As the nearest towns to the west are over 55 mi (89 km) away, this article covers listings as far west as Joyce on State Route 112 towards Neah Bay.
Understand
[edit]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.
History
[edit]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. Intended to be the main port of entry for imported goods into Washington Territory, it was the second city fully plotted by the federal government after Washington, D.C, earning the city a nickname "Second National City". Alongside the federal government, entrepreneurs tried their luck by erecting timber businesses, a fisherman wharf, and commercial industries for incoming settlements. Over the next 100 years, some of the largest sawmills went bankrupt and were replaced by other money-making industries.
Today, the city has a population of around 50,000, including nearby settlements and tribal communities.
Climate
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Like the rest of western Washington, most of the rain falls in fall and winter before tapering off in spring into gloriously sunny summers. However, the amount of rain the city gets is one of the lowest in the peninsula at 25 inches (640 mm) thanks to the Olympic rain shadow; Forks, a town 60 miles (97 km) west of Port Angeles, gets more than thrice the amount of annual rainfall!
Though snow is a rare occurrence, it is more susceptible than Seattle due to its unique topography: frigid cold air that occasionally blows from Canada slams into the Olympics above Port Angeles, often times keeping the low temperature longer than other areas of the peninsula.
Thanks to the moderating ocean effect, summers are comfortably warm with high temperatures usually no higher than the 70s °F (about 26°C), and winter temperatures rarely fall below freezing except during the above situation.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]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.
By plane
[edit]The 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) near Seattle.
See the other modes of transportation below for traveling into Port Angeles from either Seattle or Victoria.
By ferry
[edit]Port Angeles has a direct ferry to Victoria, BC on Canada's Vancouver Island.
- 1 Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho), 101 E. Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 360-457-4491, toll-free: +1-888-993-3779. Is a passenger and vehicle ferry running between Port Angeles and Victoria, British Columbia across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Crossing time is 90 minutes. Service runs all year except for an annual refit for one week in winter time. In the winter, this ferry runs 2 sailings a day and in the summer up to 4 sailings per day each way are scheduled. Fares are US$70.00 for car and driver and US$21.00 per passenger 12 years old and older, US$10.50 for children 5-11 years old, free for children 4 years old and younger.
One can also get to the roads towards Port Angeles after using the Washington State Ferries that dock at Port Townsend or Kingston.
- Washington State Ferries, ☏ +1 206 464-6400, toll-free: +1-800-843-3779. The nearest ferry terminals to Port Angeles are:.
- Port Townsend from Coupeville on Whidbey Island.
- Kingston from Edmonds (WA-104/WA-3). Follow WA-104 from the ferry terminal up towards the Hood Canal Bridge via Port Gamble. From there continue towards US-101.
By boat
[edit]- Port Angeles Boat Haven. Nestled in the nook of Ediz Hook and a direct route from Victoria (British Columbia). It is a perfect stop over for boaters plying the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.
By bus
[edit]- 2 Gateway Transit Center, 123 E Front St (at Front & Lincoln, about 100 m (325 ft) east of the entrance to the Black Ball Ferry Line ferry terminal, by walking along East Railway Ave.). The main bus station for Clallam Transit and Olympic Bus Lines. Buses travel along US-101 between Forks, Port Angeles and Sequim.
- Clallam Transit, ☏ +1 360-452-4511, toll-free: +1-800-858-3747. Operates public transit bus services in Clallam County, which Port Angeles is located within. Operates routes including:
- Route 10 from Joyce & Lyre River Makes local stops in and out of town.
- Route 14 from Forks. Makes local stops in and out of town. Transfer available at US 101/SR 113 junction in Sappho for travel on Route 16 to and from Neah Bay.
- Route 30 from Sequim Makes local stops in and out of town.
- Route 123 Strait Shot from Bainbridge Island ferry terminal. Limited stop service. The "Strait Shot" (#123) runs thrice daily (M-Sa) and twice on Sundays in each direction to and from the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal (nearest terminal to Downtown Seattle) with limited stops in Sequim, Jamestown, Discovery Bay, Suquamish Way & SR305, and North Viking P&R in Poulsbo. Travel time from Bainbridge Island ferry terminal is 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours.
- Dungeness Line / Amtrak Thruway (operated by Greyhound Connect), (bus stop) Gateway Transit Center @ 123 E Front St, ☏ +1 360 417-0700. The Dungeness Line goes from Sea-Tac and Seattle to Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles. The bus goes across the Puget Sound on the Edmonds-Kingston ferry and is the most direct way to travel between Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula by bus. Connections with Amtrak, Greyhound, Sound Transit and other transportation services are in Seattle. Tickets can also be booked through Greyhound.com.
