Rainforests, Alpine Peaks & Mountain Passes

Start in the Hoh Rain Forest — walk the Hall of Mosses trail, where 200-year-old big-leaf maples drip with emerald moss curtains, then follow the Hoh River Trail into old-growth Sitka spruce. In the afternoon, drive to Ruby Beach for the park's wild Pacific coastline: enormous sea stacks, tide pools, and bald eagles riding the thermals above the treeline. Bring layers — the coast runs 10°F cooler than the rainforest.

Witness dramatic tidal currents and stunning water views while hiking through old-growth forests just an hour north of the city.

Walk seaside trails through old-growth forest, then descend to rocky shores to explore tide pools teeming with starfish and anemones. Picnic on bluffs overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca with views of the San Juan Islands.

Savor ultra-fresh, sustainably sourced seafood in a casual waterfront setting that captures the authentic charm of coastal dining.

Loop the forested 2.2-mile perimeter trail around this rocky headland jutting into Rosario Strait, with open views across the San Juan Islands channel and Cypress Island. The west-facing bluffs catch the morning light and on clear days you can see the outline of the Olympic Mountains across the water. Short side spurs drop to tide pools where sea stars and purple urchins cluster in the crevices.

Pull up a stool at this downtown Anacortes taproom for wood-fired pizza and a pint of locally brewed Pacific Northwest ale. The tap list rotates seasonally and the food pairs well with a morning on the water — a reliable, unhurried stop in a walkable small town before the drive south.

Walk the flat 2.2-mile dike trail along the edge of one of Washington's largest eelgrass estuaries, home to dunlin, brant geese, and great blue herons. At low tide the mud flats stretch hundreds of yards into Padilla Bay and the Cascades fill the eastern skyline — Mount Baker, if it's clear, is an unmistakable white pyramid above the valley. A peaceful, easy walk before the drive back to Seattle.