Welcome back to part two of our journey! Last year, my husband and I packed up our two little dogs and set off on an unforgettable road trip along the coast of Washington State. We kicked things off in the rainy charm of Forks, Washington, and settled into the quiet coastal town of Sekiu. After exploring Twilight landmarks, misty beaches, and mossy trails, we were ready for more adventures. Now come along as we continue discovering the breathtaking beauty of the Washington coast.
🚗Day Five – Shi Shi Beach Adventure
We began the day with lunch at By the Bay Cafe, a tiny waterfront spot we ended up visiting often. Despite what Google hours say, the place was open past 11 p.m. on several nights. From there, we set out for a full-day adventure on the Shi Shi Beach Trail. It’s a 2-mile (one way) hike just to reach the shoreline—and be prepared: it’s very muddy. The final descent is steep, but once you arrive, the views are well worth the effort.
Highlights:
- Hiked the trail to Shi Shi Beach (note: partially dog friendly)
- Snorkeled near the shore—an incredible experience!
- Saw vibrant sea life, including starfish, clams, sea urchins, and sea anemones
💡Tip: bring tennis shoes for the beach—the sand gets extremely hot - Ended the night with dinner at By the Bay Cafe
🌫️Day Six – Exploring Neah Bay & Foggy Cape Flattery
We spent the morning walking through the small town of Neah Bay with our dogs, enjoying the quiet pace and fresh sea air. After that, we took a scenic drive along the Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway, which offers sweeping views of the coast and high cliffs.
Highlights:
- Lunch at Calvin’s Crab House, right on the water
- Sat and watched sailboats pass by, with Canada visible across the water
- Returned to Cape Flattery for sunset views—but thick fog rolled in
- Dinner once again at By the Bay Cafe—not many restaurants in the area, but the views and staff kept us coming back. Learned a local term from our By the Bay server: “Faugust”, for the dense August fog
🏞️Day Seven – Leaving Sekiu, Arriving in Sequim
We woke up early, packed up, and said goodbye to Sekiu. After one last breakfast at By the Bay Cafe, we set off on the ~1.5-hour drive east to Sequim.
On the way out of Neah Bay:
- Visited the Neah Bay Scenic Viewpoint (dog friendly)
- Took turns visiting the Makah Cultural and Research Center Museum (not dog friendly). 💡Tip: It’s a self-guided experience and takes about an hour
After arriving in Sequim:
- Stopped by the Olympic National Park Visitors Center
- Hiked the Aldwell Nature Trail, which loops with the Peabody Creek Trail (dog friendly)
- Struggled to find dinner—many restaurants closed earlier than expected. We ended up grabbing food at a local chain restaurant (can’t recall the name)
🌲Day Eight – Sol Duc Falls & Scenic Stops
We started the morning with a delicious breakfast at the Oak Table Cafe, then headed out to explore more of Olympic National Park.
Highlights:
- Breakfast at Oak Table Cafe
- Visited Salmon Cascades, though it was too early in the season to see any salmon
- Hiked the Sol Duc Falls Nature Trail and spent time enjoying the falls and surrounding forest
- Visited Lake Crescent
- Spent the evening with our dogs at our Airbnb
💜Day Nine – Lavender Fields & Lake Crescent
We began the day at B & B Family Lavender Farm, where we were able to walk through the fields and even pick our own lavender.
Highlights:
- Visited B&B Family Lavender Farm
- Breakfast at Granny’s Cafe on Highway 101
- Hiked to Marymere Falls via the Marymere Falls Trail near Lake Crescent
- Returned to Lake Crescent
- Spent the evening preparing for the next day’s big hike and letting our dogs explore the property. which was located on a small farm with dogs, chickens, and horses
🏔️Day Ten – Obstruction Point & Grand Lake Trail
This was one of our biggest adventure days—and most challenging.
We drove to Hurricane Ridge, then continued on to Obstruction Point Road, an unpaved and narrow 7.8-mile road with no guardrails, to reach Obstruction Point. It took about 38 minutes one way. RVs and large vehicles are not recommended due to the terrain. Travel at your own risk!
Highlights:
- Hiked the Grand Valley Trail (aka Grand Lake Trail, 8.7 miles round trip), starting from Obstruction Point. This trail offers stunning views of Mount Olympus from a high elevation
- Returned to town for a late lunch at Costco (we were craving calories after that hike!)
- Visited the Sequim Dog Park with our pups
- Ended the evening back at Hurricane Ridge for a breathtaking sunset and moonrise, with a chance to view the moon through a large telescope
🏞️Day Eleven – One Last Stop at Mount Rainier
We packed up early and made the 4-hour drive to Mount Rainier National Park. We only had a day here but wanted to make the most of it—especially since we missed wildflower season the previous year.
Highlights:
- Hiked a 5-mile section of the Pacific Crest Scenic Trail with our dogs
- Enjoyed the stunning wildflower-filled meadows, which were in full bloom this time
- Took in views of the iconic snow-capped Mount Rainier before to our Airbnb in Spokane, Washington
Final Thoughts on Part Two
And just like that, our Pacific Northwest road trip came to a close. On day twelve, we packed up and hit the road home—tired, happy, and full of unforgettable memories. Our dogs got to explore so many new places with us. Even though they couldn’t join us on every trail, we created a schedule that made space for them to enjoy the journey, too.
From muddy hikes to foggy coastlines, wildflower meadows to mountain ridges, this part of our trip was filled with quiet beauty and unexpected adventures. Traveling with our dogs made the experience even more special. We hope this post helps you plan your own Washington coast road trip—or at the very least, offers a little inspiration for your next getaway.
If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out Part One for the first half of our adventure.
Between Tales & Trails 
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