Port Angeles

Port Angeles is the largest city in the Olympic Peninsula region of Washington, dubbed as the "Center of it All" for the specific part of the state. It is the county seat of Clallam County. It's a great place to start for a day trip to Hurricane Ridge or a vacation to explore all of the Olympic National Park. Outdoor sports like kayaking, biking or hiking are very popular, while the quaint shops attract shoppers downtown and the expansive waterfront provides relaxation. With ferries coming and going all day, Port Angeles is the departure point for a trip to Victoria (British Columbia). Beautiful Pacific beaches are nearby and the lavender fields and berry farms of Sequim beckon all summer. Port Angeles is the place to be when it comes to experiencing all that the Olympic Peninsula has to offer.

Due to the vast and spreading area, this article covers listings as far west as Joyce on Highway 112 towards Neah Bay.

Port Angeles is on the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula at the northwestern side of the state of Washington in the United States. Comparably however, it is closer to Victoria (British Columbia's capital) than the state capital of Olympia!

Like most of Washington, the development of the city revolves around its nature. Pitted closely by the Olympic National Park and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Port Angeles is the gateway for outdoor adventure, with roads leading to breathtaking lakes, stunning vistas, and the towering Olympics. Though notably less notorious than its 'angelic' counterpart in California, this quiet town had its great times when the explorers map the area and traders set posts there thanks to its deep waters.

The area around Port Angeles was inhabited predominantly by the Indian tribes of Klallam and Makah in an area abundant of natural resources: coniferous forests and deep blue sea that sustain prolific wildlife & marine life for daily survivals.

The first non-native sighting of the peninsula was made by explorer Juan Perez in 1774, while the first sailing along the Strait of Juan de Fuca was recorded by Captain Charles Barkley who named the water body after the Greek explorer (Ioannis Phokas) striving to seek the Strait of Anián, which legend has it is actually this same water passage. The city was then named "The Port of Our Lady of the Angels" by Spanish explorer Francisco Eliza in 1791 as it provides a haven from the rough seas of the strait, before it was incorporated to the namesake town in 1861.

Port Angeles' prime location attracts a couple aspiring businessmen to set afoot and develop the land further. Beginning with a port of entry for imported goods in the 1860s to being a federal townsite for lighthouse & military. It was the second city fully plot by the federal government after Washington, D.C, earning the city a nickname "Second National City". Alongside the federal government, entrepreneurs were trying their luck by erecting timber businesses and a fisherman wharf, and along with it commercial industries for incoming settlements. Through the next 100 years, some of the largest sawmills have bankrupted and replaced by other money-making sectors, yet the city has always been a lovable place to live: not too quiet like a village, but not too crowded like metropolitan cities.

Today, the city has a population of around 50,000 with both outside settlements and Indian natives living in harmony.

Like the rest of western Washington, most of the rain falls in fall and winter before tapering off in spring and gloriously sunny on most summer days. Comparatively speaking however, the amount of rain the city gets is one of the lowest in the peninsula at 25 inches thanks to the Olympic rain shadow; Forks, a town 60 miles west of Port Angeles, gets more than thrice the amount of annual rainfall!

Though snow is a rare occurrence, it is more susceptible than Seattle due to its unique topography: frigid cold air that occasionally blows from Canada slams into the Olympics above Port Angeles, often times keeping the low temperature longer than other areas of the peninsula.

Thanks to the moderating ocean effect, summers are comfortably warm with high temperatures usually no higher than the 70s (F, about 26°C), and winter temperatures rarely fall below freezing except during the above situation.

Travelers tend to trek into the Olympic National Park rather than the town itself for sightseeing. However, those who would rather stay in town for at least a day or two should not be left unsatisfied.

