Pine needles vs. Space Needle: These Seattle-bound travelers took a detour
We opted for a trip around the Olympic Peninsula while a COVID surge gripped the city. Weâre so glad we did.
By Diane Bair Globe Correspondent,Updated May 19, 2021, 2:44 p.m.
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Ruby Beach, fronting the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, is one of the most-photographed beaches on the West Coast. Stop at any of the beaches on this string â theyâre all eerily beautiful.Diane Bair
This was meant to be a girlfriendâs getaway to Seattle. But as the flight grew near (our first post-vaccination flight), enthusiasm waned. Seattle was experiencing a COVID surge and enacting restrictions â an ominous sign â and did we really want to spend our precious, long-awaited vacation days dodging crowds in an unfamiliar city?
The 11 best hikes in Olympic National Park
Lonely Planet Editors
about 13 hours ago
Simply by virtue of its name Olympic National Park conjures up a sense of mythological grandeur, named for the mountain which the ancient Greeks believed was home to a pantheon of gods. The Washingtonian version doesn t disappoint, full of towering rock talluses, moss-strewn trees and wild, rushing rivers that wind their way to the vast maw of the Pacific.Â
If you re itching to experience everything Olympic National Park has to offer, from beachy sea stacks to waterfalls and ancient petroglyphs carved by the Makah people, these trails can teach you a lot. Whether you re looking for a wheelchair-accessible nature stroll or a strenuous backpacking trip, these are the best hiking trails in Olympic National Park.
Starting point: 170 miles from Seattle
The Route
Freeways have on-ramps, but beaches have access roads. Those in Long Beach, Klipsan Beach, Ocean Park, and Surfside Estatesâa 13.5-mile stretchâallow cars all year long, but sections both north and south close April 15 through Labor Day (some open during razor clam season). Closed sections may protect habitat for snowy plover birds.
The best beach drives happen outside of prime kite-flying season in the summer, and with an eye on the tides. Try entering at Cranberry Road and heading north, avoiding the crowds of Long Beach proper, then circling back to town on regular roads for Dylanâs Cottage Bakeryâs signature sweets.
Scenic Pacific Northwest mountain Airbnb rentals
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March 13, 2021
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Fillmore s Landing @ Mt. RainierCourtesy Airbnb
Want to enjoy this last stretch of snow for a weekend full of skiing or tubing? Or perhaps your ideal getaway involves hitting riverside trails surrounded by rainforest. Whatever your perfect mountain retreat entails, you needn’t break the bank for a cozy family vacation.
With a scenic mountain Airbnb rental, you can feed the family with homecooked meals, tell bedtime stories accompanied with s’mores at the firepit, and enjoy a whole home experience with close proximity to area attractions. Plus, with Airbnb’s new safety standards in place, your family can enjoy a private cottage away from other travelers.