the area by driving onto the beach at Roosevelt Beach Road, driving 2 miles south on the sand, parking by a stream issuing out of the Iron Springs Resort, and then walking one further mile south to the Copalis Rock.Another mile further brings you to the airport and pretty Copalis River.
NEARBY EXCURSIONS
8. Lake Quinault Lodge
http://www.visitlakequinault.com/
Beautiful, historic lodge on gorgeous lake. Excellent restaurant with lovely view of the lake. Boat rentals available on the lake. Half mile rainforest trail is highly recommended. Longer hikes available in area.
9. The Quinault Nation
http://www.quinaultindiannation.com/thingstodo.htm
Reservation of the Quinault and Queets tribes. Guided fishing and scenic tours available. Museum open weekdays. Obtain beach pass from the tribal administrative building to visit the very lovely south beach.
10. Quinault Beach Resort and Casino
http://www.quinaultbeachresort.com/
Very fine hotel and casino complex. Casino open 20 hours per day and always busy. Smoking is allowed. Emily's Restaurant is very good and there's a sushi bar too. If you stay here, the swimming pool and exercise room are very nice and well-equipped. Boardwalk trail leads to wide, sandy beach. Hotel is lit up at night from from the beach - a nice effect.
11. Grays Harbor YMCA in Hoquiam
http://ghymca.net/index.html
Indoor waterpark and exercise facility. Terrific rainy day activity. Waterpark features a wave pool, waterslide, big hot tub, water jet river run, kiddie pool, and Olympic pool for lap swimming. Check the pool schedule for the family and recreational swim hours and the hours that the waterslide is open. Remainder of facility has well-equipped free weight and machine exercise room, several racquetball courts, childcare room, and gym with basketball courts.
12. Ocean Shores
http://www.oceanshores.org/todo/vendor.htm
Largest beach town in the area. Lots of recreation possibilities here: more ocean beaches, boat rentals on Duck Lake, bumper cars, bowling, indoor waterpark, shopping, ferry to Westport.
13. Ocean Shores North Jetty
Jetty at the bottom of Ocean Shores. Great spot to watch big waves rolling in off the ocean. Potential spot for whalewatching in the spring. Sandy, shallow beach behind the jetty is a great place for kids to play.
14. Kalaloch Coastline & Spectacular Ruby Beach
http://www.visitkalaloch.com
Park service lodge and cabins at Kalaloch with a beautiful view of the ocean, beach, cliffs, and river. The restaurant has the finest view you'll ever see. Go in January when it is uncrowded. Just seven miles north of the lodge is spectacular Ruby Beach with its many offshore rocks and islands. 1 1/2 hour day trip from Pacific Beach.
15. Hoh Rain Forest
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/122696/hike26.html
The furthest practical day trip from Pacific Beach: about 2 1/2 hour drive each way - almost exactly 100 miles to the visitor center. 3/4 mile loop trail takes you past eerily moss-draped trees and giant spruces that grow up to 300 feet tall. An impressive fallen spruce borders the trail for 190 feet - less than its full height in life.
RESOURCES AND PICTURES
http://www.BobsPacificBeachHouse.com/pictures.html
http://www.BobsPacificBeachHouse.com/localtips.html
http://www.nwcoast.com/washington/oceanshores/
http://www.pacificbeachwa.com/
http://www.moclips.org/
http://washingtoncoastchamber.org/
http://www.northwestplaces.com/trips001/1-NorthPBeaches/Copalis100.htm
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/140021_shorttrips18.html
Brought to you by:
Bob's Pacific Beach House
Great Ocean View, Short Walk to Beach, 3 King Beds, House Built in 2007
http://www.BobsPacificBeachHouse.com
Feel free to e-mail me with questions. I'll tell you what I know about local accomodations and maybe walk by and send you a picture.
It is NOT ok to contact this poster with commercial interests.
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