Follow Your Senses Along the Road Less Traveled

Driving the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway Loop
More commonly known as U.S. Route 101, the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway traverses the east, west and north sides of the Olympic Peninsula in a 284 mile loop, which begins in Olympia and terminates in Aberdeen, located on the Peninsula's southern edge, or vice-versa. Highway 12, running east/west from Aberdeen to just east of Olympia, completes the loop. The distance, though ideal for a leisurely three-day weekend or longer vacation, can be traveled in just two days with plenty of opportunity for enjoying the spectacular spring scenery and several attractions along the way.

A Feast for the Senses
Approximately 61 miles north of Olympia, the journey along the Peninsula's east side begins with Brinnon and Quilcene, neighboring small towns nestled along scenic Hood Canal on the eastern edge of the Olympic National Forest. Here, more than 220 Roosevelt elk migrate along the Dosewallips, Ducabush and Hamma Hamma Rivers in three herds. In the spring, the elk are often visible from U.S. Route 101, wandering amongst the tide flats and foraging in salt marshes.

For gardening enthusiasts, Brinnon's seven acre Whitney Gardens is a must see. There visitors will experience the most beautiful array of rhododendron hybrids and species in the Northwest. Rhododendrons begin blooming in February; the peak bloom of fragrant "Rhodies" is in early May. Strolling along wheelchair accessible sand and gravel pathways, visitors will also enjoy rare trees and an abundance of azaleas, magnolias, maples, conifers, camellias and more. For tours and additional information, visit www.whitneygardens.com.

Departing Quilcene and traveling approximately 10 miles north on the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, visitors can opt for a side trip to the resort towns of Port Ludlow and Port Hadlock via
WA-104 E. Golf, kayaking and scenic boat tours are just a few of the activities waiting to be enjoyed. Dinner and perhaps an overnight stay at The Resort at Port Ludlow or the Inn at Port Hadlock, two of the Peninsula's premier properties, are the perfect ending to the first day of the journey.

Next morning, the 10 mile drive to the Victorian Seaport Town of Port Townsend via WA-19 (which turns into WA-20) provides an opportunity to digest the area's historic architecture as well as a hearty homemade breakfast at one of several unique eateries. Afterwards there's time to peruse the quaint shops that line the historic downtown streets and fill the lungs with salty sea air before returning to the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway and exploring the Peninsula's north side.

The return of migratory birds to the Pacific Northwest is a welcome sign that spring is on the way, and the Olympic Peninsula leads Washington State in both winter and spring bird counts. The city of Sequim, located a half-hour southwest of Port Townsend via WA-20 and U.S. Route 101, is home to the Dungeness River Audubon Center. The center serves as "Bird Central" for the annual Olympic Peninsula BirdFest, a three-day bird watching extravaganza offering birders of all levels the opportunity to observe the returning birds via a series of expert-led field trips, boat excursions and presentations around the Olympic Peninsula. BirdFest 2008 will take place April 4 - 6. For further information, visit www.olympicbirdfest.org.

A herd of Roosevelt elk consider the Sequim area their range. The animals move about in the foothills east of the Dungeness River, south to Blyn, east of the City of Sequim and north to Port Williams Road. When not in the forest, they graze in farm fields and on lawns! The best locations for elk viewing tend to be along Happy Valley Road and the surrounding hills, West Sequim Bay Road, Palo Alto Road, and north toward Port Williams Road.

Sequim is also known as the "Lavender Capital of North America". Each summer the city hosts the largest lavender festival in North America with eight lavender farms on tour. Though the lavender blooms during the summer months, lavender products are available in Sequim year 'round. These include culinary lavender, lavender oil, skin and bath products and more.

Continuing westward on U.S. Route 101 along the Peninsula's north side presents the opportunity to sample locally-made wines. Seven artisan wineries call the Olympic Peninsula home, with five located along a 21-mile stretch between Sequim and Port Angeles. The wineries are known for warm hospitality and a relaxed atmosphere, and visitors will often find the winemaker himself/herself pouring samples and answering questions about the wine and the local area.

The Olympic Peninsula Wineries Association will host its annual Spring Barrel Tasting Tour over Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26. For more information or to order optional reserve tickets, visit www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org.

Just over an hour's drive from Port Angeles, Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort is the place to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Easily accessed from U.S. Route 101, the resort lies 12 miles within the heart of Olympic National Park and opens on March 28 for the 2008 season. Following a leisurely dinner at the resort's Springs Restaurant, guests can enjoy soaking in two natural warm water mineral pools surrounded by forest, while listening to the sound of the Sol Duc River.
After a good night's sleep, a morning hike through the old-growth rainforest to view
Sol Duc Falls provides a vibrant start to the day. Sol Duc is a stunning signature falls of national prominence in Olympic National Park. In contrast to most falls on the Olympic Peninsula, Sol Duc is viewed from a bridge just above stream level. The falls are particularly spectacular in spring, as they thunder with snow melt.
Back on the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, day three is reserved for exploring the wild ocean beaches of the Peninsula's west side, and further exploration of the Hoh Rain Forest. An hour and a half drive from Sol Duc Hot Springs lies the Quileute Indian village of La Push, accessible from U.S. Route 101 via La Push Road/WA-110, and First Beach, a mile-long crescent known for surfing-size waves and great whale watching, especially from February through April. Kayakers, surfers and seals often add to the view. Second Beach, just east of La Push, is popular with photographers and is reached by way of a .7 mile forested trail that leads to a
2-mile long sandy stretch of beach.
Returning to Hwy. 101 and continuing southward, travelers will drive past the rural community of Forks, site of RainFest, an annual celebration of the arts featuring the Piecemakers Quilt Show. Rainfest 2008 will take place April 25 - 27. For further information contact the Forks Chamber of Commerce at 360.374.2531.

Among the only protected temperate rain forests in the Northern Hemisphere, the Hoh Rain Forest is a not-to-be-missed attraction on the Peninsula's west side.

Moisture-laden air from the Pacific brings an average of 140 inches of annual rainfall to the Hoh Valley, (record of 190 inches) in addition to condensed mist that contributes another 30 inches.
The Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center is located south of Forks and 19 miles inland from U.S. Route 101.

Three loop trails near the Visitor Center are easy to stroll and provide a great sampling of the area: The Hall of Mosses Trail is ¾ mile and exhibits the moss-draped maples, magically green in the spring, spectacular with color in the fall and a treat any time of year; the 1 ¼ mile Spruce Nature Trail meanders through the younger forests of red alder and cottonwood, showing the landscape carved over thousands of years by the glacier-fed Hoh River; and a the paved ¼ mile Nature Path is suitable for a wheelchair or stroller.

Scenic ocean shores with easy access are found in the Kalaloch area, 15 miles south of the Rain Forest Road on U.S. Route 101. Beach Trail 4 runs along a pebble beach with dramatic surf and tidal pools, and is a popular place to dip for Smelt

Perched high on a bluff just steps from the beach, the restaurant at Kalaloch Lodge features delicious Northwest cuisine and stunning ocean views. It's the ideal place to toast the end of a spring getaway that is truly a feast for the senses.

From Kalaloch, relax and enjoy the 76 mile drive along Hwy. 101 to Aberdeen and the Hwy. 12 junction. An hour's drive east on Hwy. 12 leads back Olympia and I5.

Lodging Specials
The Olympic Peninsula offers a variety of lodging venues including hotels and lodges, B&Bs, cabins and camping facilities. Visit the specials page for seasonal lodging specials.