Small cities in Olympic Peninsula (Olympia, Port Angeles: RV park, 2013, rental)

[themaskedman55]

I know this forum is mostly for those who are moving or relocating and not really for vacation questions, but my Washington friends decided, I guess, not to return my emails so I need some help. We're a young couple and as part of our goal to visit all 50 states we'll be going to Washington and Oregon this summer. We want to stay in a nice charming small town somewhere on the Olympic peninsula. Driving isn't an issue but there needs to be reasonable accommodation (downtown accommodation is preferred). Three cities I've found so far researching are Port Townsend (which seems great but touristy and moderately expensive) and Port Angeles and Sequim (which I can't find a lot about their pros and cons.) We like exploring local culture and water-related activities.

Thank you!

[prosin]

Lots of great options on the Olympic Peninsula! My choices (in order) would be: Port Townsend, Port Angeles, then Sequim. The downtown cores of PT and PA are larger and both have hotels in downtown. Sequim's hotels seem to me to be to the west and east ends of town, not downtown.

So many things to do in each of the three locations. PT has Fort Warden State Park, PA has the entrance to Hurricane Ridge (easy to difficult hiking), and Sequim has the lavender farms and wineries. So really, it just depends on what you are looking for.

You mentioned water-related activities, and I am assuming you mean kayaking/paddle boarding or sailing as opposed to water skiing. Here are some links for water sports and other outdoor activities for each locale:

Port Townsend:
Port Townsend Washington Activities - Go Northwest! A Travel Guide

Port Angeles:
Olympic Discovery Trail ODT | Washington Bike & Multi-use Trail System
http://www.portangeles.org/downloads/pavisitorguide.pdf
Sound Bikes & Kayaks, located on the Olympic Peninsula in Port Angeles, WA.

Sequim:
Sequim Tourism, WA - Official Website - Kayak

And a general one for the Kitsap and Key Peninsulas (Kingston, Poulsbo, Gig Harbor):
Escapes: Best Northwest Getaways | Outdoors NW

Enjoy your stay and hope you have a great time!

[Hemlock140]

I agree with Prosin and that order. Have a ghostly adventure and stay at the Palace Hotel in Port Townsend, or Manresa Castle. In Port Angeles watch out for the really cheap motels, they are pretty bad. if you are on a tight budget stay at Super 8 but nothing cheaper. Port Townsend is the only one of the 3 with actual downtown lodging but the others have places within walking distance.

[Inkpoe]

Don't forget the Hot Springs in PA area! They're awesome.

[poopskooper]

Not sure how long you are going to be spending in Washington. If you have lots of time, are driving, and are coming up from Oregon, you might consider making the U.S. 101 loop as you'd get to see a lot of scenery along the way to and from those three towns that have been discussed.

Coming up through Astoria, continue on U.S. 101 to Ilwaco and the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, South Bend, Raymond, Aberdeen/Hoquiam, Lake Quinault, Kalahloch Lodge (stay here if you can), Hoh River, Bogachiel River, Forks (you've probably heard of this place ), Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Hot Springs (make this side trip if you can), "the three cities already mentioned," then to Quilcene, and then a great drive along Hood Canal and the towns of Brinnon (Dosewallips State Park area), Lilliwaup, Hoodsport, Potlach State Park, and on to the Skokomish Indian Reservation (casino/hotel, ok but the Squaxin Tribe's Little Creek Casino is bigger and considered better), then to Shelton, on to Squaxin/Little Creek/Kamilche (hotel/casino/Reservation), and finally to Olympia, the state capital.

Just a route you might consider if you have the time. Other may not agree with my opinions and suggestions so please take it with a grain of salt and disregard if necessary.

[themaskedman55]

Thank you so much for your responses! We'll be most defintely referring to them when planning the actual itinerary. I'm currently torn between Port Angeles and Port Townsend, just because the brochure posted here said there is a ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, BC and it is cheap! That sounds awesome. But Port Townsend is just a beautiful city from Google Images, perfect charming Victorian that I love.

Thanks again!

[Hemlock140]

Victoria is defiintely worth a trip, but if you are into gardens at all, you would need a couple of days there in order to see not only the city but Butchart Gardens. You do need a passport now to cross the border.

The Butchart Gardens - Home

[rainforest338]

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

Don't forget the Hot Springs in PA area! They're awesome.

Olympic Hot Springs on the Elwha have to be accessed from the Sol Duc. Sol Duc has its own hot springs and a nice resort as well as rental cabins. There are also park resorts on Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault.

[Fairwinds]

Just to let you know, due to the Elwha Dam removal project, the road to Olympic hotsprings is closed. You need to go on the Olympic National Park website to see when it's scheduled to be re-opened. You can still visit Sol Duc Hotsprings and resort if you don't mind "hotsprings in a swimming pool" surrounded by a resort and restaurant. You can still hike to the Olympic Hotsprings thru Appleton Pass, if you like long hikes and a series of shallow, natural hotsprings (bathtub deep) to soak in. Olympic National Park's Olympic Hot Springs Road past Altair campground closes Monday -- Port Angeles Port Townsend Sequim Forks Jefferson County Clallam County Olympic Peninsula Daily NEWS

There are four fantastic Olympic National Park Lodges to stay in if you love the historic lodges like I do!

This lodge overlooks beautiful Lake Quinault
Lake Quinault Lodge - Accommodations - Olympicnationalparks.com

This lodge overlooks the Pacific Ocean with a beautiful walkable beach.
Olympic Peninsula Lodging | Kalaloch Cabins | Kalaloch Lodge Official Site website

This site lists the four lodges, I suggest going to the lodges individual sites to get the really good deals!
Some of the lodges have fantastic off-season specials. You will need reservations during peak summer and holidays times. I don't think a trip to the Olympic Peninsula would be complete without staying at least one night in one of these historic lodges!

Olympic National Park Lodging | Olympic National Park | National Park Reservations

For Olympic National Park information: Plan Your Visit - Olympic National Park

If I wanted to stay in a historic hotel downtown on the Olympic Peninsula, I would choose Port Townsend, Manresa Castle Comfortable Accommodations, Romantic Getaway, Picturesque Setting in Port Townsend, Washington for Weddings & Celebrations at the Manresa Castle

or the Ann Starrett Mansion
Ann Starrett Mansion - Home Page

but then, I love beautiful historic architecture with a few "ghosts" thrown in just to keep it interesting! Do your own research and I'm sure you'll find many places that suit your style and price range. Keep in mind that you can have the best for less if you shop for deals and travel off-peak. If price is an issue, plan on camping some but do bring a tent (rain insurance) and make reservations because the good WA State Park Campgrounds fill up fast on the Olympic Peninsula in summer. There's no campgrounds within close walking distance of downtown Port Townsend, Port Angeles or Sequim that I'm aware of, unless you have an RV and stay at a private RV park and then you're still a couple of miles out of town.
I hope you have a great trip and don't forget to bring your bicycles!

[Fairwinds]

I forgot to add that if you plan on staying a night or two in Port Angeles, the Olympic Lodge is my pick for reasonable rates (with AAA, AARP, Military discounts) and luxury. Olympic Lodge at Olympic National Park - Port Angeles - USA

I live on the Olympic Peninsula and have done a lot of research on lodging for my budget minded friends and family. Like one of the previous posters said, try to avoid the really cheap places, some have bed bugs! My favorites are B & Bs and boutique hotels. When traveling, I camp as much as possible and save my money to stay one or two nights in a really nice lodge, complete with a fabulous breakfast or dinner. I'd rather sleep in a tent in my cozy sleeping bag then say in a low budget motel with bed bugs and sticky carpets!