Port Angeles is a charming coastal town on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, and it’s a must-visit location in the Pacific Northwest! Known as the gateway to Olympic National Park, the town is home to amazing food, coastal adventures, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Below is our recommended itinerary for two days in Port Angeles, Washington, including all the best places to eat and explore. We also share what you need to know before you visit.

This itinerary was put together in partnership with Visit Port Angeles and Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau. All views and opinions are authentically our own.

Things to know before you visit Port Angeles

• What time of year should I visit Port Angeles, Washington? The most popular time to visit is June – September, when rain is less common and higher elevation hikes in Olympic National Park are snow-free. However, you’ll also encounter more crowds during these months. We visited in October and got lucky with beautiful sunny weather and gorgeous fall colors! Because we visited in October we were also able to attend the Dungeness Crab Festival, which we highly recommend! 
• Is there food for vegetarians and vegans in Port Angeles? Because this is a coastal town with an abundance of delicious seafood, finding vegetarian and vegan options can be a bit of a challenge, but is absolutely doable. All of the restaurants featured in this blog have vegan and vegetarian options available.
• How do I get to Port Angeles? Port Angeles is a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac), which is the closest major US airport. The drive to Port Angeles takes you up the Kitsap Peninsula, which has lots of charming stops along the way. We drove from Spokane, Washington, which is about 7 hours. We fueled our journey with Indaba Coffee and Taco Vado from Spokane, and broke up the drive with a stop in the cute historic town of Roslyn, which is located near Snoqualmie Pass.
• What should I pack for visiting Port Angeles, Washington? Because it is along the coast, Port Angeles is generally somewhat cool, with mild temperatures throughout the year. You’ll want to pack a rain jacket (such as the REI Co-op Flash Stretch Rain Jacket for women and men), puffer jackets (we love the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket for women and men), and some cozy sweaters. Don’t forget waterproof shoes and hiking boots! You can find more gear and clothing recommendations here.

Lodging in Port Angeles

We stayed at the Elwha Dam RV Park, which we HIGHLY recommend! In addition to having several guest houses and a glamping airstream, they can also accommodate truck campers, tents, camper vans, and large RVs. They also offer on-site e-bike rentals, how showers, and nearby walking trails; the facilities were exceptionally clean; and the location is also extremely convenient for exploring Olympic National Park and Port Angeles.

If glamping is not your style, then we also recommend the Historic Lake Crescent Lodge located in Olympic National Park. The accommodations are modest, and many of the rooms overlook the beautiful Lake Crescent. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the lodge, where the dining room has sweeping views of the lake and surrounding mountains!

Itinerary for two days in Port Angeles

Day 1 – Biking the Olympic Discovery Trail and exploring downtown Port Angeles

Breakfast at Blackberry Cafe

If you wan’t delicious food with a dose of nostalgia then head to Blackberry Cafe for breakfast! I would describe Blackberry Cafe as classic and delicious diner food, and stepping into the cafe feels like a throwback in time. I got their pancakes with berries and would highly recommend them. Blackberry Cafe is in Joyce, located 20 minutes west of Port Angeles off Highway 112.

Blackberry Cafe is a bit of a drive, but I think it’s worth it! If you want to stay closer to town for breakfast I recommend grabbing coffee and breakfast at Buena Luz Bakery (which we also recommend below for lunch!). 

E-bike the Olympic Discovery Trail, with stops along the way!

Starting in Port Townsend and ending at the Pacific Ocean, the Olympic Discovery Trail is a fantastic multi-use path that offers a beautiful and safe ride along the ocean, through coastal towns, and along agricultural fields. We rented e-bikes from Discover E-Bike in downtown Port Angeles and the owner shuttled us to nearby Sequim so we could ride a 30+ mile route between Sequim and Port Angeles. However, there are many other routes you can choose from.

This activity took us 5+ hours, making it a full day adventure complete with lots of fun stops! That means you’ll also need lunch along the way. For lunch we recommend grabbing to-go sandwiches and pastries at Buena Luz Bakery (a can’t miss stop in Port Angeles!!), which is known for their phenomenal locally baked breads and confections. Or, if you don’t want to pack a lunch, stop by Carlsborg’s Old Mill Cafe, which is located located between Sequim and Port Angeles and is along the biking route.

