Help me plan for Seattle in Nov?
September 18, 2023 6:37 PM Subscribe
My husband and I are set to go to Seattle in early November. We plan to meet up with some of his friends, but I was hoping to see some of the coastline as well.
However, it looks like all the good stuff is about four hours away. I thought about staying in Port Angeles as a midpoint, but haven’t decided. Someone here (in an old reply) said that there was one pricy hotel there and all the rest were shabby and no good.
Or we could stay put in the city, and just walk around and see things? I think there is a Japanese garden, which sounds good? Any ideas about how to best manage this trip would be great. My planning headspace is full of other things right now and I can’t seem to decide on things.
However, it looks like all the good stuff is about four hours away. I thought about staying in Port Angeles as a midpoint, but haven’t decided. Someone here (in an old reply) said that there was one pricy hotel there and all the rest were shabby and no good.
Or we could stay put in the city, and just walk around and see things? I think there is a Japanese garden, which sounds good? Any ideas about how to best manage this trip would be great. My planning headspace is full of other things right now and I can’t seem to decide on things.
And “coastline” depends on which one. Puget Sound is right here. Pacific Ocean is yeah, about 3 to 4 hours. Even from Port Angeles, Pacific Ocean is an hour and a half away.
The days will be getting short. And it will be raining by then.
posted by Windopaene at 6:54 PM on September 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
The days will be getting short. And it will be raining by then.
posted by Windopaene at 6:54 PM on September 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
We have two Japanese gardens, both are beautiful. The more famous one is The Seattle Japanese Garden. The second one is The Kubota Garden. Both are beautiful and accessible by bus. The Seattle Japanese Garden is the more centrally located one.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 7:09 PM on September 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 7:09 PM on September 18, 2023 [1 favorite]
I assume you're talking about driving to the Olympic Peninsula? It's a very beautiful place but a very large area and the best stuff requires some hiking. Also, it'll be especially cold and windy in November.
I'd hang out in the city, and if I felt claustrophobic I'd take the ferry somewhere for the day. Thanks to the craggy geography, there are some great views to be had as long as your knees are in good shape.
posted by credulous at 8:01 PM on September 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
I'd hang out in the city, and if I felt claustrophobic I'd take the ferry somewhere for the day. Thanks to the craggy geography, there are some great views to be had as long as your knees are in good shape.
posted by credulous at 8:01 PM on September 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
Honestly, it depends on what you mean by "coastline".
The Pacific coast of WA isn't exactly...tourist friendly? Not in the "going on a day trip to the beach" way, anyway. The northern WA Pacific Ocean shoreline is absolutely gorgeous, but it is neither convenient to get to in a couple hours from Seattle nor overly amenity-friendly when you get there. There's a few small towns, but it's mostly about hiking and camping and whatnot. Which is fine, and there's some great hikes/camping areas along the coast, but if you're just looking for a day trip, it's not so much for that.
Port Angeles is, if there's no traffic, a 2.5ish hour drive from Seattle (and one thing to know about Seattle is there's always traffic). It is, however, not strictly on the Pacific Ocean's coast; it's on the water, but directly across from Victoria on the Salish Sea. Not sure if that's a difference you care about, but it's a difference.
From Seattle, if you want to see "the shoreline", and your time is limited, you're better off taking a ferry to Bainbridge or Bremerton and exploring those areas for a day, rather than driving all the way to the WA coast. The scenery, particularly on a clear day, is just as jawdropping, and it's a lot easier.
Also: strong second for the Sorrento.
posted by pdb at 8:48 PM on September 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
The Pacific coast of WA isn't exactly...tourist friendly? Not in the "going on a day trip to the beach" way, anyway. The northern WA Pacific Ocean shoreline is absolutely gorgeous, but it is neither convenient to get to in a couple hours from Seattle nor overly amenity-friendly when you get there. There's a few small towns, but it's mostly about hiking and camping and whatnot. Which is fine, and there's some great hikes/camping areas along the coast, but if you're just looking for a day trip, it's not so much for that.
