The Washington coast is the gem of the Pacific Northwest, with miles of rugged coastline, stunning beaches, and majestic forests waiting to be explored. From the iconic Cape Disappointment to the remote and pristine beaches of Kalaloch, the Washington coast offers a wealth of natural beauty and outdoor adventure.
Whether you’re looking to hike through ancient rainforests, surf the waves, or relax on a sandy beach, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best things to do on the Washington Coast.
1. Don’t Get Disappointed at Cape Disappointment
Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, Cape Disappointment is a state park that offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River, and the surrounding forests.
You can hike to the lighthouse, explore the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, stroll along the beaches, and go fishing, boating, or clamming. The park also offers a range of camping options, including cabins and RV sites just steps away from the beautiful beach!
2. Take a Long Walk on Long Beach
Long Beach is a 28-mile stretch of pristine beach that offers a range of outdoor activities, including kite flying, horseback riding, and surfing. Despite boasting it’s the longest beach in the world, it’s sadly not. But who is keeping track anyway?
The highlight is exploring the Long Beach Boardwalk, which features a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The town is also known for its annual events, including the Washington State International Kite Festival and the Long Beach Razor Clam Festival.
3. Surfs up in Westport
Westport is a popular fishing town located on the southern coast of Washington. Fishermen (and women!) can go fishing for salmon, halibut, and crab or take a charter boat tour to see the local wildlife, including whales, seals, and sea lions.
The town is quaint and also has a range of restaurants and shops, as well as a marina and a beach for swimming and sunbathing.
If you’re trying to work on your surf skills, Westport is the place to do so. Head to the jetty to check out the swell for the day, it’s often pumping!
Lastly, after a hard day of exploring Westport, you can take a load off at Blackbeard’s Brewing Company with some pizza and beer.
4. Visit Rialto Beach and Hike the Hole-In-The-Wall Trail
Located just a few miles from La Push, Rialto Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Washington! The beach is known for its dramatic sea stacks and driftwood and is a popular spot for photography. The best thing to do at this beach is the Hole-in-the-Wall trail.
This 1.5-mile hike takes visitors through a beautiful coastal stroll along the beach to a stunning rock formation known as Hole-in-the-Wall. The rock formation is a natural arch that has been carved out by the sea over time. You can explore the tide pools around the rock formations and see a variety of marine life, including starfish and anemones. Wear good shoes and come at low tide!
5. Collect all Four Kalaloch Beaches
Kalaloch is a breathtaking coastal region of Olympic National Park that is famous for its pristine beaches, rocky shores, and stunning ocean views. There are four main beaches in the Kalaloch area, each with its own unique features and attractions. Do note that each of the beaches requires a short walk to get to.
Beach 1 is the southernmost beach and features a wide expanse of sandy shore perfect for beachcombing, watching the sunset, or taking a dip in the ocean. The beach is easily accessible from the small parking area, but the shores are often covered in driftwood, which makes for quite the scene.
Beach 2 is located just north of Beach 1 and offers a secluded and peaceful setting. You can take a walk along the grey sand and pebbly shoreline to appreciate the stunning natural beauty of the area and maybe even catch a whale breaching in the distance!
In between beaches 1 and 2, you’ll find the Tree of Life, which is a really cool tree seemingly floating between rocks. This is also where you’ll find the Kalaloch campsite, which is a great place to stay in Olympic National Park.
Beach 3 is known for its rocky shoreline and scenic offshore views of sea stacks. You can explore the beach at low tide and discover tide pools filled with marine life.
Beach 4 is the northernmost beach and is also known for its rugged beauty. You can hop over the wooden bridge leading to the beach and admire the rocky coastline.
6. See the Sea in Seattle
Yes, Seattle! It’s a vibrant city on the western coast of Washington state that boasts a unique blend of urban and natural attractions. Renowned for its innovative culture, vibrant music scene, and bustling waterfront, Seattle offers plenty.
One of the best things to do in Seattle is to explore the city’s waterfront. Take a stroll along the scenic piers, enjoy panoramic views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, and stop by the iconic Pike Place Market to sample fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses, and other local delicacies.
Another popular activity along Washington’s coast is to take a ferry ride to one of the nearby islands, such as Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island. These picturesque destinations offer stunning scenery, charming small towns, and a variety of outdoor activities, so you can go hiking, kayaking, and beachcombing, and best of all—they can be done as a day trip from Seattle!
