A Slow Day on Hurricane Ridge: Coffee, Mountain Views and Dinner on Front Street
Hurricane Ridge is the mountain you can see from almost everywhere in Port Angeles, and it's only about 45 minutes from our front door to the top. That makes it the perfect anchor for an easy, slow day: coffee downtown, a morning above the clouds, lunch back in town, a wander along the waterfront and a good dinner on Front Street. You'll be home before dark with a bag of groceries and plenty of photos.
The day at a glance: The Great Northern Coffee Bar or First Street Haven → Hurricane Ridge and Hurricane Hill → lunch at Next Door Gastropub → waterfront and Welly's → Safeway → dinner at The Spruce or Kokopelli Grill.
Early morning · Coffee and breakfast downtown
Start at The Great Northern Coffee Bar at 118 W 1st St for a proper latte and something sweet for the road. If you'd rather sit down for a real breakfast, First Street Haven is just down the block at 107 E 1st St, a cozy little spot that has been feeding hungry hikers for years.
Our tip: grab snacks and fill your water bottles before you leave town. Services at the top of the ridge are limited, so bring what you'll want for the morning.
Morning · Drive up to Hurricane Ridge
From downtown, head south on Race Street and follow the signs up Hurricane Ridge Road. It's about 17 miles and roughly 45 minutes of switchbacks, climbing from sea level to more than 5,000 feet. Pull over at the viewpoints on the way up; on a clear morning you can see across the Strait of Juan de Fuca all the way to Canada.
At the top, the Olympic Mountains open up in front of you: Mount Olympus and a whole wall of glacier-covered peaks. Early mornings are the calmest and the light is beautiful.
Mid-morning · Walk the meadows or hike Hurricane Hill
Easy: the short paved paths right by the parking area wander through wildflower meadows in summer. It's common to see black-tailed deer grazing nearby.
A little more: Hurricane Hill is about 3.2 miles round trip on a paved trail from the end of the road, with a steady climb to a summit that looks out over the mountains on one side and the Strait on the other.
In winter: the ridge turns into a snow playground for snowshoeing, sledding and cross-country skiing, but the road is only open on certain days and as conditions allow. Always call the road hotline at (360) 565-3131 before you drive up.
Bring layers. It can be sunny in town and windy and 20 degrees colder on the ridge.
Midday · Lunch at Next Door Gastropub
Back in town, head to Next Door Gastropub at 113 W 1st St. It's a lively, local favorite, best known for its burgers, with a good list of beers on tap. If it's busy, put your name down and take a short walk downtown while you wait.
Afternoon · The waterfront, ice cream and the farmers market
Walk a few blocks down to the water. The City Pier and the waterfront trail are lovely for an afternoon stroll, with views of the harbor, Ediz Hook and the ferry coming in from Victoria.
Then get a cone at Welly's Real Fruit Ice Cream at 115 E Railroad Ave, where fresh fruit is blended right into vanilla ice cream in front of you. It's a treat the kids will remember.
If it's Saturday: the Port Angeles Farmers Market runs year-round at the Gateway pavilion, 133 E Front St, usually from 10 AM to 2 PM. Go earlier in the afternoon to catch it, and pick up local berries, bread, cheese and flowers for the house.
Late afternoon · Groceries at Safeway
For a full grocery run, the downtown Safeway at 110 E 3rd St is the easiest stop and has everything you need to stock the kitchen for the rest of your stay. If you'd like a local pint before dinner, Angeles Brewing Supplies & Taproom is right around the corner at 116 N Lincoln St.
Stock the house with: breakfast for tomorrow, picnic supplies for your next park day, coffee, snacks and drinks for the evening.
Evening · Dinner on Front Street
Two of our favorite dinners are on the same street, so pick based on your mood:
The Spruce, 128 E Front St: Pacific Northwest comfort food made from scratch. The fried chicken sandwich is a crowd-pleaser.
Kokopelli Grill, 203 E Front St: Southwest flavors with local seafood. Order the smoked salmon chowder.
Then head home, put your feet up and watch the last light on the mountain you stood on this morning.
What to pack for this day
Warm layers, a hat and a wind jacket for the ridge
Sunscreen and sunglasses, even on cool days
Water and snacks for the morning
A National Park pass for the Hurricane Ridge entrance
A reusable bag for the farmers market
Café and restaurant hours shift with the seasons, so check before you head out. For roads and trails, check current Olympic National Park conditions before you go.
Planning your stay? See our homes in Port Angeles. We'd love to host you.
With warmth, Kim & Gavin
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