Insider's Guide to Port Angeles, WA
Retail
The best place to buy gifts, apparel, and goods from the woods. Dog-friendly.
20 locals recommend
MOSS
104 W 1st StThe best place to buy gifts, apparel, and goods from the woods. Dog-friendly.
The place that has it all. A local outfitters since 1957, Swain’s offers outdoor gear, gifts and treats for all ages, including $0.25 popcorn.
40 locals recommend
Swain's General Store
602 E 1st StThe place that has it all. A local outfitters since 1957, Swain’s offers outdoor gear, gifts and treats for all ages, including $0.25 popcorn.
Books, gifts and so much more, this is our favorite bookstore in the area.
10 locals recommend
Port Book and News
104 E 1st StBooks, gifts and so much more, this is our favorite bookstore in the area.
Food scene
Friendly baristas, Stumptown coffee and a loft with a view. The ideal spot to bring your laptop and work remotely. Open until 2pm.
9 locals recommend
The Coffee Box
224 E 1st StFriendly baristas, Stumptown coffee and a loft with a view. The ideal spot to bring your laptop and work remotely. Open until 2pm.
The best local wines at easy-to-drink prices. If you’re a reds fan, the Malbec and Merlot are our favorites.
38 locals recommend
Harbinger Winery
2358 US-101The best local wines at easy-to-drink prices. If you’re a reds fan, the Malbec and Merlot are our favorites.
The perfect spot for that old-fashioned ice cream cone in vanilla, chocolate or swirl. Bonus: the farm animals and yard games.
44 locals recommend
Granny's Cafe
235471 US-101The perfect spot for that old-fashioned ice cream cone in vanilla, chocolate or swirl. Bonus: the farm animals and yard games.
The easy choice for fine dining in Port Angeles. The wine selection and caesar salad aims to please. Open for dinner only.
72 locals recommend
Kokopelli Grill
203 E Front StThe easy choice for fine dining in Port Angeles. The wine selection and caesar salad aims to please. Open for dinner only.
The best burgers, hot wings and appetizers in Port Angeles. Remember to come early, as reservations aren’t always accepted.
152 locals recommend
Next Door Gastropub
113 W 1st StThe best burgers, hot wings and appetizers in Port Angeles. Remember to come early, as reservations aren’t always accepted.
A "must go" place for dine-in breakfast: homemade baked goods (try the cinnamon roll!), generous portions, and friendly staff.
58 locals recommend
Chestnut Cottage Restaurant
929 E Front StA "must go" place for dine-in breakfast: homemade baked goods (try the cinnamon roll!), generous portions, and friendly staff.
Great ambiance and our favorite lunch spot. If you have 4+ people, you can also request hibachi for a fun family experience!
13 locals recommend
Songoku Hibachi and Sushi Japanese
134 W Front StGreat ambiance and our favorite lunch spot. If you have 4+ people, you can also request hibachi for a fun family experience!
Serving local beers that go down easy. Our favorite pint: the Ediz Hook IPA.
55 locals recommend
Barhop Brewing and Artisan Pizza
124 W Railroad AveServing local beers that go down easy. Our favorite pint: the Ediz Hook IPA.
Great ambiance, outdoor fire pits and smooth reds. The Storm King Red (in a bag!) is perfect to bring with you on adventures.
16 locals recommend
Camaraderie cellars
334 Benson RdGreat ambiance, outdoor fire pits and smooth reds. The Storm King Red (in a bag!) is perfect to bring with you on adventures.
Frugals
1520 E Front StThe closest thing to In N' Out on the Olympic Peninsula.
The New Zealand-inspired, real fruit ice cream is the best (try the rasberry!), but a variety of traditional scoops are also available.
8 locals recommend
Welly's Real Fruit Ice Cream
115 East Railroad AvenueThe New Zealand-inspired, real fruit ice cream is the best (try the rasberry!), but a variety of traditional scoops are also available.
Woodsy decor, strong coffee, and friendly baristas. Try the daily specials to satisfy your sweet tooth.
16 locals recommend
Bada NW Coffee Shop
118 W 1st StWoodsy decor, strong coffee, and friendly baristas. Try the daily specials to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Spruce
128 E Front StThe perfect date night spot. Try the brussel sprouts!
The BEST homemade bagels and mini vegan donuts ($0.65/each) in town. Arrive early because they sell out fast.
Electric Cloud Coffee
630 E 1st StThe BEST homemade bagels and mini vegan donuts ($0.65/each) in town. Arrive early because they sell out fast.
Activities
Not your average community pool. Grab a day pass and enjoy the lazy river, pools, hot tub and sauna. A local favorite.