• Ediz Hook, Ediz Hook Rd (Access from Marine Dr. A spit where visitors can stroll around the beach that overlooks the city on one side and Canada on the other. A spot for birdwatching and beachcombing. It's said that the beach contains some exotic stones and the luckiest can find sea glasses.
• Feiro Marine Life Center, 315 N Lincoln St, +1 360 417-6254. Daily 10AM-5PM. Museum featuring touch tanks and aquariums featuring Pacific and local marine wildlife (even barnacles and plankton!) Donations: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 youth ages 3-17.
• Olympic Coast Discovery Center, The Landing 115 E Railroad Ave, +1 360 406-2092. Daily 10AM-5PM Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sa Su 10AM-5PM Labor Day-mid October, other seasons by appointment. Another marine sanctuary museum, operated by the NOAA. Includes submarine simulators & shipwrecks.
• Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, 1203 E Lauridsen Blvd, +1 360 457-3532. Gallery Th-Su 11AM-5PM, Outdoors dawn to dusk daily. Outdoor art pieces blend in with nature under a canopy of trees alongside paintings in the gallery. Free.
• Port Angeles Heritage Underground Tour, 121 E. Railroad Avenue, +1 360 460-5748. M-Sa 10AM (May-September), 2PM (November-September); special times for haunted tours each October. If the history section above fascinates you, see the physical piece of history as you will be taken to historical buildings, alleys, and exclusive access to underground tunnel networks, all part of a grand design laid out over 100 years ago. Adults $15, adults 60+ and students ages 13+ $12, child $6.
• Salt Creek Recreation Area, 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, +1 360 928-3441. Daily 8AM-8PM. A waterside park on the former site of Camp Hayden, a World War II military base. Now functions as a campsite, RV park, and beach with some of the camp's facilities remain intact. A short drive to the west are sandy beaches around the ghost town of Port Crescent.
• Washington Lavender Farm, 965 Finn Hall Rd, +1 360 452-4877. May-September: M-Sa 10AM-6PM & Su 1-5PM, other months by appointment. One of the lavender farms expanding from the east part of town to neighboring Sequim, where the smell entices you to visit or at least pass the road again.

With the exception of Hurricane Ridge, all attractions are free of charge, with only a short walk needed.

• Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, +1 360 565-3130. 24-hour in summer, weekend weather permitting in winter. Only accessible from Port Angeles, this attraction in the national park overlooks the rest of the Olympic Mountains from above sea level. Also has the only snow area in the mountain range where snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding can be safely done. $15 for park entrance.
• Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park (go west along Highway 101 for 20 miles (32 km), the lake runs along the road. Pristine blue water of the former glacial lake meets the towering mountain ranges on the horizon. Various viewpoints available along the Highway 101 or stop by the Lake Crescent Lodge to play in it. Free.
• Madison Creek Falls, Olympic Hot Springs Rd (look for sign to trailhead. A quick walk along the superb views of the gushing Elwha River to the falls, with poems in between.
• Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park (Access trail from Storm King Ranger Station. A 90-foot waterfall accessible with an easy 2-mile round trip hike. Free.

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, +1 360 565-3130. 24-hour in summer, weekend weather permitting in winter. Only accessible from Port Angeles, this attraction in the national park overlooks the rest of the Olympic Mountains from above sea level. Also has the only snow area in the mountain range where snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding can be safely done. $15 for park entrance.

Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park (go west along Highway 101 for 20 miles (32 km), the lake runs along the road. Pristine blue water of the former glacial lake meets the towering mountain ranges on the horizon. Various viewpoints available along the Highway 101 or stop by the Lake Crescent Lodge to play in it. Free.

Madison Creek Falls, Olympic Hot Springs Rd (look for sign to trailhead. A quick walk along the superb views of the gushing Elwha River to the falls, with poems in between.

Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park (Access trail from Storm King Ranger Station. A 90-foot waterfall accessible with an easy 2-mile round trip hike. Free.

Ediz Hook, Ediz Hook Rd (Access from Marine Dr. A spit where visitors can stroll around the beach that overlooks the city on one side and Canada on the other. A spot for birdwatching and beachcombing. It's said that the beach contains some exotic stones and the luckiest can find sea glasses.

Feiro Marine Life Center, 315 N Lincoln St, +1 360 417-6254. Daily 10AM-5PM. Museum featuring touch tanks and aquariums featuring Pacific and local marine wildlife (even barnacles and plankton!) Donations: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 youth ages 3-17.

Olympic Coast Discovery Center, The Landing 115 E Railroad Ave, +1 360 406-2092. Daily 10AM-5PM Memorial Day-Labor Day, Sa Su 10AM-5PM Labor Day-mid October, other seasons by appointment. Another marine sanctuary museum, operated by the NOAA. Includes submarine simulators & shipwrecks.

Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, 1203 E Lauridsen Blvd, +1 360 457-3532. Gallery Th-Su 11AM-5PM, Outdoors dawn to dusk daily. Outdoor art pieces blend in with nature under a canopy of trees alongside paintings in the gallery. Free.

