Like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, Olympic National Park is popular with international travelers. A scenic car ferry from downtown Seattle to quaint Bainbridge Island lands you on the Olympic peninsula, and a two hour drive along the stunningly beautiful vistas of Puget Sound gets you there. Savvy visitors find accommodations in nearby Sequim, a sunny, dry oasis on the peninsula. Just past Sequim lies the bustling harbor of Port Angeles, where a car ferry delivers you to picturesque Victoria, British Columbia.
Sequim: Sequim is blessed with the sunniest weather on the peninsula. Sequim is desirable as well for its location near the Dungeness Spit and its adjacent natural saltwater lagoon by the Straits of Juan De Fuca just east of town. Dungeness Spit encompasses a 190 acre wildlife refuge, a veritable paradise for bird watchers, kayakers and nature lovers. Upscale hotels are in short supply, so you might consider a change of pace and rent a charming cottage or vacation rental among fields of fragrant lavender and jaw-dropping views of Puget Sound. There are also two historic lodges in the national park itself. Gourmet fare and locally produced lavender products are available in the village, as is a surprising array of fine food and wine, plus fresh seafood showcasing the abundance of the Pacific northwest’s fisheries. Crab feast, jambalaya, or easy barbecued oysters make for a great dinner.
Olympic National Park: This vast and varied terrain offers many destinations and four seasons of weather year-round. Snow in summer, rain in winter, and sunshine above the clouds at the summit of Hurricane Ridge are just a few of its charms. Tide pools, sea stacks, mountain goats and a rainforest are perennial attractions. Notwithstanding the notoriety of the village of Forks as the real-life location of the enormously popular “Twilight” series, the further reaches of the park along the Pacific Ocean make an unforgettable journey of discovery. You can hike past crystal clear Crescent Lake, verdant rain forests, sweeping ridges of virgin timber, and stunningly deserted beaches. Read more about historic lodges and lakes at http://www.visitlakequinault.com/
Victoria, British Columbia: Just an hour from Port Angeles by ferry across the Straits of Juan de Fuca lies the picturesque city of Victoria. The British influence is immediately visible in the architecture, the shops, and the courteous yet friendly residents. An entire week is needed just to explore Victoria Island’s considerable charms. If you only have a day, the ferry will deliver you directly downtown, where you can have tea at the Empress Hotel, see the impressive Indian artifacts at the Pacific Museum, or purchase unique British imports not found in the lower 48 states.
On your way back to Seattle, stop in Port Townsend for lunch. There's also a car ferry there that will take you to the interesting Orcas Island area if you want to keep wandering around Puget Sound and come back to Seattle from the north.
© Copyright 2011 Mary Holman. All rights reserved. This article, photos and content may not be republished, rewritten or excerpted.
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