Road Trip from Portland or Seattle to Olympic National Park
Heading to Olympic National Park on a Road Trip? Stock Up on Snacks & Sips at these Roadside Stops.
The road -- or ferry -- to Port Angeles, Washington is an adventure itself. Prioritize these unique pit stops to stock up on food and beverages that will elevate your Olympic National park visit in the most delicious ways.
From Portland
Your first opportunity for pre-park fun comes about an hour north of Portland at McMenamins Kalama Lodge. This Hawaiian-inspired oasis is situated along the Columbia River and provides endless eye candy. Wind your way past secret rooms, murals, stained glass and tropical bar lounges. Chow down on any meal of the day at the pub. Make a stop at their market for house-roasted coffee and road snacks.
Kalama Lodge also features guest rooms and cabins if you need to explore a bit more. Fans of the Twilight series definitely should. The town of Kalama is where many of the high school scenes were filmed. Forks, a town on the western edges of Olympic National Park, served as the homebase for much of the filming.
For an iconic diner experience - and a 20 pound party-sized cinnamon roll, stop by Stuffy’s in Longview. Need something on the go? Make sure to order a “Kool-7” with your carry out order for a refreshing 7-up with Kool-Aid ice cubes.
While you’re in Longview, cruise over to Roland Wines. There are plenty of jaw-dropping picnic spots throughout Olympic National Park, and a bottle of wine pairs quite well with a snowy mountain peak or sapphire lake. If you’re hungry, you can fuel up on their wood-fired pizza and friendly hospitality.
As you wind up the 101, a pick-me-up may be in order. Vault Books and Brews in Shelton has just the stuff: espresso, handcrafted Italian sodas, sandwiches and local ice cream. Be sure to browse the bookshelves and the original vault doors. Built in 1910, the building was one of the town’s first banks.
If you missed the first diner stop, then make sure to order from Hoodsport’s Burger Stand. Don’t let that simple name fool you. This is not your average roadside stop. There is also a selection of Korean teriyaki dishes to explore as well as generous seafood platters. Or combine the two with a Bulgogi Burger!
Tip: The southeastern entrances to Olympic National Park, Staircase and Dosewallips, can be trickier with closures. Its always good todo your research first. For a sure bet, keep heading north.
Nearby you’ll find a true taste of the Olympic peninsula. Hama Hama is a 5th generation family-run oyster farm celebrating over 100 years of ocean delights this year. The farm store is open seven days a week and sells sandwiches, soup and oysters. Grab a picnic table and a shucking knife for the purest of PNW experiences. There’s also an outdoor eatery that runs Friday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended. Tip: You can find fresh Hama Hama oysters served at Kokopelli Grill in Port Angeles too!
For a final fuel up before hitting the park, Quilcene Village Store will not disappoint. Right on the 101, they have everything. Seriously. Snag fresh meals and packaged snacks plus gas, an array of beverages, camping gear and gourmet treats. Grab what you need for breakfast in, picnics out in the park and the activities in between.
From Seattle by Car
Tacoma's Gig Harbor is worth a stop. Get your sugar fix at Fusion, an artisan donut shop in the morning and a laid-back lounge in the evenings. From classic Bear Claws to their signature line of handmade donuts like Strawberry Dream Cake, you'll want to grab a dozen for the road.
If you enjoy finishing off park adventures with a bottle wine, hop off route for a quick 15 minutes to snag some bottles at Olalla Valley VIneyard & Winery. Stretch your legs on their gorgeous grounds. Or relax for a moment with a flight and one of Olalla’s hand selected picnic baskets of meats and cheeses.
For a classic (not edible) roadside stop experience, check out the Bremerton Bug and Reptile Museum. Explore their bug collections and meet their myriad of live reptiles and insects. This fun, creepy-crawly distraction is free and open 7 days a week.
Travel back in time at The Big Apple Diner in Bremerton. Dive into an old-fashioned milkshake, cruise the jukebox or devour a big breakfast anytime of day. The vintage gift shop and friendly service definitely add to the vibe.
If you’re on the hunt for more local beverages, stop by Bushel & Barrel Ciderhouse in Poulsbo for some bottles of cider. Their crisp, balanced ciders go well with about any snack and are a unique way to enjoy the celebrated Washington apple.
Stock up on artisan bread, pastries and sandwiches as well as craft cheeses, meats and produce at Butcher and Baker Provisions in Port Gamble. Or take the time to savor Bananas Foster French Toast or steamed clams and handcrafted sausage from the cafe. Before returning to the road, head down the block to Port Gamble General Store for an ice cream or espresso treat.
Before connecting to Hwy 101, veer off via Hwy 19 to taste hard apple ciders and enjoy the farm-y vibe at Finn River Farm & Cidery. We recommend booking a tour of their fruit farm and bottling facility, and staying for lunch. Check out their event calendar for special events and save the date for the annual Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival.
You’ll soon connect up with the 101 and begin to head west. Keep your eyes and your nostrils open for fragrant lavender farms in Sequim and Agnew. For a final leg stretch, by 7 Cedars Casino to try your luck at the casino, and check out the beautifully carved Jamestown S'Klallam totem poles while you're there.
From Seattle by Ferry
To save some gas, you can take the Bainbridge Island Ferry across Elliot Bay. If you like wine, there are several wineries on the island to enjoy once you drive off the ferry. Check out Via Rosa 11, Italian Market & Kitchen for wood-fired pizza, grab-and-go dishes as well as picnic-perfect imports from their market.
From here, you’ll drive through Poulsbo and can refer to the Driving from Seattle recommendations above for additional stops.
Post-park Grub in Port Angeles
Your road trip adventure has turned into park exploration. Well done! As you wrap up your day in Olympic National Park wandering rainforests or paddling through crystal clear water at Lake Crescent, Port Angeles has the eats and the drinks to top things off. Hop right out of the park into a cozy pub for a brew and an easy meal. Or go ahead and get gussied up and treat yourself to a night of fine dining.
Sleep well at one of Port Angeles’ hotels, motels or Airbnbs and recharge for another day’s adventure in Olympic National Park.