Port Angeles Heritage Underground Tour, 121 E. Railroad Avenue, +1 360 460-5748. M-Sa 10AM (May-September), 2PM (November-September); special times for haunted tours each October. If the history section above fascinates you, see the physical piece of history as you will be taken to historical buildings, alleys, and exclusive access to underground tunnel networks, all part of a grand design laid out over 100 years ago. Adults $15, adults 60+ and students ages 13+ $12, child $6.

Salt Creek Recreation Area, 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, +1 360 928-3441. Daily 8AM-8PM. A waterside park on the former site of Camp Hayden, a World War II military base. Now functions as a campsite, RV park, and beach with some of the camp's facilities remain intact. A short drive to the west are sandy beaches around the ghost town of Port Crescent.

Washington Lavender Farm, 965 Finn Hall Rd, +1 360 452-4877. May-September: M-Sa 10AM-6PM & Su 1-5PM, other months by appointment. One of the lavender farms expanding from the east part of town to neighboring Sequim, where the smell entices you to visit or at least pass the road again.

• Peninsula Golf Club, 824 S Lindberg Rd, +1 360 457-6501. F-Tu 11AM-sunset, W noon-sunset. 18-hole golf course with accompanying views of the mountain and the sea.
• Island Adventures, 115 E Railroad Ave, +1 360 293-2428. May-October. Hop on a boat to the ocean to see orcas (killer whale) jumping or flipping above water in action. Reservation highly recommended for summer! The tour starts from Seattle in winter. Adult $99; seniors, students, military, AAA, AARP members $89; children under 18 $69.
• Lincoln Park, 1900 W Lauridsen Blvd. The unofficial city park, featuring a fishing pond, dog park, BMX track, ball field & disc golf. (Just don't mind the sometimes passing airplane noise.)
• Port Angeles City Pier. While you can just take a stroll, you can join the couple of people who fish for crabs or shrimp, if lucky!

• Camaraderie Cellars, 334 Benson Rd, +1 360 417-3564. Winter by appointment. Winery in a secluded neighborhood. Specializes in food wines.
• Harbinger Winery, 2358 Highway 101 W, +1 360 452-4262. M-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Sweet and slightly less-dry selections of full body wine, some infused with fruity flavors.
• Olympic Cellars Winery, 255410 US-101, +1 360 452-0160. Daily 11AM-5PM. Boutique wine with rotating varieties. Concerts every week in summer to perk you up. $5 for 5 glasses of samples.

Camaraderie Cellars, 334 Benson Rd, +1 360 417-3564. Winter by appointment. Winery in a secluded neighborhood. Specializes in food wines.

Harbinger Winery, 2358 Highway 101 W, +1 360 452-4262. M-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Sweet and slightly less-dry selections of full body wine, some infused with fruity flavors.

Olympic Cellars Winery, 255410 US-101, +1 360 452-0160. Daily 11AM-5PM. Boutique wine with rotating varieties. Concerts every week in summer to perk you up. $5 for 5 glasses of samples.

Peninsula Golf Club, 824 S Lindberg Rd, +1 360 457-6501. F-Tu 11AM-sunset, W noon-sunset. 18-hole golf course with accompanying views of the mountain and the sea.

Island Adventures, 115 E Railroad Ave, +1 360 293-2428. May-October. Hop on a boat to the ocean to see orcas (killer whale) jumping or flipping above water in action. Reservation highly recommended for summer! The tour starts from Seattle in winter. Adult $99; seniors, students, military, AAA, AARP members $89; children under 18 $69.

Lincoln Park, 1900 W Lauridsen Blvd. The unofficial city park, featuring a fishing pond, dog park, BMX track, ball field & disc golf. (Just don't mind the sometimes passing airplane noise.)

Port Angeles City Pier. While you can just take a stroll, you can join the couple of people who fish for crabs or shrimp, if lucky!

Port Angeles has the largest selection of outdoor gears and equipment, just in case you can only buy or forget to bring it before venturing out to nature around the Peninsula.