- Rocket Transportation, ☏ +1-877-697-6258 (M-F 8AM-5PM; Sa 10AM-2PM). Door to door service in the Olympic Peninsula (Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks) from Sea-Tac From $66 to $150 one way, 30% discount for additional persons with one full fare passenger.
Note that there are no buses to most areas of Olympic National Park. The routes only drop off along the main highway and it is up to the individual to hike into the park or arrange other transportation into the park.
By bicycle
[edit]The Olympic Discovery Trail passes through Port Angeles, from Port Townsend in the east part of the peninsula to La Push on the Pacific Ocean. The section east of Port Angeles is a well marked car free trail, much of which is paved, and easy to traverse on a loaded touring bicycle. West of Port Angeles is the "adventure" part of the trail, for which a cross-country mountain bike is recommended. The trail is non-technical single track, making it an introductory level XC, challenging but doable on a loaded touring bicycle.
Get around
[edit]By bus
[edit]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.
By car
[edit]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.
- 3 Avis & Budget, 111 E 8th St (E 8th St & S Laurel), ☏ +1 360 452-4776. M-Sa 7AM-7PM; Su 8AM-6PM.
- 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.
- 4 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. Otherwise take the #30 bus going out to Sequim to get here. They also have another office at the local William Fairchild Airport.
See
[edit]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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. If the history section above fascinates you, see the physical piece of history as you will be taken to historical buildings, alleys, and exclusive access to underground tunnel networks, all part of a grand design laid out over 100 years ago. Adults $15, adults 60+ and students ages 13+ $12, child $6.
- 6 Salt Creek Recreation Area, 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, ☏ +1 360 928-3441. Daily 8AM-8PM. A waterside park on the former site of Camp Hayden, a World War II military base. Now functions as a campsite, RV park, and beach with some of the camp's facilities remain intact. A short drive to the west are sandy beaches around the ghost town of Port Crescent.
- 7 Washington Lavender Farm, 965 Finn Hall Rd, ☏ +1 360 452-4877. May-September: M-Sa 10AM-6PM & Su 1-5PM, other months by appointment. One of the lavender farms expanding from the east part of town to neighboring Sequim, where the smell entices you to visit or at least pass the road again.
Olympic National Park
[edit]- Main article: Olympic National Park
With the exception of Hurricane Ridge, all attractions are free of charge, with only a short walk needed.
- 8 Olympic National Park Visitor Center. Main visitor center for Olympic National Park. Open daily year-round; times vary by season. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Educational exhibits and brochures available.
- 9 Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, ☏ +1 360 565-3130. 24-hour in summer, weekend weather permitting in winter. Only accessible from Port Angeles, this attraction in the national park overlooks the rest of the Olympic Mountains from 5,000 ft (1,500 m) above sea level. Also has the only snow area in the mountain range where snowshoeing, skiing, and sledding can be safely done. $15 for park entrance.
- 10 Elwha, Olympic National Park (go west on US-101 11 miles (18 km), to Olympic Hot Springs Rd). The Olympic Peninsula's largest watershed. Prior to the construction of two dams in the early 1900s, it was known for its impressive salmon returns. Today, the dams are gone, and the Elwha River is now one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects in National Park Service history. The Olympic Hot Springs Road and Whiskey Bend Road offer sightseeing opportunities through the valley's lowland and montane forests, as well as access to two picnic areas and a number of hiking trails. Stop to see Madison Creek Falls, a quick walk with superb views of the gushing Elwha River to the falls, with poems in between.
- 11 Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park (go west along US-101 for 20 miles (32 km), the lake runs along the road). Pristine blue water of the former glacial lake meets the towering mountain ranges on the horizon. Various viewpoints available along the highway or stop by the Lake Crescent Lodge to play in it. Free.
Do
[edit]- 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.
- 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.).
- 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!
Buy
[edit]Port Angeles has a large selection of outdoors gear and equipment, just in case you need something before venturing out into nature around the peninsula.
- 1 Brown's Outdoor, 112 W Front St, ☏ +1 360 457-4150. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM, Su noon-4PM. Outdoor wears, mountaineering and camping equipment for purchase as well as winter sport gears for rental. For last-minute required items before hitting the nature.
- 2 Sound Bikes and Kayaks, 120 E Front St, ☏ +1 360 457-1240. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM. Climbing equipment, kayak, and bike accessories to keep you moving.
- 3 Waters West Fly Fishing, 140 W Front St, ☏ +1 360 417-0937. M-Sa 9:30AM-6:30PM. Tackle shop for specifically fly fishing gears before catching salmon, along with locally experienced advisers. Also provides guided tours and info before heading out to fish.
- 4 Swain's General Store (Swain's), 602 East First Street (On US-101, two blocks past the post office driving east), ☏ +1 360 452 2357. Swain's has everything! That's their logo, and it's a good place to find just about anything including outdoor gear. Swain's has been a Port Angeles landmark since 1957.
