Consider the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Where else in the world can you find pristine ocean beaches, lush rainforests, majestic mountains, and winding rivers feeding lakes that literally take your breath away with their beauty? And where in the world can you find all of these things in one handy-but-huge parcel of land that can be explored over a long weekend? That would be the Olympic Peninsula, right here in our backyard.

By definition, a peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water.  The Olympic Peninsula is loosely that, but so much more.  Essentially, the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains were created millions of years ago by geological activity: Massive glaciers slipped across the land and created the fjords we now call the Puget Sound, while a shifting tectonic plate smashed large chunks of rock together that eventually rose up to become the Olympic Mountains.  Essentially, these two geological features define the parameters and the distinctive characteristics of the peninsula, which includes the wettest area in the continental United States (the Hoh Rainforest) and one of the driest areas in Washington (the city of Sequim receives less than 16 inches of rain in an average year).

The cabins at Kalaloch require advance planning to secure, but the stay is worth the foresight. Photo credit: Jessica Corey-Butler

In addition to huge fluctuations in precipitation, the Olympic Peninsula boasts a wide variety of places to stay, with variances in population and services available.

Stopping through towns as you explore the Highway 101 loop, you can find everything from motels down to rustic camping; fine dining to delis and grocery stores to mom-and-pop resort shops.  This makes it easy to tailor a trip to most any lifestyle and budget. Advance planning is key whether camping or hoteling it: Campgrounds abound, but fill up quickly, as do hotels and motels during peak holiday weekends.  

Climb through rock holes and find beach treasures galore at Rialto Beach. Photo credit: www.summitpost.org

On the "budget trip" side of the spectrum, consider stocking a cooler of beverages, a fishing pole and sandwich fixings and heading to Lake Crescent for a picnic on the dock.  Start out by crossing the Narrows Bridge from the Tacoma side, and you won't have to pay a toll fee.  You can head home by completing the Highway 101 loop, stopping to snap pictures of the Forks sign (just to say you've been to the Twilight town), sand between your toes at one of the many beaches and maybe one last shot of the City of Aberdeen to pay homage to the hometown of Nirvana (if you're into that sort of thing).

If mountains and hiking are more your thing, don't miss the Hoh Rainforest (but don't forget your rain gear!)  A drive up to the top of the Olympic Mountains to Hurricane Ridge also offers plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, hiking and exploration.  Clear days bring the dual treats of looking down into the mountains themselves and seeing the water and Vancouver Island as you drive back down.  At the top of Hurricane Ridge, you can choose a short, paved hiking route with beautiful scenic views, or you can venture down to one of the more challenging trailheads midway up the drive.

A hiker’s paradise, Hurricane Ridge is a popular summer attraction in the Olympic Peninsula. Photo credit: www.exotichikes.com

To get to Hurricane Ridge, you will have gone through Port Angeles.  Here, you can find a wide range of restaurants and amenities for any palate or need. Enjoy Thai tapas or crepes, take a stroll through an eclectic shopping district or get your toes sandy at the public beach.  

But if sandy toes are what you're after, you can't go wrong with a stop to Kalaloch.  Staying overnight? Advance planning can get you a room at the Inn - a cabin on a bluff overlooking the ocean or a campsite.  Another beach destination worth the trip is Rialto Beach.  Low tide brings out tidepools and critters on this rocky beach; there's also a literal hole in a huge wall you can clamber through.  Plan accordingly: Getting stranded as the tide comes in is one sure way to ruin a perfectly fun afternoon.  

Wherever your tastes for adventure run, the Olympic Peninsula has a range of options and a surplus of beauty to make the drive worthwhile!