• Brown's Outdoor, 112 W Front St, +1 360 457-4150. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. Outdoor wears, mountaineering and camping equipment for purchase as well as winter sport gears for rental. For last-minute required items before hitting the nature.
• Necessities and Temptations, 217 N Laurel St, +1 360 457-6400. M-Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Local department store with nicks-knacks and arts from local artists.
• Sound Bikes and Kayaks, 120 E Front St, +1 360 457-1240. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Climbing equipment, kayak, and bike accessories to keep you moving.
• Waters West Fly Fishing, 140 W Front St, +1 360 417-0937. M-Sa 9:30AM-6:30PM. Tackle shop for specifically fly fishing gears before catching salmons, along with locally experienced advisers. Also provides guided tours and info before heading out to fish.

Brown's Outdoor, 112 W Front St, +1 360 457-4150. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. Outdoor wears, mountaineering and camping equipment for purchase as well as winter sport gears for rental. For last-minute required items before hitting the nature.

Necessities and Temptations, 217 N Laurel St, +1 360 457-6400. M-Sa 7AM-6PM, Su 11AM-6PM. Local department store with nicks-knacks and arts from local artists.

Sound Bikes and Kayaks, 120 E Front St, +1 360 457-1240. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Climbing equipment, kayak, and bike accessories to keep you moving.

Waters West Fly Fishing, 140 W Front St, +1 360 417-0937. M-Sa 9:30AM-6:30PM. Tackle shop for specifically fly fishing gears before catching salmons, along with locally experienced advisers. Also provides guided tours and info before heading out to fish.

Being near the water means get ready for delectable seafood. Look for salmons, clams, and the sweet and soft Dungeness crabs.

The downtown has been gentrifying enough that some ethnic restaurants, especially Asian, can be seen throughout.

• Frugals, 1520 E Front St, +1 360-417-3958. Su-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F Sa 10:30AM-11PM. Drive-thru only American fast food from a local Pacific Northwest chain. Burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Burgers from $3, combos from $6.
• Little Devil's Lunchbox, 324 W 1st St, +1 360 504-2959. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 11AM-3PM. Fusion of Tex-Mex and Northwest flavors in burritos and sandwiches. From $7.
• Toga's Soup House, 122 W Lauridsen Blvd, +1 360 452-1952. M-F 7AM-4PM. For something warm and on the budget, head over for some soup and coffee. Comfort food such as salads, sandwiches and cake. Soup from $4, sandwiches from $10.
• 8th Street Bridge's Grill, 511 W 8th St, +1 360 457-3287. Spring/summer M-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM-4PM; fall/winter M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Extensive specialty sandwiches, burgers, and milkshakes From $5.

Frugals, 1520 E Front St, +1 360-417-3958. Su-Th 10:30AM-10PM, F Sa 10:30AM-11PM. Drive-thru only American fast food from a local Pacific Northwest chain. Burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Burgers from $3, combos from $6.

Little Devil's Lunchbox, 324 W 1st St, +1 360 504-2959. M-F 10AM-6PM, Sa 11AM-3PM. Fusion of Tex-Mex and Northwest flavors in burritos and sandwiches. From $7.

Toga's Soup House, 122 W Lauridsen Blvd, +1 360 452-1952. M-F 7AM-4PM. For something warm and on the budget, head over for some soup and coffee. Comfort food such as salads, sandwiches and cake. Soup from $4, sandwiches from $10.

8th Street Bridge's Grill, 511 W 8th St, +1 360 457-3287. Spring/summer M-Sa 11AM-8PM, Su 11AM-4PM; fall/winter M-Sa 11AM-7PM, Su 11AM-3PM. Extensive specialty sandwiches, burgers, and milkshakes From $5.

• Chestnut Cottage, 929 E Front St, +1 360 452-8344. Daily 7AM-3PM. Breakfast and brunch items with hospitable crew and homey interior. From $12.
• Tendy's, 920 E 1st St, +1 360 452-3322. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su 11:30AM-9:30PM. Authentic Chinese food with family seating available. From $9.
• Sabai Thai, 903 W 8th St, +1 360 452-4505. M-Sa 4-PM. A local Thai favorite with full fledged original favorite that has the place packed every night! Favorites include curries, Pad Thai and glass noodles. From $13.
• Kokopelli Grill, 203 E Front St, +1 360 457-6040. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 4-8PM. Local seafood with southwest taste. Their salmon chowder is said to be the specialty. Lunch from $12, dinner from $16.

Chestnut Cottage, 929 E Front St, +1 360 452-8344. Daily 7AM-3PM. Breakfast and brunch items with hospitable crew and homey interior. From $12.

Tendy's, 920 E 1st St, +1 360 452-3322. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su 11:30AM-9:30PM. Authentic Chinese food with family seating available. From $9.

