Moon Olympic Peninsula: Coastal Getaways, Rainforests & Waterfalls, Hiking & Camping

by Jeff Burlingame

Overview

Charming small towns, verdant rainforests, rocky coastline, and mountain meadows: experience the surreal beauty and endless adventure of the Pacific Northwest with Moon Olympic Peninsula. Inside you'll find:

• Flexible itineraries, from a weekend in Olympic National Park to a week-long tour of the peninsula, for outdoors enthusiasts, families with kids, and more
• Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Tour the oldest lighthouse on the Puget Sound, explore Kurt Cobain's hometown, or immerse yourself in the region's rich maritime history. Dig for a dinner of fresh razor clams in the wet coastal sand and savor fresh-caught Dungeness crab. Stroll through a fragrant lavender farm, shop for handcrafted goods, or peruse small-town galleries for local art. Sample one-of-a-kind red blends and fruit wines or kick back with a local brew and some jazz music
• The best hikes of the Olympic Peninsula: Find your adventure with hike descriptions, directions, difficulty ratings, and elevation gains
• Outdoor adventures: Wander through the ethereal Hoh Rain Forest, marvel at the panoramic views from Hurricane Ridge, or hike through the old-growth forests of Olympic National Park. Take a waterfall-filled backpacking trek through the Sawtooth Mountains, camp on the banks of the Skokomish River, and soak in the restorative waters of the Olympic Hot Springs. Spot hundreds of species of birds in the largest natural sand spit in the world or study starfish and sea stacks on the rugged northern coast
• Local insight from Washington-born journalist Jeff Burlingame on when to go, where to stay, and what to bring
• Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
• Helpful background on the landscape, wildlife, climate, and local culture, plus tips on getting around the peninsula

With Moon Olympic Peninsula's practical tips and expert advice, you can plan your trip your way.
 
Want more of the great outdoors? Try Moon Pacific Northwest Hiking. Exploring the Pacific Northwest? Try Moon Pacific Northwest Road Trip, Moon Coastal Oregon, or Moon Seattle.
 

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640494398
Publisher:	Avalon Publishing
Publication date:	05/18/2021
Series:	Travel Guide
Edition description:	4th ed.
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	266,735
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Jeff Burlingame is the author of 30 nonfiction books. He has won several high-profile awards for his work, including a prestigious NAACP Image Award and a national Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Prior to becoming a full-time author, Jeff spent a decade working as a reporter and editor for his hometown newspaper in the Olympic Peninsula town of Aberdeen, where he won nearly a dozen awards for his writing and cofounded the nonprofit Kurt Cobain Memorial Foundation.

Jeff lives with his family in Tacoma, Washington and is currently working on his first novel.

Table of Contents

Discover the Olympic Peninsula 8

10 Top Experiences 12

Planning Your Trip 20

The Best of the Olympic Peninsula 23

Wine Time 25

Family Getaway 28

Best Hikes 29

The Great Outdoors 31

Best Campgrounds 32

Local Eats 33

Traveling with Dogs 34

The Kitsap Peninsula and Hood Canal 36

Kitsap Peninsula 40

Shelton 67

South Hood Canal 72

North Hood Canal 81

Port Angeles and the Northern Peninsula 89

Port Townsend 93

Sequim-Dungeness Valley 106

Port Angeles 116

Northern Olympic National Park 127

Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway 137

Neah Bay and Lake Ozette 140

Hoh Rain Forest and the Coast 144

Forks, La Push, and Vicinity 148

Western Olympic National Park 159

North Beach 170

Grays Harbor 182

South Beach 196

Willapa Harbor 202

Long Beach Peninsula 205

Background 216

The Landscape 216

Plants and Animals 219

History 222

Government and Economy 226

Local Culture 228

Essentials 230

Transportation 230

Recreation 232

Accommodations 234

Travel Tips 235

Health and Safety 239

Resources 241

Suggested Reading 241

Internet Resources 242

Index 244

List of Maps 251

Although every effort was made to make sure the information in this book was accurate when going to press, research was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and things may have changed since the time of writing. Be sure to confirm specific details, like opening hours, closures, and travel guidelines and restrictions, when making your travel plans.