Eat
[edit]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.
Budget
[edit]- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Mid-range
[edit]- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 7 Kokopelli Grill, 203 E Front St, ☏ +1 360 457-6040. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-10PM, Su 4-8PM. Local seafood with southwest taste. Their salmon chowder is said to be the specialty. Lunch from $12, dinner from $16.
- 8 Yodelin Broth Company, 122 W Lauridsen Blvd, ☏ +1 360-477-4063. Vegetarian. $20-30.
Splurge
[edit]- 9 929 Woodfire Grill, 929 W 8th St, ☏ +1 360 452-0400. Tu-Sa 4:30-8PM. Baby back ribs to fillet mignon grilled apple-smoked to perfection. Also serves salmon pasta & seafood platter as well as a small selection of pizza and salads. From $30.
- 10 Michael's, 117 E 1st St, ☏ +1 360 417-6929. Su-Th 4-10PM, F Sa 4-11PM. Array of local seafoods and premium steak cuts in an underground floor. Mains from $20.
Drink
[edit]- 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.
- 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.
Wineries
[edit]- 3 Camaraderie Cellars, 334 Benson Rd, ☏ +1 360 417-3564. Winter by appointment. Winery in a secluded neighborhood. Specializes in food wines.
- 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.
- 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.
Sleep
[edit]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.
Budget
[edit]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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Mid-range
[edit]- 7 Quality Inn Uptown, 101 E 2nd St, ☏ +1 360 457-9434. Chain hotel brand with location right at downtown. Includes free breakfast and free access to William Michaels Community Pool 4 blocks away. From $85 per night.
- 8 Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles, 221 N Lincoln St, ☏ +1 360-452-9215. A local chain brand with superb views of the waterfront and neighboring Canadian mountains, yet central at downtown. From $75 per night.
- 9 Super 8 Port Angeles, 2104 E 1st St, ☏ +1 360 452-8401. Good chain hotel with efficient breakfast. Dedicated room for the disabled. From $80 per night.
Splurge
[edit]- 10 Olympic Lodge, 140 Del Guzzi Dr, ☏ +1 360 205-1193. Cavernous lodge with warm and wooden design. Rooms with views overlooking either the ocean or the golf course behind the property. From $130 per night.
- 11 George Washington Inn, 939 Finn Hall Rd, ☏ +1 360 452-5207. A replica of George Washington's home along the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Sequim and Port Angeles. $175-$300.
- 12 Domaine Madeleine, 146 Wildflower Ln, ☏ +1 360 457-4174. Luxury B&B featuring 5 quiet rooms with fireplaces and a view of nature, in addition to a few perks to maximize your relaxation time. From $180 per night.
- 13 Whiskey Beach NW, 1385 Whiskey Creek Beach Rd, ☏ +1 360 928-3567. Four rustic cabins with additional space for RV hookups, in a dedicated beach. Perfect opportunity to unwind and unplug as the cabins do not have electricity (only propane powered lights & select appliances). RV Hookups from $55 per night; cabins from $130 per night.
Connect
[edit]Most telecom companies are able to stream 4G-LTE internet speed at the downtown area, but it can quickly deteriorate the further away you are from Highway 101. In the national park, coverage can be spotty at Lake Crescent, to non-existent at Hurricane Ridge.
You may get Canadian networks at times which could lead to roaming costs; but it will be helpful for Canadians calling back home.
The area codes for Port Angeles, and the peninsula as a whole, are 360 and 564. Because their areas overlap, all numbers must be dialed with the area code, including local calls.
By mail
[edit]- 1 Port Angeles Post Office (US Postal Service (USPS)), 424 E 1st Ave (Along E 1st Ave between E Peabody & Vine in downtown.), ☏ +1 360 417-7528, toll-free: +1-800-275-8777. M-F 9AM-5PM; Sa 9AM-2PM. The zip codes for Port Angeles and the surrounding areas are 98362 and 98363
Go next
[edit]Take the Olympic Loop for a scenic drive around the Olympic Peninsula:
- The rest of Olympic National Park, including the Hoh Rain Forest and the wilderness coast.
- Sequim — Port Angeles' next door neighbor, a bit more rural and still offers somewhat of a small-town atmosphere.
- Neah Bay and Cape Flattery — the most northwestern point of the contiguous United States.
- Forks — Stephenie Meyers' Twilight town.
Take the ferry to Canada:
- Victoria, BC — see the British architecture and famous gardens of the provincial capital.
Routes through Port Angeles |
Aberdeen ← Forks ← | W E | → Sequim → Olympia |
END ← Neah Bay ← | W E | → ENDS at |
Victoria ← and becomes ← ← | N S | → END |