Port Angeles is, if there's no traffic, a 2.5ish hour drive from Seattle (and one thing to know about Seattle is there's always traffic). It is, however, not strictly on the Pacific Ocean's coast; it's on the water, but directly across from Victoria on the Salish Sea. Not sure if that's a difference you care about, but it's a difference.
From Seattle, if you want to see "the shoreline", and your time is limited, you're better off taking a ferry to Bainbridge or Bremerton and exploring those areas for a day, rather than driving all the way to the WA coast. The scenery, particularly on a clear day, is just as jawdropping, and it's a lot easier.
Also: strong second for the Sorrento.
posted by pdb at 8:48 PM on September 18, 2023 [3 favorites]
The most expedient way to gaze upon the majestic Pacific ocean is to drive 2.5 hours to Ocean Shores on the southern coast of the Olympic Peninsula. November is cold and wet, and days are short. Bring very warm clothes for the beach.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 8:58 PM on September 18, 2023
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 8:58 PM on September 18, 2023
Ocean Shores and Westport would like a word...
Both are nice towns with touristy vibes, right on the coast, and several hours out of Seattle. They both have amenities...hotels, restaurants, beaches. Westport is an old fishing town, Ocean Shores a resort town, and to get to either one you'll have to drive through Aberdeen and Hoquiam, both old lumber towns. November is wonderful if you enjoy gray skies, cold wind, and rain. The North Pacific is not very...passive. But if you like weather, you'll get it.
Oh, and if you want really tourist friendly, keep the Oregon coast in mind for the future, it's a lot of fun.
posted by lhauser at 9:35 PM on September 18, 2023
Both are nice towns with touristy vibes, right on the coast, and several hours out of Seattle. They both have amenities...hotels, restaurants, beaches. Westport is an old fishing town, Ocean Shores a resort town, and to get to either one you'll have to drive through Aberdeen and Hoquiam, both old lumber towns. November is wonderful if you enjoy gray skies, cold wind, and rain. The North Pacific is not very...passive. But if you like weather, you'll get it.
Oh, and if you want really tourist friendly, keep the Oregon coast in mind for the future, it's a lot of fun.
posted by lhauser at 9:35 PM on September 18, 2023
Best answer: Of the two Japanese gardens, I find the Kubota garden particularly awesome. It's a lot bigger than the more central one, and is laid out in a way that invites you to wander and discover so many little niches, all with different character.
posted by Metasyntactic at 10:03 PM on September 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Metasyntactic at 10:03 PM on September 18, 2023 [2 favorites]
If you want some Salish Sea views and are willing to risk/tolerate rain. Then a day on Whidbey Island might suit you. Fort Ebey and Fort Casey are old, decommissioned military installation that are fun to walk on and have great views. If you want to splurge a little,stay overnight in Langley and stay at The Inn at Langley. Book a spa package, eat an amazing meal, relax in a big soaking tub while watching the sunset
There's a great Hokusai exhibit at the Asian Art Museum up through the end of the year.
posted by brookeb at 11:20 PM on September 18, 2023
There's a great Hokusai exhibit at the Asian Art Museum up through the end of the year.
posted by brookeb at 11:20 PM on September 18, 2023
I have many fond memories of the Kubota Garden, as it was a favorite low-cost day outing when I was living in the Seattle east side suburbs many years ago. One thing good to know before you get there, should you choose to visit, is that the signs in the parking area advise pretty strongly that you not leave any valuables in your car. I've never had any particular problems but then I haven't been inclined to put it to the test, either.
The other Japanese garden people have mentioned is adjacent to (or possibly part of?) the University of Washington's arboretum so if you're looking for lovely places to walk they combine nicely.
Yet another, albeit more expensive option, is the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, the bonus there being that it gives you a good excuse to take a ferry across Puget Sound, which is a very Seattle thing to do and one I quite recommend. In fact, even if you don't have a pressing need to put a car on the ferry and drive over to Bainbridge or Bremerton, you could do worse than spend an hour or two just riding the ferry across the sound as a walk-on passenger and then riding back, enjoying the city views along the way.
