Road Trip! Cool places to visit on Washington's coast?

[Gold Metal Flake]

I'm planning an epic road trip up the coast all the way into Canada. I plan to stay as close to the coast as possible. Small windey roads? Perfect! Which ones? I love driving the canyons and twisties. The 1 and the 101 will be used but again I want to stay as close to the coast as possible and am looking for ways to make my way north coast rods when the 1 and 101 move inland. Natural beauty? Gimme! I want to be stunned. What antique shops are cool? What small towns are cool? What road is epic? Swap meets? Cool junk yards? (I need some parts) I am looking for the unusual, the unique, the inspiring, the joyful. Historic buildings? I want to see them!

I'll be traveling alone so I don't have to keep anyone else amused. I, however, am easily amused, easily enthralled so if you think a thing is cool but not sure if someone else might, don't hold back. Post about it. One of my best memories about Morro Bay was a lunch at a local-owned restaurant on the bay. There was a light rain. As I ate an otter was outside just below me having a meal of clams. It was magic.

I will stay in motels and maybe campgrounds like KOA or similar (I'll bring a tent). Suggestions?

So show me the magic. Let this thread be helpful to all who may make a similar trek. I should have done this years ago but now it's finally gonna happen!

BTW, this will be the first time I've ever been to Washington state. I'm excited!

[maxsolomon]

1. BE CAREFUL

the Washington Coast is weird. i don't know that i'd say anywhere outside the NP is "cool". "twin peaks-y", yes.

there are paved roads along the southern portion up through Moclips to Taholah on the Quinalt reservation, then it's a maze of logging roads that i wouldn't drive without a Gazeteer and a satellite navigation system before you get back out to 101 near Kalaloch. you might want to detour inland around that area. it's seriously creepy.

anyway, "interesting" things would be:

driving on the beach (all up and down the coast)
iron springs resort
seabrook (an attempt to build a seaside florida on the wash. coast)
lake ozette (reached by a VERY circuitous route that goes north to the straight of juan de fuca to go west to go southwest)
and, of course, the national park beaches

[The empressof all]

2. It's an odd place it is...

The one place I can recommend is the 42nd Street Cafe in Seaview (LongBeach) Their food is exceptional and they make an amazing fruit conserve.

The Southern Part of the WA Coast is rather strange and not as welcoming as the Oregon coast IMO. If you have a chance check out Astoria the Northernmost town on the Oregon Coast. The architecture there is amazing and it's a town that is coming back from the brink in a beautiful and thoughtful way.

When you get further north though don't miss visiting the Rainforests and the Lakes. Lake Crescent up near PA is one of our favorite spots. Shi Shi Beach and of course Cape Alava are must dos. I always found the drive to Neah Bay a bit of an adventure. It really is not like anywhere I've been before in the States. Years ago we stayed at one of the fishing motels and saw the Wickerman (the original) for the first time. Probably one of the most disturbing nights in my life.....

I'll leave it at that....You'll see. :hi:

[seabeckind]

3. Some areas on the WA coast are impressive

but I found Olympic Nat'l Park to be the most awesome, even tho is isn't on the coast. Its rain forest, hot springs, rugged trails are alpine-like and are breathtaking and like no other place I've visited in the lower 48. Hiking from a hundred feet in elevation to 6000 is a little strenuous but worth it. Nice little day hike.

If you can, don't miss the San Juan Islands. To get to Canada it'll most likely be by ferry out of Port Angeles across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria. Gee, Victoria is almost like a whole other country.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

4. Ruby Beach

is seriously the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. Try to get there about once a year...

about 30 miles south of Forks, on highway 101. Wild and so beautiful, you will never forget it...

[Gold Metal Flake]

5. I'm watching and reading this thread.

I've not abandoned it. Thanks for the suggestions. My trip up will be swift but the trip back down will be leisurely so I can explore. I'll have 16 days (unless I play hooky and add an extra day!).

[uppityperson]

6. Camp or cabin or just walk on the beach at Kalaloch. Visit the Rain Forest, Hoh river

The Hoh river road was washed out a while back some distance up, but you can drive in a bit and see BIG trees.

Kalaloch was one of of the reasons I moved to WA. It is on the ocean, on a high bluff, with campground and cabins and a really nice sandy driftwooded beach to walk on.
http://www.olympicnationalparks.com/
http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/olympic_kalaloch.htm

Edited to add, if you take the Black Ball ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, drive north and then go to either the inside or outside coast of Vancouver Island. There are a lot of clearcuts, but a lot of really nice places on the coasts.

If you drive across the top of the Olympic Peninsula to get back to the mainland, let me know since I'm near Port Townsend. Sol Duc Hot Springs is open now, it is on the north side of the Olympics before Port Angeles.