Other can’t miss stops include the farm stands along the way (bring cash for goodies like local dahlias, honey, and apples!), Olympic Bluffs Cidery & Lavender Farm, the Dungeness River Nature Center, and Northwest Native Expressions art.

Explore downtown Port Angeles

Downtown Port Angeles is a vibrant place to explore in late afternoon. There are lots of cute shops (we were especially charmed by Moss and Port Book and News), as well as a mural trail. 

The newly opened Harbinger Wine Bar is also a fantastic stop. While we enjoyed their wine, the real standout is their location, which overlooks the strait. That makes Harbinger Wine Bar the perfect location to relax, cozy up to a warm fire, and enjoy the views!

Dinner at Yodelin Broth Co. 

End your night with dinner at Yodelin Broth Co., which also has a location in Leavenworth, Washington. This cozy spot offers indoor and outdoor seating, and is known for their fresh flavors, including salads, rice bowls, and brothy dishes. Their Kiwanda Rice Bowl and Enchantments Salad are our top recommendations. 

Day 2 – Spend a day exploring Olympic National Park

Breakfast and kayaking at Lake Crescent Lodge

If you’re looking for a fun and unique way to experience Olympic National Park, this is it! Start your morning off with breakfast at the famous Lake Crescent Lodge. Located in Olympic National Park and built in 1916, the lodge is an iconic location within the national park, and you will enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Crescent while dining. We arrived at the lodge’s restaurant promptly at 7:30 am so we could get seats by the windows, and enjoyed eggs benedict, avocado toast, and Bob’s Red Mill oatmeal with a creme brûlée top. The food was delicious, and the service was top notch! They also serve lunch and dinner (reservations recommended).

After breakfast head over to the main desk in the lodge to get a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard rental for the morning (during summer I recommend booking in advance) so you can explore Lake Crescent by water! We enjoyed a relaxing morning paddle. The glacially carved lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and it’s a spot you can’t miss in Olympic National Park!

Note that you’ll need to purchase a 7 day pass (or an annual parks pass) to enjoy the National Park. I recommend buying this ahead of time, since cell service is limited in the park. 

Hike Marymere Falls

After you finish kayaking, head to nearby Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park. This 1.7 mile trail features 314 feet of elevation gain, and passes over a beautiful creek (there’s a bridge!) and takes you to an impressive waterfall. It’s lush and family friendly. 

Hike to Sol Duc Falls

Round out your morning with one more hike, this time to Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park. This is an extremely popular hike in the national park, and for good reason. At only 1.8 miles long and less than 300 feet of elevation gain, this relatively flat trail takes you through old-growth forest to a beautiful waterfall.

Lunch at Granny’s Cafe

A lot of hiking means it’s time for lunch! On your way back to Port Angeles grab a late lunch at Granny’s Cafe along highway 101. This spot CAN’T be missed. Their homemade soft serve milkshakes are outstanding (we’ll be back again in the future just for those!), the service is wonderful, the vibes are immaculate, and the food really hits the spot.

In addition to amazing food, Granny’s also has farm animals (including a cat, chickens, emus, and goats), which guests can visit and pet! We especially loved the chickens.

Grab a beer at Mighty Pine Brewing

Wind down with a drink at Mighty Pine Brewing! A relative newcomer to the Port Angeles food and beverage scene, their cozy space (think light and bright cabin vibes) offers excellent beers brewed in-house, alongside both indoor and outdoor seating. Their beers are crisp and refreshing, and I recommend getting a flight so you can sample a few! Beer not your thing? In addition to their own beers they also serve other local brews, including Finn River Cider.

Dinner at Sabai Thai

End your day with dinner Sabai Thai in Port Angeles. Sabai Thai offers delicious Thai food served with a smile! Amiana and I both remarked how enthusiastic and kind the service was here. The food was served piping hot, and it was flavorful and fresh. They also have an abundance of vegan and vegetarian options, in addition to food for meat and seafood lovers!

I hope you enjoyed this itinerary and guide for how to enjoy two days in Port Angeles, Washington! You can find more Pacific Northwest adventures here on our blog, and on our Instagram.