Sequim (Summer)

Sequim spreads out under a swath of blue on the north coast of Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Here along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the town sees far more sun than most of western Washington, which is particularly noteworthy since it is so close to the Olympic National Park's Hoh Rainforest. This fortunate setting favors the growth of farming, especially of lavender, and makes Sequim an enchanting destination for hiking, biking, kayaking, and even golf. Located so close to the national park, it's an ideal spot to shake off the moisture and clear out the moss after camping and hiking. Take a ...

Sequim spreads out under a swath of blue on the north coast of Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Here along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the town sees far more sun than most of western Washington, which is particularly noteworthy since it is so close to the Olympic National Park's Hoh Rainforest. This fortunate setting favors the growth of farming, especially of lavender, and makes Sequim an enchanting destination for hiking, biking, kayaking, and even golf. Located so close to the national park, it's an ideal spot to shake off the moisture and clear out the moss after camping and hiking. Take a walk or ride your bike along the Olympic Discovery Trail. It's currently open between Sequim and Port Angeles but will soon extend to Port Townsend. Good hiking and views can be found at nearby Hurricane Ridge. Sequim also sits under a major bird flyway and the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge protects many resident birds among the 250 species identified. Learn more about birds and their habitats at the Dungeness River Audubon Center. A large herd of elk roam the sunny valley, too; Elk Crossing signal lights have been set up along the highway to protect beasts and passing motorists. If the peninsula's almost perpetual cloud cover gets you down, Sequim may be your place to get out and see the light again.

About the Expert

Myra Ingmanson and Daniel C. Schechter worked together on various titles for Lonely Planet, particularly the Pacific Northwest and Mexico books. Together they coauthored chapters for Lonely Planet's Eastern Caribbean.