Escape to the North Beach of Grays Harbor

This summer, do yourself a favor and escape the hustle and bustle for a little beachside vacation. And where’s the perfect place to go? The beautiful and pristine beaches of northern Grays Harbor. This amazing place is located less than two hours away from Tacoma – ideal for a weekend getaway. On your way, be sure to stop by the South Bay Coffee Company in Aberdeen for a mid-trip pick me up. Their lavender lemonade and delicious mochas add the perfect highlight to any quick road trip.

Grays Harbor TourismOnce you arrive, you’ll be taken by the beautiful scenery and all the fun activities this area has to offer. There’s razor clam digging (in season), fishing, bird watching, extensive hiking and numerous aquatic sports. There’s so much to enjoy that we’ve compiled this quick and easy guide to help you plan the perfect North Beach vacation.

Seabrook

In Seabrook you’ll enjoy a wide variety of amenities including a pool, parks, horse barn, tennis courts, playgrounds, dog parks and more, all within walking distance. The town also offers many delicious restaurants, quaint boutiques and the luxurious Spa Elizabeth. There truly is something for everyone!

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The beach lays at the end of this quaint crushed shell path. Photo courtesy: Seabrook

Seabrook was designed with walkability and connectivity in mind. It was featured as Sunset Magazine’s original Idea Town. It was also named one of Seattle Magazine’s Best Pacific Northwest Vacations in 2017 and one of Coastal Living magazine’s Best Places to Live in 2017.

Seabrook is the perfect place to spend your sunny summer days. Cruise through town on a rented bike from Buck’s Bikes or rent a surf board and wetsuit and hit the waves. Browse the town’s unique shops, grab a savory slice of pie from Frontager’s Pizza Co. and engage your creative side at Imagine That! Pottery Painting Studio. Savor the elegance of the Stowaway Wine Bar and Cheese Shop and grab a sweet treat at Sweet Life ice cream parlor and candy store or Red Velvet Bakery by the Sea.

If you have a pet in tow, stop by the town’s dog park and The Salty Dog which hosts dog friendly events like “Yappy Hours.” Seabrook’s community activities, restaurants and shops are open to everyone but for the full experience be sure to stay in one of Seabrook’s many lovely rental homes.

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Buck’s Bikes offers bike rental and repair in addition to wetsuit, paddle board and surfboard rentals. Photo credit: Douglas Scott

Seabrook is surrounded by a series of environmentally conscious trails which makes it a hiker’s paradise. Hiking is a great way to experience the area’s spruce forests and preserved coastline. Visitors can follow a magical, winding trail of crushed oyster shells and reclaimed cedar to the beach. Here they can hunt for the perfect shell, stroll for miles or simply kick back and relax.

You can book one of the town’s many attractive vacation rentals through seabrookwa.com. They donate one percent of profits to the Seabrook Community Foundation which provides scholarships for local students and supports local organizations.

Roosevelt Beach

You’ll find Roosevelt Beach just three miles south of Seabrook. The beach is spacious, flat and vehicle friendly. Sea life, including crabs, are abundant here so strolling along the beach is fun for the whole family. Small lagoons offer the perfect place for kids to play safely, far from the pounding of the breakers. Breathtakingly beautiful cliff-side views make this beach particularly memorable. Bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic lunch and make a day of it. You’ll find plenty of space to run or fly a kite with no crowds in sight.

Moclips and Pacific Beach

Moclips is home to the Museum of the North Beach which showcases many fascinating historical items and curios. Their train room contains an assortment of memorabilia from the Northern Pacific Railway Company. The museum also has a display of records from the 1964 tsunami and a fully restored 1910 wedding dress from the region’s first “royal” family. Visitors love looking through the growing exhibit of Japanese tsunami debris collected from local beaches.

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Emily’s Confections is a must stop while in Pacific Beach.

While you’re there be sure to stop by the Sea Gate Restaurant & Lounge for a meal you won’t forget. The burgers are big and juicy and the pizza is simply delicious. Remember to also visit Emily’s Confections in Pacific Beach for a perfectly sweet treat.

For a relaxing night’s sleep, check into the Ocean Crest Resort. This local gem has been family owned for three generations. Its clifftop location offers breathtaking views that will make your stay extra special. Ocean Crest Resort also offers a spa, indoor pool, health club, restaurant and cocktail lounge.

Or stay at Pacific Beach’s Sand Dollar Inn which offers stand-alone cottages, a romantic penthouse and suites with kitchens. Adjacent to Pacific Beach State Park, this property is perfect for those travelling with camping friends, who prefer a “real bed.” 

If you have time, take the short thirty minute drive to Olympic National Park for a plethora of lake-shore beaches, scenic glacial peaks, waterfalls, the breathtaking Lake Quinault and the only temperate rain forest in North America. 

Copalis Beach

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The Ghost Forest is located less than a mile from Copalis. Photo courtesy Brian Atwater

You’ll find this special place where the Copalis River meets the sea. Full of hiking trails, it also offers excellent razor clam digging (in season), beach combing, fishing and bird watching. For dinner, stop by the Green Lantern Pub for some delicious eats in a unique environment. The new owners have made this long-time local hangout a family-friendly community gathering spot.

Grab your kayak or canoe and paddle up river to the Ghost Forest. This unique red cedar and spruce forest died off and became a salt marsh when a large earthquake struck over 300 years ago.

If you’d like to stay the night, check into the completely renovated cabins of the Iron Springs Resort. It offers fireplaces or wood burning stoves, new kitchens, enlarged bathrooms, flat screen satellite TVs and DVD players. Staying here will get you access to restored hiking trails and a private beach. Take a stroll along Copalis Beach or head over to nearby Pacific Beach State Park. At night, kick back by a beachside fire pit and watch the sun set.

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Your family will remember a summer vacation at Iron Springs for years. Photo courtesy: Iron Springs Resort

Iron Springs Resort is perfect for your four legged friend as well. They offer towels, dog bowls and a washing station in each cabin. They even give you a free tennis ball and a treat at check in.

The North Beach of Grays Harbor is not to be missed – teeming with awe-inspiring sights, you’ll find plenty of fun activities to keep you and your family busy. Plus there is always something new to discover. You’ll fall in love with this spectacular area of Grays Harbor County.