Port Angeles is a city located in the of Clallam county , within the State of Washington, in the United States. With a population of 18,397 inhabitants it is the largest city in the Olympic Peninsula. The area around the bay was named Port of Our Lady of the Angels by the Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza in 1791, but in the mid 1800 it was shortened and translated into English to its current form.
Currently known for being mentioned in the books of the Twilight saga as in the films of this saga.
The city is connected by the William R. Fairchild International Airport and a ferry that serves through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria (British Columbia), in Canada.
Access : Coordinates: 48.113056, -123.440833 / By car :
From Seattle’s main airport, SeaTac (IATA: SEA), one can drive directly to Port Angeles in just 2.5 hours Go south on I-5 to WA-16 at Exit #132B in Tacoma. Go along WA-16 through Tacoma, across the Narrows Bridge, through Gig Harbor to WA-3 in Bremerton. Continue north through Bremerton on WA-3 to WA-104, north of Silverdale and go west over the Hood Canal Bridge on WA-104 to US-101. Follow signs to merge on US-101 north. Another way is go I-5 N, past downtown Seattle, to WA-104 (NE 205th St) at exit 177. Go west on WA-104 to the Edmonds Ferry terminal and cross over by ferry to Kingston. Continue on WA-104 from Kingston at the other side to US-101. Go north on US-101 to Port Angeles.
By air :
The William R. Fairchild International Airport (IATA: CLM) is located on the west side of the city. However, there is no commercial airline currently serving Port Angeles. Kenmore Air stopped service to Port Angeles in Nov 2014. Effective March, 2016, air service from Seattle (SeaTac airport) to Port Angeles will be available via Seaport Air.
Otherwise Seattle’s SeaTac airport (IATA: SEA) and Victoria International Airport (IATA: YYJ) north of Victoria BC would be the next nearest airports if arriving by other major commercial airlines. Be sure to have the proper international travel documents in hand and in order if needing to cross the U.S./Canadian border.
By bus :
Olympic Bus Lines, operates the state’s ‘Travel Washington program’s – Dungeness Line’ bus goes from Seattle via Discovery Bay, Port Townsend & Sequim to Port Angeles. In Seattle they pick up passengers at the airport, King Street Amtrak Station, Greyhound and some of the major hospitals in First Hill near downtown (by appointment only).
Series of public buses from Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo and Port Townsend If traveling without a car one can take the ferry from Pier 52 in downtown Seattle to Winslow (on Bainbridge Island) to catch the Kitsap Transit #90 to Poulsbo Jefferson Transit #7 from Poulsbo to Port Townsend; #8 bus from Port Townsend to Sequim and Clallam Transit #30 from Sequim to Port Angeles. Some are timed when one bus arrives in time for the next to leave within 10 minutes.
Series of public buses from Grays Harbor If traveling up from Aberdeen or Hoquiam, catch the Grays Harbor Transit #60 to Amanda Park Mercantile Jefferson Transit Olympic Connection bus from Amanda Park to Forks and Clallam Transit #14 to Port Angeles.
By boat :
Blackball Transport operates the MV Coho (vehicle) ferry and Victoria Express (passenger only) ferry to Victoria (British Columbia) across the San Juan de Fuca.
Port Angeles Boat Haven is nestled in the nook of Ediz Hook and is a direct route from Victoria (British Columbia). It is a perfect stop over for boaters plying the waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.
Washington State Ferries does not directly serve Port Angeles per se. But from Seattle one can drive up along Interstate 5 to WA-104 (NE 205th St at exit #177) and over to Edmonds to board a Washington State Ferry to Kingston. (See the rest under “By car” in the above). If traveling without a car one would take the ferry from Pier 52 downtown Seattle to Winslow (on Bainbridge Island) to catch the Kitsap Transit #90 to Poulsbo instead.
By bicycle :
The Olympic Discovery Trail heads west from Port Townsend , reaches Port Angeles, and beyond to Lake Crescent. The section east of Port Angeles is an well marked car free trail, much of which is paved, and easy to traverse on a loaded touring bicycle. West of Port Angeles is the “adventure” part of the trail, for which a cross-country mountain bike is recommended. The trail is non-technical single track, making it a introductory level XC, challenging but doable on a loaded touring bicycle.
Highlights :
- Olympic National Park :Marymere Falls , Olympic National Forest, Port Angeles, WA , beautiful hike near Crescent Lake. The Storm King Ranger Station at the Trail head has lots of parking, bathrooms and picnic tables ,
Madison Creek Falls, Olympic Hot Springs Road, Port Angeles, WA - Salt Creek Recreation Area , 3506 Camp Hayden Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363-8702 ,
- Olympic National Park Visitor Center , 3002 Mount Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362-6775 ,
- Ediz Hook Reserve , Ediz Hook Road, Extends Marine Drive becoming Ediz Hook Road, Port Angeles, WA , great birding views
- Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park / Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center , 315 N Lincoln St, Port Angeles City Pier, Port Angeles, WA 98362-2924 Open : 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM - The Feiro Marine Life Center is a non-profit organization that runs a Public Aquarium on the Port Angeles City Pier and provides educational programs in the community.
- Port Angeles City Pier , 308 E 4th St, Port Angeles, WA 98362-3218 , Watch the crab fishermen , view of the water from the lookout tower , plenty of cafes and restaurants
Port Angeles Fine Art Center , 1203 E Lauridsen Blvd, Port Angeles, WA 98362-6651 , - Sculpture Gardens , A wide variety of sculptures throughout woods and meadows.
Elwha Dam Removal Site , 47 Lower Dam Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363-9500 , Amazing example of dam removal and restoration of a wild river.
Port Angeles Visitor Center , 121 E Railroad Ave, Port Angeles, WA 98362-2912 , Port - Angeles is the epicenter for the Olympic Peninsula and the gateway to the Olympic National Park , maps and insider tips from the locals
- Olympic Coast Discovery Center , The Landing, 115 East Railroad, Port Angeles, WA 98362 , It has information for the whole family about marine conservation, the animals and habitats of the Olympic Coast, and the part you play in protecting our marine environment. Trained Discovery Center staff and dedicated volunteers will provide detailed information on where to hike, where to see whales
- Elwha Klallam Heritage Training Center , 401 E 1st St, Port Angeles, WA 98362-3111 ,Open : 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM , any fine examples of Elwah/S’Klallam artwork.
- Clallam Bay Spit Community Beach County Park , 16716 Frontier St, Port Angeles, WA 98363
- Camp David Jr. 1452 Camp David Junior Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363-8681 , educational camps, recreation camps, family reunions
Francis Street Park , N Francis St, Port Angeles, WA /
Activities : Beachcombing / Kayaking / Hiking / Golfing / Biking / Winery / Elwha River Casino / Dream Playground / Moments in Time Trail , The Moments in Time Trail starts near Lake Crescent Lodge and runs along the lake as well as through the rainforest. It is easy to walk, but offers a great view of the lake and a good impression of the forest /
Cirque Rim Trail , The Cirque Rim Trail starts near the Visitor Center on Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park. It is a nice short way from which one gets a good first impression./Spruce Railroad Trail , the trail follows a railroad track with great forest and lake views /
Olympic National Park Guided Tours / Port Angeles Underground Heritage Tours / Fishing
Go next : Aberdeen / Forks / Sequim / Olympia / Olympic National Park
