Port Angeles Washington is a destination that you might consider moving to the top of your list when trying to plan that next great escape. For starters, it enjoys a wonderful location on the north coast of the Olympic Peninsula. To the north are the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, while the lofty Olympic Mountains rise up to the south. The views alone are worth the visit, and it only gets better when you consider the abundant activity options.

Port Angeles is the largest city on the Olympic Peninsula, though it hardly overwhelms with its size. Less than 20,000 people live in the city, so it maintains a small town appeal in many ways. As for things to do, Olympic National Park lies to the near south, and that is where many visitors end up spending a lot of time. Taking boat tours that might include some fishing and/or wildlife viewing is also an option, and anyone looking to get their cultural fix can always hope to catch the city’s award-winning symphony. A trip to the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is just one more option for something to add to the agenda, and the region’s delightful climate lends itself well to golfing, biking and any other number of recreational activities.

Port Angeles Ferry

The city of Port Angeles, as its name would imply, is very much a port city. Ships of various kinds pull into its harbor, and they include ferry boats. The ferries travel back and forth between Port Angeles and the British Columbia capital of Victoria. The trip across the Strait of Juan de Fuca is full of breathtaking views, and this only helps to make the relatively short trip seem that much shorter. A one-way trip takes about one hour and 35 minutes. It is also possible to take a cruise that embarks from Port Angeles, with trip destinations including the San Juan Islands.

Olympic Discovery Trail

Port Angeles is a major stop on the Olympic Discovery Trail, which is good news for visitors who enjoy outdoor recreation. This trail, which currently links Port Angeles to the nearby city of Sequim, will extend more than 120 miles when all is said and done. Upon completion, it will connect Port Townsend on the eastern coast of the Olympic Peninsula with La Push on the western side. The trail is a lowland trail and the views that it provides of the water and the mountains are amazing. While not paved, it is level and hardpacked, thus making it ideal for jogging, walking, biking and horseback riding.

Olympic National Park

Port Angeles Washington is very much the gateway to beautiful Olympic National Park. Glacier-capped mountains rise high into the sky in this park, and the activity options are quite divine. Hiking, climbing, fishing, and strolling on a Pacific Coast beach are just some of the ways to stay busy at Olympic National Park, and there are fantastic cross country ski trails to take advantage of in the winter. Whatever visitors have in mind, staying overnight can be a possibility, especially during the warmer months. There are numerous campgrounds in Olympic National Park, and they offer more than 900 different sites between them.