Olympic National Park
Pacific Coast
On the Pacific coast, narrow strips of Olympic National Park have miles of scenic beaches, with driftwood logs and pebbles worn smooth by the sea. Not swimming beaches, weirdly-shaped rocks and waves rolling in will inspire kid's imaginations. Tip: Even in summer, days can be misty and cool at the coast, bring clothes to stay warm.
Ruby Beach - This is a stunning beach for its “sea stacks,” weather-beaten pillars of rock jutting from beneath the waves, ancient sentinels maintaining an eternal watch.
It's a short hike through the woods down the beach, where kids can build driftwood forts, pile up beach stones, and sit on a log to have lunch.
Kalaloch - Go to Kalaloch Beach, a wide, smooth sandy beach, where a creek flows into the sea, and driftwood logs piled hither and yon.
Beach 4 at Kalaloch is the place to explore tide pools with sea stars and sea anemones (check the tide tables so you'll be at the beach at low tide).
Whale watching – From the bluffs above Kalaloch beaches, bring your binoculars, and look for migrating gray whales, April and May (May is the best month).
