A coastal town on Washington's Olympic Peninsula with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Gateway to Olympic National Park's rainforests and mountains.
Port Angeles sits on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Olympic Mountains. From downtown, you can hike Hurricane Ridge's mountain trails, take a ferry to Victoria, Canada, walk the three-mile Ediz Hook sand spit, or browse art galleries on First Street. The city's position near Olympic National Park puts you within reach of alpine meadows, rainforests, and Pacific beaches.
Getting to Port Angeles
You can drive to Port Angeles via Highway 101, which loops around the Olympic Peninsula. The MV Coho ferry crosses to Victoria, British Columbia four times daily across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Small aircraft and private planes land at William R. Fairchild International Airport. The nearest major commercial airport is Seattle-Tacoma International, about 2.5 hours away by car.
Weather and Timing Your Visit
The Olympic Mountains block rain clouds from reaching Port Angeles, creating a dry zone with only 25 inches of annual rainfall. Summer days reach around 70°F (21°C) with clear skies, drawing the most visitors. Winter brings occasional snow between November and February, with temperatures staying mostly above freezing.
Downtown and Waterfront
First Street and Lincoln Street form the heart of downtown Port Angeles. You'll find outdoor equipment stores, art studios, and bookshops along these streets. Walk out onto City Pier for harbor views, or stop at the Feiro Marine Life Center to touch sea stars and anemones in their interactive tanks.
Olympic National Park Access
Drive 17 miles up Hurricane Ridge Road to reach the Olympic National Park's northern visitor center. Trails range from 20-minute meadow walks to full-day mountain treks. You can explore the park's rainforests, mountains, and beaches in day trips from Port Angeles. Park rangers lead walks in summer and guide winter activities when snow covers the trails.
Marine Activities
The three-mile Ediz Hook road curves into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, ending at a small beach. Watch container ships pass through the strait, spot seals sunbathing on rocks, or search for beach treasures along the shore. Between March and October, you can join whale-watching tours or rent kayaks from the harbor.
Local Food
Restaurants in Port Angeles specialize in Dungeness crab caught daily in nearby waters. From May through October, farmers from Sequim Valley sell fresh produce at the Wednesday and Saturday market. Several downtown cafes maintain the Pacific Northwest coffee tradition by roasting their beans on-site.
Cultural Sites
Walk through Port Angeles' past at the Museum at the Carnegie, which displays tools and artifacts from Native American tribes and early settlers. The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center sits in a 1951 hillside house, with walking paths winding through its outdoor sculpture collection. Take the underground tour beneath city sidewalks to see the street level from the early 1900s, when the city raised its roads.
