Located on Washington State's Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles is known as the gateway to all that Olympic National Park has to offer. By ferry, Port Angeles is located 18 mi (28 km) from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and 76 mi (122 km) from Seattle, WA. Offering plenty of outdoor activities and tours, visitors will have endless recreational opportunities. For those not keen on outdoor pursuits, fun and entertainment awaits in Port Angeles' art galleries, theaters, science centers and shopping venues. Visitors will find themselves in the center of it all.
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Port Angeles at Sunset1 |
HISTORY
With a long and colorful past, Port Angeles' history begins with what is now known as Hollywood Beach. This was the location used by the Lower Elwha S'Klallam Tribe as a fishing village. Fishing later became a major industry for Port Angeles. In 1791, Don Francisco de Eliza discovered the city's deep water harbor, which became the importing and exporting area.
By executive order in 1862, Abraham Lincoln declared Port Angeles a townsite. During this time a large portion of the land was held as a military reserve until 1890 when the pioneers arrived. On June 11th of that year, Port Angeles was officially incorporated as a city, as well as being declared the United States' second city. That meant if anything happened to Washington DC, Port Angeles would become the capital of the USA.
In 1894, Congress allowed the sale of lots, which encouraged the development and prosperity of the area. The city's economy depended largely on trade, fishing and the forestry industries. Port Angeles' forests provided cities such as San Francisco and Seattle with building materials.
Over the years, many tourists have visited attractions such as Mt. Olympus National Monument, founded by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909, which later became Olympic National Park in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Today the forestry and fishing industries have slowed down in Port Angeles, mainly due to concerns for the surrounding natural area however, Port Angeles' harbor remains a powerful force in trade and commerce.
CLIMATE
Expect to experience a coastal climate when visiting Port Angeles. The local weather is affected by the surrounding water and mountains, allowing comfortable temperatures year-round. Rising over 7,000 ft (2,134 m), the majestic Olympic Mountains create a rain shadow effect for the region. A rain shadow effect is when winds carry air masses up and over a mountain range. When the temperature falls, the air that was driven upwards looses most of its moisture as precipitation. Once it reaches the downwind side of the mountain, the dry air picks up any available moisture from the landscape below. This results in precipitation on the windward side of the mountain while the downwind side experiences dry, moisture-poor air.
The yearly average rain fall for Port Angeles is 25 in (63.5 cm). January wintertime lows average around 33ºF (0ºC), while summertime highs reach up to a pleasant 69ºF (20ºC) in July. The Port Angeles climate is suitable for most people as well as the local vegetation, making gardening a favorite hobby among locals.
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| Getting a Lift Up Hurricane Ridge2 |
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TRANSPORTATION
Port Angeles is conveniently accessed by air, land and sea. Located close to many of the areas accommodation options, the Fairchild International Airport is serviced by charter companies offering flights for both the leisure and business traveler. Scenic flights are offered by Kenmore Air and Rite Brothers Airlines.
Renting a car and driving to and around Port Angeles is another option. Motorcoaches are ideal for those wanting to relax and still travel by land, while water enthusiasts will enjoy sightseeing on a ferry. Services to and from Port Angeles and the surrounding areas are offered by MV Coho and the Victoria Express.
Once in Port Angeles, Clallam Transit offers bus service on the North Olympic Peninsula, including to and from Sequim and Forks, WA.
ATTRACTIONS
Olympic National Park
Port Angeles is known as the gateway to Olympic National Park, while open year-round, travelers should note that during winter months, some roads and facilities are closed. Featuring scenic alpine and coastal wilderness, there is much to do in this 922,000 acres (373120 ha) park. Olympic National Park's immensity may intimidate some people but for those wanting to simply drive around it, there is a road that surrounds the whole park on Highway 101. The interior of the Peninsula has no road that goes all the way through it.
Upon arriving, travelers will have three unique areas of the park with several popular attractions to explore; the glaciered mountains and high country interior (Hurricane Ridge), the lush rain forest (Hoh Rain Forest) and the rugged wilderness coastline (Rialto Beach).
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The Luscious and Green Hoh Rain Forest3 |
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane ridge offers breathtaking views of the high country and the Olympic Mountains. Located 17 mi (27 km) south of Port Angeles, the 1 mi (2 km) high Hurricane Ridge offers opportunities for exciting winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding.
The ski area is small but is perfect for families looking to experience quality winter sports without the chaos and congestion of larger ski resorts. There are some groomed trails but for those who are more advanced in skiing and snowboarding, Hurricane Ridge features plenty of steeps, bowls and glades. The average annual snowfall is 400-plus inches (1,016 cm), which ensures some great skiing.
Hoh Rain Forest
Take a two and a half hour drive from Port Angeles and experience a luscious rain forest in the Hoh Valley of Olympic National Park. Visitors can hike along trails and view Sikita spruce, western hemlock and western red cedar trees, measuring an astounding 25 ft (7.6 m) in circumference and towering 300 ft (91.4 m) in height. The Hoh River is a must see with its unique color that changes from teal to gray. Nature lovers will enjoy the beautiful river as well as the spectacular assortment of flora and fauna growing in the dense forest. The Hoh Rain Forest has several activities to participate in such as rafting, hiking, kayaking and biking.
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| A Sunny Day at Rialto Beach4 |
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Rialto Beach
Explore the rugged coastline in Olympic National Park at Rialto Beach and La Push. The beach is separated from the Quileute Indian Reservation and village of La Push. Visitors to the beach can spend the day hiking and viewing wildlife like sea lions, Bald Eagles, pelicans, osprey and elk. Spend some time walking on the vast expanse of sand on the beach and gaze at the surf, sea stacks and tide pools.
Awesome storms can be viewed at Rialto Beach during the winter months. Visitors should also be on the lookout for the eye-catching Japanese blown glass balls that are used as buoys. The beach also features the popular Hole-in-the-Wall, a tunnel-like-structure that was pierced through a cobble-stoned rock by centuries of wave action.
WINERIES
Port Angeles has several small, boutique style wineries offering some of the most distinctive tasting wine in the northwest region. Many of the local wineries offer tours, wine tasting hours, events and shopping opportunities. Spend a few hours a day checking out wineries such as Black Diamond Winery, Harbinger Winery, Olympic Cellars Winery and Camaraderie Cellars.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Sunset; Port Angeles, Washington State, USA
- Hurricane Ridge; Olympic National Park, Washington State, USA
- Hoh Rainforest; Olympic National Park, Washington State, USA
- Rialto Beach; Olympic National Park, Washington State, USA