7. Get Lost in The Hoh Rainforest
Located in Olympic National Park, this temperate rainforest receives an annual rainfall of over 140 inches and has some of the largest trees in the world! It’s a bit inland but worthy of a mention since you’ll be cruisin’ right past it.
You can take a leisurely stroll on the Hall of Mosses Trail, which is only 0.8 miles long, and experience the beauty of the rainforest up close. The Spruce Nature Trail is another easy hike that offers scenic views of the Hoh River and surrounding foliage.
This area is mega-popular, so getting here early is a good tip; otherwise, you can get caught in some traffic.
8. Make a Pit Stop (at the Least) at Lake Crescent
Not exactly on the coast, but it’s close enough and worth a stop—Lake Crescent is a stunning glacial lake located in Olympic National Park. The lake is known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful mountain scenery. You can go kayaking, fishing, or swimming in the lake or take a leisurely stroll on the 1.7-mile Spruce Railroad Trail. The trail takes you along the shores of the lake and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
There’s also the popular Mount Storm King trail here which is one of the best hikes in Olympic National Park to tackle if you’re up for the challenge!
9. Visit The Vast Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores is a beach town located on a peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean. The town offers a range of outdoor activities, including beachcombing, kite flying, and surfing as well.
Keep your eyes peeled for the local wildlife, including deer and elk, or take a horseback ride on the beach. You’ll find miles and miles of beaches here, which you’ll very likely have to yourself.
10. Get to The Tippy Top of Cape Flattery
Located on the Makah Indian Reservation, Cape Flattery is the most northwestern point in the contiguous United States. It’s a famous spot for whale watching and offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and Tatoosh Island. You can embark on a short hike to reach the Cape Flattery Trailhead and continue hiking for 0.75 miles until you reach the Cape Flattery overlook. During your hike, you’ll get to enjoy the picturesque views of the coastline and sea stacks.
11. Check Out La Push Beaches
La Push is a small community located on the Quileute Indian Reservation and is famous for its stunning beaches. There are three main beaches in La Push:
First Beach (I know these beaches have such unique names, right?), which is the most popular of the three beaches, is a long sandy beach perfect for swimming, beachcombing, and sunbathing. It’s also a popular spot for surfers and boogie boarders, with consistent waves throughout the year. You also have to catch stunning sunsets here! This is the most accessible of the three beaches as well as it’s right in town.
Second Beach requires a short hike through the forest to reach. The trail is relatively easy, and the beach is well worth the effort. This beach is known for its natural beauty, with towering sea stacks and tide pools teeming with marine life.
Third Beach is the longest of the three beaches and offers the most rugged and wild experience.
The beach is accessible via a 1.3-mile trail through the forest, which can be fairly steep and challenging at times. However, the effort is well worth it, as Third Beach offers stunning views of sea stacks, rock formations, and offshore islands. This is the most remote of the three, and you can backcountry camp here too if you have a permit.
12. Base at The Olympic Gateway of Port Angeles
Nestled at the base of the Olympic Mountains and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Angeles is a charming coastal town that offers an array of activities for visitors to enjoy.
One of the main draws of Port Angeles is its proximity to Olympic National Park, one of the best West Coast National Parks. The park’s Hurricane Ridge area is just a short drive away and offers some of the most stunning mountain views in the Pacific Northwest. You should take the scenic drive up to Hurricane Ridge, hike the Hurricane Hill Trail, and take in the incredible vistas from the visitor center.
13. Get Rosey Red at Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach is a beach located in Olympic National Park, known for its unique rock formations and tide pools. You can explore the beach, climb the sea stacks, or watch the sunset over the ocean. The beach is also home to a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, and bald eagles.
Ruby Beach gets its name from the ruby-like crystals that can be found in the sand. The sand is a unique mixture of sand, silt, and small rocks that have been eroded from the nearby cliffs and washed down to the shore.
We hope you found this list of things to do on the Washington Coast helpful for planning your next visit!
Author Bio
Nina and Garrett are two PNW-obsessed world travelers that love hanging out in the outdoors and having a nice cold beer after a long hike. You can catch them exploring the PNW in their trusty 1974 VW Bus named Lucy and writing about their epic adventures on their blog!