Unfortunately none of these options are going to be at their peak of enjoyability in November but Seattle's climate, even in November, is not that harsh.
I agree with pretty much everyone else who says that a visit to the Pacific Coast is going to be further and more involved than you would expect if you're not familiar with the area. But unless you are determined to look out at open water, the bays, straits, and inlets around Puget Sound provide plenty of salt-water scenery with spectacular backdrops to boot.
Rather than head to the ocean, have you considered the mountains for your explore-the-territory-outside-the-city excursion? There are spectacular walks / hikes at all difficulty levels available in the surrounding national forest lands and as long as you pick something at a reasonable elevation you should be able to find plenty of snow-free options during your visit.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:49 AM on September 19, 2023
The other Japanese garden people have mentioned is adjacent to (or possibly part of?) the University of Washington's arboretum so if you're looking for lovely places to walk they combine nicely.
Yet another, albeit more expensive option, is the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, the bonus there being that it gives you a good excuse to take a ferry across Puget Sound, which is a very Seattle thing to do and one I quite recommend. In fact, even if you don't have a pressing need to put a car on the ferry and drive over to Bainbridge or Bremerton, you could do worse than spend an hour or two just riding the ferry across the sound as a walk-on passenger and then riding back, enjoying the city views along the way.
Unfortunately none of these options are going to be at their peak of enjoyability in November but Seattle's climate, even in November, is not that harsh.
I agree with pretty much everyone else who says that a visit to the Pacific Coast is going to be further and more involved than you would expect if you're not familiar with the area. But unless you are determined to look out at open water, the bays, straits, and inlets around Puget Sound provide plenty of salt-water scenery with spectacular backdrops to boot.
Rather than head to the ocean, have you considered the mountains for your explore-the-territory-outside-the-city excursion? There are spectacular walks / hikes at all difficulty levels available in the surrounding national forest lands and as long as you pick something at a reasonable elevation you should be able to find plenty of snow-free options during your visit.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:49 AM on September 19, 2023
Response by poster: I know November isn't the best time to go, but I don't mind rain, and it was the only time we were able to schedule the trip, so we'll make the best of it. I'll talk to my husband about the budget because the Hotel Sorrento looks fantastic. And the Kubota garden sounds perfect.
I did want to see the Pacific coastline, but it definitely looks like it's too much of a muchness to do on a quick trip, but you guys have pointed out some fun options that I'll check out.
A friend with family in Seattle has mentioned that I need to try Biscuit Bitch. Any other food options or more thoughts on stuff to do would be great.
posted by PussKillian at 6:49 AM on September 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
I did want to see the Pacific coastline, but it definitely looks like it's too much of a muchness to do on a quick trip, but you guys have pointed out some fun options that I'll check out.
A friend with family in Seattle has mentioned that I need to try Biscuit Bitch. Any other food options or more thoughts on stuff to do would be great.
posted by PussKillian at 6:49 AM on September 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
November is one of the best times to head to the coast! Especially if you catch one of the early season storms. Wind and huge waves carrying enormous logs crashing on the beach can be spectacular and adds to the feeling that the PNW coast is a rugged wilderness not a picnic destination. Off season usually means cheaper accommodations as well. Yes, it's a bit of a trip to get there, but it's not like the country between Seattle and the coast is lacking in interesting things to see and do. Old growth forest, logging operations, the Olympic mountain range, hot springs (Sol Duc), lakes and rivers abound. If you are adventurous it makes for an awesome couple of days.
If you've got 2 days I would head over the Edmonds Kingston ferry -plan to stay in Port Angeles or Sequim (pronounced Skwim). Day one you could see some combination of the Dungeness Spit, Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Hot Springs. Day 2 get up early, drive to Forks (lots of Twilight themed stuff) and then out to LaPush to see the ocean and do some beach combing. head south and there are a number of other beaches to stop at (some requiring a hike) and an easy trail to the Hoh rainforest. These things will likely take your daylight hours. continue the loop south and then east to avoid the ferry on the way back.
It's a long 2 days but full to the brim with windy rainy fun. Good roads all along.
