destinations neighbourhood
M
ountains swoop down
and kiss the ocean at
Port Angeles, just an
hour-and-a-half by ferry from
Victoria. Set on the northern edge
of Washington's Olympic Peninsula,
the small city is an outdoor lover's
paradise with the Strait of Juan de
Fuca out its front door and the
glacier-capped peaks of Olympic
National Park out back.
Hike
Fall is the best time to hike the local
mountains. Days are cooler and alpine
meadows turn orange, gold and crimson.
Deer, marmots and mountain goats are easy
to spot above the tree line, while elk, black
bear and cougar roam the valleys. Not sure
where to start? Experience Olympic Tours
(experienceolympic.com) can tailor a hike
to your interests and ability.
Bike
Cycle through fragrant forest and farmland,
over rivers and along the seashore on the
Olympic Discovery Trail (olympic
discoverytrail.com). The multi-use trail will
eventually span about 200 kilometres along
the northern edge of the Olympic Peninsula.
Stay
The Downtown Hotel (portangeles
downtownhotel.com) isn't fancy but it's
clean and within spitting distance of the
Victoria ferry terminal. What you save here
can be splurged another night at Sol Duc
Hot Springs, 65 km west of Port Angeles
(olympicnationalparks.com). Soak your
aching muscles in the mineral-rich water,
then hit the sack in a comfortable cabin in
the rainforest.
DiScover LocaL cuLture
Port Angeles was once the site of a thriving
aboriginal village. The Lower Elwha
Klallam Tribe continues to have a proud
presence. View artifacts from their ancient
village, Tse-whit-zen, and buy locally made
crafts at the Lower Elwha Gallery & Gift
(elwhagallery.com). For a taste of
contemporary art, visit the Port Angeles
Fine Arts Center (pafac.org) on a bluff
overlooking the city.
n – Suzanne Morphet
20 bca a .com fall 2015 (top left) Dungeness crab & Seafood Festival, Suzanne morphet
Port Angeles
Soak up the great outdoors at this scenic coastal
community on Washington's olympic Peninsula
Protect yourself on any trip across the
border. Members save 10% on BCAA Travel
Insurance. bcaa.com/travel
MEMBERS SAVE
(clockwise from top) feast
at the Dungeness Crab &
Seafood festival; take in
the views at Olympic
National Park; spot wildlife
along the Olympic
Discovery Trail.
Eat
Time your visit to
coincide with the
Dungeness Crab &
Seafood festival from
october 9 to 11
(crabfestival.org). The
annual festival celebrates
the tasty crustacean
with music, art and of
course, buckets of crab
and other ocean
goodies. If you miss it,
the seafood benny at
The Cornerhouse
Restaurant
(360-452-9692) is the
next best thing.
