Port Angeles, WA Road Trips

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 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. The area around Port Angeles was inhabited predominantly by the Indian tribes of Klallam and Makah in an area of abundant natural resources, coniferous forests and deep blue sea that sustain prolific wildlife. The first non-native sighting of the peninsula was made by explorer Juan Perez in 1774. The first sailing along the Strait of Juan de Fuca was recorded by Captain Charles Barkley, who named the water body after Ioannis Phokas, the Greek explorer striving to seek the Strait of Anián, which legend has it is actually this same water passage. The harbor 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. Port Angeles' prime location attracted aspiring businessmen to set afoot and develop the land further, and it was incorporated in 1861.

Travelers tend to trek into the Olympic National Park rather than sightsee the town itself. However, those who would rather stay in town for at least a day or two should not be left unsatisfied. 1 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. (updated Nov 2017) 2 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. (updated Nov 2017) 3 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. Free. (updated May 2020) 4 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. (updated Nov 2017) 5 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.

1 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. (updated Nov 2017) 2 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.). (updated Nov 2017) 3 Port Angeles City Pier (Get to the passage after the Feiro Marine Life Center). While you can just take a stroll, you can join the couple of people who fish for crabs or shrimp, if lucky! (updated Nov 2017)

Being on the water means delectable seafood! Look for salmon, clams, and the sweet and soft Dungeness crabs. The downtown has been gentrifying enough that some ethnic restaurants, especially Asian, can be found. 1 Buena Luz Bakery (The Good Light), 1105 Eunice St (It is on the corner of Eunice and Lauridsen Blvd (a bypass route for US-101)), ☏ +1 360-460-0627. 6AM-2PM T-F, 7AM-2PM Sa, closed Su-M. Fresh baked pastries and bread, grab and go or made to order sandwiches, full coffee and tea service. Coffee cake from $3.50, sandwiches from $7. (updated Jun 2022) 2 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. (updated Jan 2017) 3 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. (updated Nov 2017) 4 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. (updated Nov 2017) 5 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. (updated Nov 2017) 6 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.

1 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. (updated Nov 2017) 2 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. (updated Nov 2017) 3 Camaraderie Cellars, 334 Benson Rd, ☏ +1 360 417-3564. Winter by appointment. Winery in a secluded neighborhood. Specializes in food wines. (updated Nov 2017) 4 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. (updated Nov 2017) 5 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. (updated Nov 2017)

Group travelers can find a better deal by renting vacation homes around the area. For small groups that want a stay of homey feeling, there are also multiple choices of BnB accommodations. Many budget hotels are located downtown, with easy access to restaurants and shops. 1 Flagstone Motel, 415 E 1st St, ☏ +1 360 457-9494. Check-in: 3-10PM, check-out: 11AM. Low-key floors with red and brown interiors and choice of carpet or wooden floors. From $40 per night. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Port Angeles Inn, 111 E 2nd St, ☏ +1 360 452-9285, toll-free: +1 800 421 0706. Quaint motel up the hill from downtown with basic rooms and free full breakfast. From $60 per night. (updated Nov 2017) 3 Riviera Inn, 535 East Front Street, ☏ +1 360 417 3955. Slightly dated interiors but adequate enough for a snooze. Fan provided for the summer. From $40 per night. (updated Nov 2017) 4 Royal Victorian Motel, 521 E 1st St, ☏ +1 360 452-8400. Motel with rooms that can be tight but have comfy mattresses. Don't be put off with its eccentric exterior paints. From $50 per night. (updated Nov 2017) 5 Uptown Inn, 112 E 2nd St, ☏ +1 360 457-9435. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Modest rooms with free full breakfast and free laundry. From $60 per night. (updated Nov 2017) 6 All-View Motel, 214 E Lauridsen Blvd, ☏ +1 360-457-7779. Family-run motel with delicate hospitality and modest rooms, some with kitchenette From $40 per night. (updated Nov 2017) 7 Quality Inn Uptown, 101 E 2nd St, ☏ +1 360 457-9434. Chain hotel brand with location right at downtown.

The main road traversing Port Angeles is the US Highway 101, which loops around the Olympic Peninsula. The nearest major towns are Forks, 1 hour to the west, and Sequim, 30 minutes to the east. Travelers from Seattle or points north can get into the area in just 2 hours using a ferry from Edmonds to Kingston, and then continuing to State Route 104 before merging with US-101. Travelers from south of Seattle can take the Interstate 5, exit to State Route 16 (across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge) through the Kitsap Peninsula, before merging with the US-101 portion that goes along the Hood Canal. Travelers from Olympia or points south can get off I-5 at US-101 and follow the highway through Shelton, Brinnon and the Hood Canal. The 1 William R Fairchild International Airport (CLM IATA) is on the west side of the city. The airport is used primarily for charter and general aviation purposes. The nearest airports for commercial flights are: Victoria International Airport (YYJ IATA) in Sidney, BC, 27km north of Victoria. Be sure to have the proper travel documents to cross the border between Canada and the United States. Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA IATA) south of Seattle in the city of Sea-Tac. See the other modes of transportation below for traveling into Port Angeles from either Seattle or Victoria. Port Angeles has a direct ferry to Victoria, BC on Canada's Vancouver Island. 2 Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho), 101 E. Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 360-457-4491, toll-free: +1-888-993-3779.

Public transportation is provided by Clallam Transit. The fare for each bus ride is $1 for adults, $0.50 for youth and seniors with a Regional Reduced Fare Permit card. Routes 20, 22, 24, and 26 serve the city proper while Route 30 serves the US-101 corridor before continuing towards Sequim. The bus does not run on Sundays with the exception of the Strait Shot (#123) route. Most visitors go to and around the town by car, especially those who would venture far out into the Olympic National Park or anywhere off the US-101 corridor. Parking is generally easy to find, but the downtown area only allows 2 hours of street parking. Taking a bus from Sea-Tac and renting a car here may cheaper than renting a car at the airport, especially with the 12% airport surcharge and the 100-mile drive. Check the car rental companies' websites for rate differences between the airport, Seattle proper, or Port Angeles. Avis & Budget are next door to the Gateway Bus Transit Center while Enterprise is several blocks east on E 1st St. 4 Avis & Budget, 111 E 8th St (E 8th St & S Laurel), ☏ +1 360 452-4776. M-Sa 7AM-7PM; Su 8AM-6PM. (updated Jul 2015) Budget, 1406 Fairchild Airport Rd (William R Fairchild Airport), ☏ +1 360 452-4774. M-F 8AM-6PM; Sa Su 10AM-5PM. They also have an in-town office with Avis at 107 E 8th St. (updated Jul 2015) 5 Enterprise, 902 E 1st St, Unit D (Behind Verizon Store at First & S Race towards alley), ☏ +1 360 417-3083. M-Sa 8AM-5PM. Call for a pick-up at the Gateway bus transit center or the ferry terminal.