Day Trips From Seattle To The Olympic & Kitsap Peninsulas

Seattle Day Trips To The Olympic
& Kitsap Peninsulas

The Olympic & Kitsap Peninsulas are home to 100s of miles of scenic beaches and ocean shores, the majestic Olympic Mountains, magnificent old-growth & temperate rain forests, quaint, historic & Victorian towns, and plenty more. Being water-bound, expect to find plenty of beach and water-based activities including beach-combing, fishing, clamming & oystering, boating, whale watching & scuba diving. Olympic National Park, at over 900,000 acres, offers backpacking & hiking, bird watching, camping, mountaineering, and the chance to observe 3 distinct ecosystems. And as can be expected, you will find lots of very fresh seafood all over the place.

Back To Day Trips Page

Highway 101, which runs along the Pacific Coast from California to Washington State, also loops the entire Olympic Peninsula perimeter, and is the perfect route for your journey, taking you through or near many of the major sights and destinations.

Getting There -
There are several ways to get to the Olympic & Kitsap Peninsulas. One popular route is via Ferry from downtown Seattle. Either the Bainbridge Island or Bremerton ferry will get you across Puget Sound, and depending on the direction you'll be travelling after that, pick the one that is most convenient.

Another way is to drive South on I-5. Again, the direction you plan to drive on the Peninsulas will determine the routes you will eventually take. From Tacoma, just past the Tacoma Dome, you can take Highway 16 West, which will take you North through the center of the Kitsap Peninsula. Or continue South on I-5 to Olympia (the State Capitol) and exit on Highway 101. After about 5 miles, you can choose to either travel North on Highway 101 along the East coast of the Olympic Peninsula - or take Highway 8 , which will take you West to the Coast and Highway 101 on the West coast.

Here's a map centered on Olympic National Park. Zoom out a tick, and you can get a perspective on the whole area. Then simply click on any area of the map to re-center it, and zoom back in.

Kitsap Peninsula

Bremerton - Voted one of the USA's most liveable cities. Tourist attractions, calendar of events.

Gig Harbor Peninsula Historical Society & Museum - History of the Gig Harbor area. Online exhibits.

Naval Memorial Museum of the Pacific - Bremerton Naval Museum. Historical and Naval artifacts, including photos, uniforms, books, cannons, flags, etc. from circa 1377 to the present. USS Turner Joy. In Bremerton.

Naval Undersea Museum - The museum possesses the largest collection of artifacts in the United States related to naval undersea history, science, and operations. The exhibits offer numerous video, audio, and hands-on activities to enhance a visitor's enjoyment and understanding. Artifacts on display include major U.S. torpedoes dating from the Whitehead and Howell torpedoes to modern Mk 46 and Mk 50 weapons; a Confederate mine from the Civil War; torpedo tubes from the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Tecumseh (SSBN 628); and a simulation of the control room from the fast attack submarine Greenling (SSN 614). In Keyport.

Poulsbo - Quaint seaport town with a distinct Norwegian atmosphere. Map.

Visit Kitsap - Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau. Calendar of events, things to see and do, resource guide.

Olympic Peninsula

Ilwaco - A quaint coastal fishing town. Fishing & whale watching charters. Map.

Northwest Secret Places - Olympic Peninsula activities: Trails, water adventures, attractions. lodging, events, and more. Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Ocean Shores - Popular seaside destination.

Sunset near Westport Sunset at Lake Crescent
Sunsets - On the beach near Westport At Lake Crescent - West of Port Angeles

Olympic National Park - Glacier capped mountains, wild Pacific coast and magnificent stands of old-growth forests, including temperate rain forests - 95% designated wilderness, with a diverse and spectacular ecosystems.

Peninsula Wineries - The Olympic & Kitsap Peninsulas are home to several fine wineries. Washington wines are known the World over for their high quality, and many of these wines may only be available locally, so stop in for a sample, and bring home a bottle or 2.

Port Angeles - Information about Port Angeles's area attractions, events, lodging, history, people, and natural surroundings. Port for the Black Ball Ferry to Victoria.

Port Townsend - City guide to historic, Victorian Port Townsend. Fort Warden, where An Officer And A Gentleman was filmed, is located here. Fort Flagler, which is just across the bay from Port Townsend, has a wonderful view of the city at night from it's beach-front campgrounds.

Kite Flying is a popular activity at many West Coast towns - This photo is taken near Westport
And yes, driving is allowed on many Washington Coast beaches - inquire locally