Sabai Thai, 903 W 8th St, +1 360 452-4505. M-Sa 4-PM. A local Thai favorite with full fledged original favorite that has the place packed every night! Favorites include curries, Pad Thai and glass noodles. From $13.

Kokopelli Grill, 203 E Front St, +1 360 457-6040. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 4-8PM. Local seafood with southwest taste. Their salmon chowder is said to be the specialty. Lunch from $12, dinner from $16.

• LD's Woodfire Grill, 929 W 8th St, +1 360 452-0400. M-Th 4:30-8PM, F Sa 4:30-9PM. Baby back ribs to fillet mignon grilled apple-smoked to perfection. Also serves salmon pasta & seafood platter as well as a small selection of pizza and salads. From $18.
• Michael's, 117 E 1st St, +1 360 417-6929. Su-Th 4-10PM, F Sa 4-11PM. Array of local seafoods and premium steak cuts in an underground floor. Mains from $20.
• C'Est Si Bon, 23 Cedar Park Dr, +1 360 452-8888. Tu-Su 5-11PM. Exquisite French gourmet & wines with down-to-earth owners in a regal decor. From $30.

LD's Woodfire Grill, 929 W 8th St, +1 360 452-0400. M-Th 4:30-8PM, F Sa 4:30-9PM. Baby back ribs to fillet mignon grilled apple-smoked to perfection. Also serves salmon pasta & seafood platter as well as a small selection of pizza and salads. From $18.

Michael's, 117 E 1st St, +1 360 417-6929. Su-Th 4-10PM, F Sa 4-11PM. Array of local seafoods and premium steak cuts in an underground floor. Mains from $20.

C'Est Si Bon, 23 Cedar Park Dr, +1 360 452-8888. Tu-Su 5-11PM. Exquisite French gourmet & wines with down-to-earth owners in a regal decor. From $30.

• Bar N9NE, 229 W 1st St, +1 360 797-1999. Daily 2PM-2AM. Extensive selection of drafts, with tapas and steaks for something more substantial. Live stage with engaging events every night. Drafts from $4.
• Next Door Gastropub, 113 W 1st St, +1 360 504-2613. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 10AM-10PM. Racks of wine, cocktails, ever-changing list of beers and ciders. Burgers, sandwiches and paninis by day. Kid friendly. Live music Sunday afternoons.
• Castaways, 1213 Marine Dr, +1 360 452-1177. Seaside bar with occasional live music & cabaret.

Bar N9NE, 229 W 1st St, +1 360 797-1999. Daily 2PM-2AM. Extensive selection of drafts, with tapas and steaks for something more substantial. Live stage with engaging events every night. Drafts from $4.

Next Door Gastropub, 113 W 1st St, +1 360 504-2613. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 10AM-10PM. Racks of wine, cocktails, ever-changing list of beers and ciders. Burgers, sandwiches and paninis by day. Kid friendly. Live music Sunday afternoons.

Castaways, 1213 Marine Dr, +1 360 452-1177. Seaside bar with occasional live music & cabaret.

Most telecom companies are able to stream 4G-LTE internet speed at the downtown area, but it can quickly deteriorate the further away you are from Highway 101. In the national park, coverage can be spotty at Lake Crescent, to non-existent at Hurricane Ridge.

The area codes for Port Angeles, and Western Washington as a whole, are 360 and 564. Because their areas overlap, all numbers must be dialed with the area code, including local calls.

You may even get Canadian networks at times which could lead to roaming costs; but it will be helpful for Canadians calling back home.

• US Postal Service, 424 E 1st Ave (Along E 1st Ave between E Peabody & Vine in downtown., +1 360 417-7528. M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa 9AM-2PM. The zip codes for Port Angeles and the surrounding areas are 98362 and 98363

US Postal Service, 424 E 1st Ave (Along E 1st Ave between E Peabody & Vine in downtown., +1 360 417-7528. M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa 9AM-2PM. The zip codes for Port Angeles and the surrounding areas are 98362 and 98363

• Olympic National Park
• Sequim - As one of Port Angeles' next door neighbors, it is a bit more rural and still offers somewhat of a small-town atmosphere.
• Forks - Take the Olympic Loop for a scenic drive around the Olympic Peninsula, including the Hoh Rain Forest and Stephenie Meyers' 'Twilight' town of Forks.