I'd plan to take food and eat on the road, as there are not many places to stop and eat on day 2.
posted by OHenryPacey at 7:15 AM on September 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
If you've got 2 days I would head over the Edmonds Kingston ferry -plan to stay in Port Angeles or Sequim (pronounced Skwim). Day one you could see some combination of the Dungeness Spit, Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Hot Springs. Day 2 get up early, drive to Forks (lots of Twilight themed stuff) and then out to LaPush to see the ocean and do some beach combing. head south and there are a number of other beaches to stop at (some requiring a hike) and an easy trail to the Hoh rainforest. These things will likely take your daylight hours. continue the loop south and then east to avoid the ferry on the way back.
It's a long 2 days but full to the brim with windy rainy fun. Good roads all along.
I'd plan to take food and eat on the road, as there are not many places to stop and eat on day 2.
posted by OHenryPacey at 7:15 AM on September 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Yes the Pacific is unfortunately some distance away, but you can get 90% of that by going up to the corner of the Olympic peninsula.
Here's an itinerary I would suggest off the top of my head, through Port Townsend, which is a super cute town and also, from the top of Fort Worden you can look out to the Pacific (though it's a hundred miles out).
The best way to do it for this visit is probably to leave right from downtown Seattle, giving you a nice view of the city, and you can grab breakfast or lunch on Bainbridge (great fish and chips at Proper Fish).
Stay overnight in Port Townsend - there's some cute places on the east side of town - The Bishop and The Swan are both great. The Siren is a great bar on the water.
Then you can take the ferry from PT up to Whidbey, and drive right up to Deception Pass, which is a lovely state park and a great bridge you can get out and admire. From there you go east and hit I-5, which you can take direct back to Seattle, making a stop in Mt Vernon, which is a cool town to grab lunch or coffee at.
The PNW pacific coast is definitely something you could take a week to visit - a whole other itinerary through Forks and the mountains. Come on back! But my advice this time would be to enjoy the city and a bit of the peninsula and islands.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:37 AM on September 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Here's an itinerary I would suggest off the top of my head, through Port Townsend, which is a super cute town and also, from the top of Fort Worden you can look out to the Pacific (though it's a hundred miles out).
The best way to do it for this visit is probably to leave right from downtown Seattle, giving you a nice view of the city, and you can grab breakfast or lunch on Bainbridge (great fish and chips at Proper Fish).
Stay overnight in Port Townsend - there's some cute places on the east side of town - The Bishop and The Swan are both great. The Siren is a great bar on the water.
Then you can take the ferry from PT up to Whidbey, and drive right up to Deception Pass, which is a lovely state park and a great bridge you can get out and admire. From there you go east and hit I-5, which you can take direct back to Seattle, making a stop in Mt Vernon, which is a cool town to grab lunch or coffee at.
The PNW pacific coast is definitely something you could take a week to visit - a whole other itinerary through Forks and the mountains. Come on back! But my advice this time would be to enjoy the city and a bit of the peninsula and islands.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 10:37 AM on September 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
the best "big water" views in Washington are not (imho) on the coast but in Seattle. Go to Golden Gardens 2 hours before sunset and let your eyes rest in the Elliott Bay foreground and then focus on the Olympics in the background. Every 10 minutes will show you a different "sunset," especially when there's a heavy cloud cover. Alternatively, Discovery Park in Magnolia if you want a little more of hike and a scenic lighthouse.
In the twenty years I lived in Seattle, I went to the Washington coast twice. I spent a bit of time in the north/central end of Oregon coast, which is beautiful, but I pick Puget Sound over the Pacific any day of the week. If you want something a little more remote than the urbanified areas around Elliott Bay, Bellingham can offer a bit more remoteness - about two hours north depending on when you leave. Dungeness Spit and Salt Creek/Neah Bay are beautiful (real Canadian/North Pacific vibe) as well, but they're about 3+ hours away. And they still are not Pacific-facing (Salish Sea).
posted by SoundInhabitant at 10:44 AM on September 19, 2023
In the twenty years I lived in Seattle, I went to the Washington coast twice. I spent a bit of time in the north/central end of Oregon coast, which is beautiful, but I pick Puget Sound over the Pacific any day of the week. If you want something a little more remote than the urbanified areas around Elliott Bay, Bellingham can offer a bit more remoteness - about two hours north depending on when you leave. Dungeness Spit and Salt Creek/Neah Bay are beautiful (real Canadian/North Pacific vibe) as well, but they're about 3+ hours away. And they still are not Pacific-facing (Salish Sea).
posted by SoundInhabitant at 10:44 AM on September 19, 2023
Foodwise...what would you like to try? Allergies?
