Port Angeles (PA) is less polished and more authentic than its neighbor Port Townsend. It still has a working port and lumber mill and a large local population. Its downtown, though, is charming and filled with lots of public art and sculptures. Located between the cold waters of the Straight of Juan de Fuca to the north and the Olympic Mountains looming to the south, PA is surrounded by natural beauty. Its location also makes it an ideal place to stay while exploring the northern part of the Peninsula or while waiting to take a ferry to Victoria.
There is a very nice info center by the Victoria ferry terminal whose staff provide great tips and suggestions of things local to check out. The info center also offers a detailed walking guide brochure to all of the public art. Even if you don’t pick up the brochure, be sure to keep an eye out for numerous sculptures and murals around town.
From the ferry terminal and on the other side of the mall, the large blue city pier serves as a public focal point for the city. On the pier is a viewing tower that is worth the climb and the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center. The Science Center is small but does a good job of teaching the biology of the local marine animals – plus it gives opportunities to actually touch some of them as well. The city pier is home to numerous concerts and festivals in the summer.
Next to the pier is Hollywood beach (which is marked by the ever present “Beach Logs Can Be Dangerous” sign). At the corner of the pier and beach is the Waterfront Trail, which follows the shoreline for 6.5 miles and makes for a great afternoon stroll.
In town, for a great view, climb to the top of the stairs at the fountain at the intersection of Front and Laurel Streets.
Restaurants and Other Food
There are quite a few options for eating out in PA. These are the few restaurants we have visited enough to recommend:
- Dynasty (136 East First / 360-452-8687) is your typical Chinese restaurant: cheap, good, and filling. The staff is always friendly.
- Fiesta Jalisco (636 East Front / 360-452-3928) is a fairly authentic Mexican place a few blocks east of the Royal Victorian Hotel. The food is good and the margaritas are served cold.
- Mama’s Bakery (215 S. Lincoln / 360-457-3585) was formally known as Bonnie’s and serves sandwiches, soup and coffee in a cool old building.
- Country-Aire Natural Foods (117 East First / 360-452-7175) is a health food store which has a decent selection of vegetarian supplies, but not much in the way of prepared foods.
- In the summer, the freshest food can be found at the Port Angeles Farmer Market downtown.
- There’s also both a Safeway & Albertsons Foods in town.
Cafes and Pubs
Peak’s Brew Pub (130 S. Lincoln / 360-452-2802) has a good assortment of Northwest microbrews on tap, including some strong, good stuff that they make themselves. The pub is cozy and laid back with a friendly staff that will make a visitor wish they lived in Port Angeles so they could make Peak’s their regular spot. The owners take a lot of pride in both their beer and their chili, so you should take in a whole meal while you're there - you won’t be sorry.
At night, the Other Side (130 East Front) is a tried and true sports bar with coin-operated pool, darts, and occasionally random music and live DJ shows. Irish Jack's (134 W Front), down the street is a more up-scale (for PA) place to hang out and listen to music.
To get your caffeine and Internet fix at the same time, be sure to check out the Olympic Coffeehouse & Internet Café (133 E First St). It’s a high tech, sophisticated place that seems like it would be more at home in Urban Seattle than PA.
Accommodations
In the off-season, Port Angeles is filled with great, cheap deals. During the summer, plan on camping or staying at a hostel. Our favorite places to stay in PA are:
- The Flagstone Hotel (415 East First / 360 457-9494), 3 blocks from the ferry terminal, is our favorite place to stay when we are in town. Outside of a hostel, it is one of the cheapest place in town and has a pool and sauna. Need we say more?
- The Royal Victorian(521 East First / 360-452-8400) is next door and offers wi-fi but lacks in places to wear a swimsuit. Both of these hotels are inexpensive, clean and secure.
- Thortown (316 North Race / 360-452-0931) is a great hostel. It’s casual, comfortable, and cheap.
