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My adventure to the Grays Harbor area of Washington State proved that you don’t need to travel far or have a fat wallet for a refreshing getaway.
My destination? Ocean Shores, a mere 131 miles from Seattle, where outdoor activities are as abundant as seashells on the beach. Hiking, swimming, surfing, kite-flying, and camping lure fortunate travelers.
I opted for a cozy hotel rather than camping because the weather was a brisk 29 degrees when I drove in wintertime.
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Accommodations at Ocean Shores
I struck gold with the Ocean Shores Quinault Beach Resort and Casino. This peach-colored gem offered wallet-friendly weekday rates. Snag discounts like AAA or senior rates for rooms under $100.
The rooms were spacious and had gas fireplaces. Compare that to other spots like Iron Springs Resort cabins on Copalis Beach, which start at well over $200, and that’s during the low season.
Exploring Ocean Shores
Ocean Shores is known for its long Pacific beach and network of navigable lakes and waterways. Each day, the sun lured me to the beach like a magnet. The hotel’s best feature was its proximity to the sandy shoreline.
The trail stretched farther than the eye could see and was rich with oysters, clams, and seabirds. The restorative nature of this sandy beach can be a tonic for the soul. I walked daily, relishing the sound of roaring waves filling the air with boisterous crashes.
The main restaurant was a tad pricey, but the resort has a captive audience. The serving sizes were fit for a lumberjack. If you registered for a little gambling, the hotel offered dining discounts that also covered the coffee shop and bistro.
Discovering Nearby Attractions
After indulging in the leisure of Ocean Shores, I drove north along the beach. Just north are Ocean City State Park’s shore pine trees and dunes, a year-round, 170-acre camping park.
It’s a haven for migratory birds. The town of Ocean City is a destination for families. It’s a child’s paradise with bumper cars, cinemas, bike rentals, and pedal carts.
Farther north, I inhaled the crisp ocean air at Copalis Beach, where horseback riders and cars shared the coastline.
And the drive to Roosevelt Beach? That was like something out of a fairy tale. Dense woods of cedar, spruce, fir, maple, and hemlock danced in the clearings. There, birch trees, draped in white lichen and moss, stood like ghostly sentinels.
Festivals and Cultural Experiences
Pacific Beach has a “Chocolate on the Beach Festival” that’s worth planning around. When the 2025 date is announced, prepare for The Chocolate Walk on Main Street. Don’t worry about the snacks along the way if you’re walking.
Almost to Moclips is the recently established planned community of Seabrook. Its spacious vacation homes lure open-air enthusiasts from far and wide to enjoy the biking, hiking, and walking trails.
The Moclips Fish Hatchery rolled out the welcome mat for visitors to tour the facility. Its displays of native life introduce travelers to Native American culture.
Up the road, the Taholah Museum showcased treasures from the seven Quinault tribes. There is no charge for a visit to either the hatchery or the museum.
Further Adventures Along Grays Harbor
Taholah marks the end of the road for seaside communities before heading inland to Lake Quinault.
It’s easy to explore those northern beaches in a day. I returned to Ocean Shores for the evening. The next day, I set off to the east along Grays Harbor. I was searching for breakfast, so I drove to Hoquiam, where I found Simpson Ave Grill.
It not only serves a reasonably priced breakfast but also has bar drinks on the menu. I’d not seen that before, and I’d also not had breakfast at a grill in Hoquiam before.
The Maritime Charm of Hoquiam
What captivated me in Hoquiam was its maritime presence. Tugboats, fishing boats, and mounds of oyster shells at Lytle Oyster Seafoods told stories of vigorous activity. Hoquiam is almost contiguous to the city of Aberdeen.
The two cities share a common economic history in lumbering and exporting. Both were once major Weyerhaeuser logging export towns. Today, the logging industry has given way to nail salons and hotels like the Snore and Whisker Hotel.
Heading South to Westport
Heading south, I passed by Brady’s Oysters, where more oyster shells piled up like snow drifts. Westport Winery offers tours and wine tastings for a moderate fee. But the real jackpot awaited in Westport, a cozy little beach town with sandy beaches, surfing, and fishing.
You need to park–free for three hours–and walk the docks. Charter boats beckon for some epic salmon fishing. The floats also buzz with trucks loading crab pots onto boats for serious crabbing action.
My timing was impeccable. I watched the Department of Marine Wildlife lower tubes containing young coho into the department’s net pens at the dock. These salmon mature there and swim free in April when the pens open.
They then return in September, ready for the sports fishermen. Fishermen angle for them in boats or on foot from the jetty near the dock. People also dip their crab pots into the water at these same floats. There is no charge for fishing or crabbing on the floats.
The Waterfront and Beyond
Along the waterfront, behind Granny Hazel’s Candy and Gifts is the Aquarium, where admission is $8.00 for adults and $6.00 for children and seniors. At the end of the waterfront stands the cherry on top: the Westport Viewing Tower, offering a spectacular port vista.
Dinner at Bennett’s Fish Shack on the waterfront in Westport was reasonable, with hearty entrées under $20. Westport was the southernmost point I visited in Grays Harbor, saving additional Oceanside towns for the next foray.
This journey proved that adventure and relaxation don’t require a significant financial commitment. My budget-friendly getaway involved a few economical nights’ stay. I added some affordable meals, a little gas, and the pleasure of beach walks.
Then, I threw in the multitude of outside adventures, and it became an ocean of opportunities.
When You Go
Check whether seasons are open and licenses are needed.
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
- Bennett’s Fish Shack—several locations
- Simpson Ave Grill—Hoquiam
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Author Bio: Marcia McGreevy Lewis (she/her) lives in Seattle and is a retired feature writer for a Washington newspaper. She enjoys committing her adventures to writing for literary journals, magazines, travel sites, and books. Reach her on Facebook and Instagram: marcialewis25, Twitter: @McGreevyLewis and Linkedin: marcia-lewis.
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