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 11:53 AM on September 19, 2023
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 11:53 AM on September 19, 2023
Best answer: Biscuit Bitch is great, but are only open for takeout now, alas. I love Cafe Campagne and Maximilian, both in Pike Market.
Agree with all the above regarding the Pacific coast in Washington. It is remote, rugged, and beautiful - but the remote part makes it tough on a limited timeframe.
If you do decide to drive onto the ferry, you could do worse than a trip to the Hood Canal (it’s actually a fjord, but that’s for another time). Both Scenic Beach State Park and Seabeck have amazing views, and are right on the canal.
Still on the Salish Sea is a trip to Port Townsend. It is a Victorian former lumber town with some nice examples of Victorian architecture. It is also home to a wooden boat-building school, and there are a lot of boat-adjacent things there. The views are jaw-dropping, but in the fall/winter it can be WINDY, so dress appropriately. You can take a ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and from there it’s less than an hour, and you’ll get to drive across the Hood Canal bridge.
posted by dbmcd at 12:04 PM on September 19, 2023
Agree with all the above regarding the Pacific coast in Washington. It is remote, rugged, and beautiful - but the remote part makes it tough on a limited timeframe.
If you do decide to drive onto the ferry, you could do worse than a trip to the Hood Canal (it’s actually a fjord, but that’s for another time). Both Scenic Beach State Park and Seabeck have amazing views, and are right on the canal.
Still on the Salish Sea is a trip to Port Townsend. It is a Victorian former lumber town with some nice examples of Victorian architecture. It is also home to a wooden boat-building school, and there are a lot of boat-adjacent things there. The views are jaw-dropping, but in the fall/winter it can be WINDY, so dress appropriately. You can take a ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and from there it’s less than an hour, and you’ll get to drive across the Hood Canal bridge.
posted by dbmcd at 12:04 PM on September 19, 2023
Best answer: Oh, and while I enthusiastically second any and all the ferry recommendations, be aware that the Washington State Ferry system is running several boats short at the moment, and probably for a while, due to maintenance both scheduled and un. All of which means drastically limited auto capacity. Which may mean waiting in line for a ferry significantly longer than you'd maybe want to.
you can check estimated remaining car capacities per boat for the next several sailings here.
posted by pdb at 9:14 PM on September 19, 2023
you can check estimated remaining car capacities per boat for the next several sailings here.
posted by pdb at 9:14 PM on September 19, 2023
Best answer: BlackLeotardFront’s suggested itinerary is extremely good, though I’d put in a plug for Bellingham instead of Mt Vernon if you’re ok with the extra distance. Fantastic bay and island views (which even in Fall and winter you should get to enjoy at least once a day), nice walking around Fairhaven or downtown, sculpture garden or arboretum, bunch of galleries, neat little shops all over, pretty decent food and beer. Taylor Shellfish is a destination for oysters. Stellar multi-roaster coffee at Narrative (who also have a shop in Everett on the drive back to Seattle; get something by Manhattan if they’re brewing it), quite good coffee at Camber.
Bring raincoats and water-resistant walking shoes, not umbrellas.
posted by supercres at 10:34 PM on September 19, 2023
Bring raincoats and water-resistant walking shoes, not umbrellas.
posted by supercres at 10:34 PM on September 19, 2023
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It's also centrally located, and is within walking distance to Downtown / Washington State Ferry docks, if you can handle steep hills up and down. If not, it's on bus lines that run often.
posted by spinifex23 at 6:48 PM on September 18, 2023 [1 favorite]