Ready to hit the road and chase some salty sea air, misty forests, and jaw-dropping views?
Washington’s Pacific Coast stuns at every turn, with wild beaches and seaside towns where chowder and cruising boats are the norm.
This road trip is the ultimate mix of nature, culture, and unique stops you won’t find anywhere else, and every turn brings something completely different.
Whether you’re hiking through mossy forests, spotting whales from a windy bluff, or just eating your weight in fish and chips, this trip brings the adventure.
1. Cape Disappointment State Park
Cape Disappointment State Park sits at Washington’s bottom corner, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific, and it’s anything but disappointing.
This place is packed with gorgeous cliffs, two historic lighthouses, crashing waves, forest trails, and even a super cool Lewis and Clark interpretive center.
It’s also one of the foggiest spots in the U.S., so bring a hoodie and hike the short trail to North Head Lighthouse for some coastal views.
2. Long Beach
Just a 7-minute drive north of Cape Disappointment, you’ll hit Long Beach—a laid-back coastal town with a massive stretch of sand that goes on for 28 miles.
You can drive your car right on the beach, fly kites like a pro at the International Kite Festival, or snap a selfie with the giant frying pan sculpture downtown.
The boardwalk is an easy stroll with nonstop ocean views, and if you’re into weird roadside stuff, swing by Marsh’s Free Museum to meet Jake the Alligator Man.
(The International Kite Festival normally takes place on the third week of August each year.)
3. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge
If you’re craving some peace and quiet, head 10 minutes inland to Willapa National Wildlife Refuge which is a true hidden gem.
This place is a natural paradise with long boardwalks through salt marshes, old-growth forests, and endless birdwatching (don’t forget binoculars!).
Don’t miss the Art Trail, where you’ll spot funky outdoor sculptures situated along the path while walking through some dreamy scenery.
4. Westport
Next stop: Westport, a little fishing town with salty air, surf-friendly waves, and boats bobbing in the marina.
This is the place to try clam chowder that’ll ruin all others for you, or rent a wetsuit and hit the water like the locals do.
You can even climb the state’s tallest lighthouse, Grays Harbor Light, for views that seem to go on forever.
If you’re here in summer, keep your eyes peeled for whales off the coast or hop on a charter boat to reel in halibut.
5. Lake Quinault
Lake Quinault welcomes you into a storybook forest of moss-covered trees, misty mountains, and a calm lake.
You can kayak across the water, hike the Rain Forest Nature Trail under giant trees, or search for the world’s largest Sitka spruce (spoiler: it’s massive).
The historic Lake Quinault Lodge is perfect if you like old-school places, cozy fires, and sipping hot cocoa with a lake view.
6. Ruby Beach
Just when you think it can’t get any dreamier, Ruby Beach shows up with its sea stacks, driftwood piles, and typical Pacific Northwest scenery.
This beach isn’t about swimming (beware of rip tides), it’s about tidepool hopping, spotting starfish, and watching the waves crash around giant rock formations.
Plan to go at low tide so you can walk way out, explore every nook, and maybe even find a tiny crab doing its thing under a rock.
7. Hoh Rain Forest
Next head inland to the Hoh Rain Forest, a place so green and lush, it feels like you’ve crash-landed on another planet.
The highlight here is the Hall of Mosses Trail, where trees draped in moss look like they’re dressed up for Halloween no matter the season.
You’ll hear nothing but the crunch of your boots, the trickle of streams, and maybe the lightest drizzle.
This place gets over 12 feet of rainfall annually, so don’t forget a rain jacket.
8. La Push (First, Second, and Third Beach)
Roughly 1.5 hours from the forest, La Push hits you with wild beach beauty and feels like you’ve stepped into Twilight (yep, they used it as a filming location).
Sitting right on the ocean’s edge, this small Quileute village is home to driftwood-covered beaches like First, Second, and Third.
A quick hike through the woods brings you to Second Beach, where stunning sea stacks and sunsets steal the show.
It’s quiet, remote, and feels like the kind of place where you can hear your own thoughts (or at least the sound of waves and gulls).
9. Neah Bay
Keep heading north and you’ll land in Neah Bay, home of the Makah Tribe and the farthest corner of the continental U.S.
The main draw here is Cape Flattery, where a short trail twists through a rugged forest.
At the end, you’ll find a beautiful cliffside view of sea caves, crashing surf, and the Tatoosh Island lighthouse just offshore.
While you’re there, pop into the Makah Museum which features artifacts from a 500-year-old village that was buried by a mudslide and preserved just as it was.
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