6 locals recommend
William Shore Memorial Pool
225 E 5th StNot your average community pool. Grab a day pass and enjoy the lazy river, pools, hot tub and sauna. A local favorite.
Highly recommend day passes for the Hot Springs. Includes access to three thermal pools. Bring your own towel (rental fees apply).
81 locals recommend
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
12076 Sol Duc-Hot Springs RdHighly recommend day passes for the Hot Springs. Includes access to three thermal pools. Bring your own towel (rental fees apply).
Sightseeing
While not technically in Olympic National Park, this is our top pick for tide pooling, hiking along the coast, SUP, and kayaking.
122 locals recommend
Salt Creek Recreation Area
3506 Camp Hayden RdWhile not technically in Olympic National Park, this is our top pick for tide pooling, hiking along the coast, SUP, and kayaking.
Easy bike path along the shores of Lake Crescent. Don't forget to take the side trail to Devil's punchbowl, a cobalt & turquoise lagoon.
32 locals recommend
Spruce Railroad Trail (Lake Crescent Trail)
Lake Crescent TrailEasy bike path along the shores of Lake Crescent. Don't forget to take the side trail to Devil's punchbowl, a cobalt & turquoise lagoon.
Vibrant, walkable and a short ferry away! Enjoy high tea, IMAX, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and more. Bring your passport.
230 locals recommend
Victoria
Vibrant, walkable and a short ferry away! Enjoy high tea, IMAX, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown and more. Bring your passport.
Enjoy a meal at Lake Quinault's historic lodge and explore local hikes and waterfalls. You may even run into Roosevelt Elk.
24 locals recommend
Lake Quinault Lodge
345 S Shore RdEnjoy a meal at Lake Quinault's historic lodge and explore local hikes and waterfalls. You may even run into Roosevelt Elk.
Hiking
One of our favorite easy hikes (1.6 miles) in Olympic National Park with a gradual ascent to one of the most iconic waterfalls in the area.
71 locals recommend
Sol Duc Falls
One of our favorite easy hikes (1.6 miles) in Olympic National Park with a gradual ascent to one of the most iconic waterfalls in the area.
The easiest hike you'll find in the area (0.4 miles) with a rewarding view!
76 locals recommend
Marymere Falls
The easiest hike you'll find in the area (0.4 miles) with a rewarding view!
An iconic local hike, this steep trail opens up to panoramic views of Lake Crescent. Bring gloves for the ropes section!
42 locals recommend
Mount Storm King
An iconic local hike, this steep trail opens up to panoramic views of Lake Crescent. Bring gloves for the ropes section!
A private cove awaits you on the Cove Trail (2 miles roundtrip), or climb to the peak towering above Salt Creek. Don't forget to download a trail map! It's easy to get lost en route on the loop.
Striped Peak, Washington 98363, USA
A private cove awaits you on the Cove Trail (2 miles roundtrip), or climb to the peak towering above Salt Creek. Don't forget to download a trail map! It's easy to get lost en route on the loop.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Call First
Google, Yelp and online websites are not 100% reliable due to staffing and labor shortages, hunting/fishing season (yes, it's true) and holidays. If you want to make sure a place is open, call ahead.
Book before you go
Black Ball Ferry
If you're planning to travel to Victoria, Canada - which we highly recommend if you have your passport - we suggest booking, or at least checking availability, before you plan your trip.
What to pack
Bring Layers
The weather forecast is not always predictable. If the forecast calls for rain, it could only rain for an hour, then be sunny or windy or both. Bring extra layers to stay comfortable.
Don't miss
Shop Local
There are lots of local businesses that do not have a storefront. A few of our favorites that you can find and order from easily on social media or their websites:
* Cookie Daughters (www.cookiedaughters.com) - delicious homemade sugar cookies perfect for celebrating holidays and special occasions
* Sea to Summit Charcuterie Co. (@sea.to.summitcc) - adult lunchables delivered to your door or larger charcuterie boards for hosting
* So So Sweet by Ashley (www.sososweetbyashley.com) - offering custom cakes, cupcakes + cookies!
* Tin Can Floral Co (www.instagram.com/tincanfloralco) - blooms!
Getting around
Hiking Tips
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PASS
Many of the hikes we recommend are located in Olympic National Park and require a National Park Pass. Don't forget to bring this with you!
DOWNLOAD ALLTRAILS
This is our #1 tool to find hikes, view the latest trail conditions and serve as a GPS tracking tool to ensure you stay on trail. You can also download maps, check weather and get directions to the trailhead. www.alltrails.com