LOCAL SEAFOOD
Slurp briny Kumamoto and Olympia oysters along Hood Canal, or crack fresh Dungeness crab bought right off the fishing boats in Newport.
The Pacific Northwest.
NORTH AMERICA/UNITED STATES/46.1512° N, 121.9560° W
Low grey clouds break over Puget Sound while deckhands haul crates of live Dungeness crab onto the docks at dawn. East of the volcanic spine of the Cascades, the temperate rainforest abruptly yields to high desert sagebrush and irrigated apple orchards. This corner of the country runs on cold water, wild salmon, third-wave espresso, and damp wool sweaters. You come here to walk among giant hemlocks, eat impeccably fresh bivalves, and discover that rain rarely stops anyone from doing anything.
Last updated 31 Aug 2026
Field notes
Photographs · Wikimedia Commons© OpenStreetMap
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What The Pacific Northwest is about
Twelve ways to read the region. Pick a town below and you can turn any of these into a timed 1, 2 or 3 day plan.
WINE & VINEYARDS
Sip earthy Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley, then sample Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in the sunnier Walla Walla AVA.
COFFEE CULTURE
Start your morning at independent roasters in Seattle and Portland, where single-origin pour-overs are treated with monastic precision.
OLD-GROWTH FORESTS
Walk beneath moss-hung Sitka spruces in the Hoh Rain Forest or giant western redcedars along the Quinault River trail on the Olympic Peninsula.
VOLCANIC PEAKS
Hike alpine meadows below Mount Rainier, gaze across the crater of Mount St. Helens, or drive the winding road up Mount Hood to Timberline Lodge.
ISLAND FERRIES
Catch the state ferry from Anacortes out to Orcas and San Juan Island to watch for orcas while eating hot chowder on the windy upper deck.
CRAFT BREWING
Order a fresh-hop IPA pulled from the tap in Bend, Hood River, or Bellingham, using local cones harvested straight from Yakima Valley farms.
COASTAL WALKS
Trek along Cannon Beach beside basalt sea stacks, or explore the rocky tide pools of Olympic National Park at low tide around Ruby Beach.
PUBLIC MARKETS
Browse stalls piled high with wild chanterelles, Marionberries, and whole King salmon at Seattle's Pike Place or the Portland Farmers Market.
RIVER CANYONS
Drive Historic Columbia River Highway past Multnomah Falls, watching kiteboarders carve through the gusty waters of the river gorge.
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE
Study ancient cedar carvings, longhouses, and woven baskets at the Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center or the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute.
HIGH DESERT TRAILS
Hike along dramatic rhyolite spires in Smith Rock State Park or follow trails through juniper forests near the Deschutes River in Bend.
Where to go in The Pacific Northwest
The bases worth booking. Each one has its own field guide with 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries.
- 01Seattle
WASHINGTON / UNITED STATES
Sip roast coffee, browse Pike Place fish stalls, and catch the ferry across Puget Sound.
- 02Portland
OREGON / UNITED STATES
Wander neighbourhood food cart pods, independent bookshops, and leafy streets lined with craft breweries.
- 03Port Angeles
WASHINGTON / UNITED STATES
Base yourself here for morning trailheads into Olympic National Park and ferries to Vancouver Island.
- 04Friday Harbor
WASHINGTON / UNITED STATES
Stroll the harbour docks, kayak with marine life, and explore the relaxed farmland of San Juan Island.
- 05Cannon Beach
OREGON / UNITED STATES
Walk wide sands beneath Haystack Rock and sample fresh Dungeness crab cakes in a quiet coastal town.
- 06Hood River
OREGON / UNITED STATES
Watch windsurfers on the Columbia River before touring orchards along the Fruit Loop drive.
- 07Bend
OREGON / UNITED STATES
Trade rain gear for sun in the high desert, with craft breweries, lava caves, and Cascade mountain trails.
- 08McMinnville
OREGON / UNITED STATES
Anchor your Willamette Valley wine tastings along a historic, tree-shaded third street lined with bistros.
- 09Bellingham
WASHINGTON / UNITED STATES
Enjoy a laid-back bayfront hub for Chuckanut Drive seafood shacks and Mount Baker alpine hiking.
- 10Astoria
OREGON / UNITED STATES
Climb the hilltop column overlooking the Columbia River bar and tour gritty Victorian working-port streets.
- 11Leavenworth
WASHINGTON / UNITED STATES
Hike into the rugged Alpine Lakes Wilderness from this Bavarian-themed mountain river base.
- 12Newport
OREGON / UNITED STATES
Watch sea lions on the historic bayfront and buy fresh Pacific cod straight off the commercial fleet.
What to do in The Pacific Northwest
Defined by the Cascade Range, Puget Sound, and the crashing Pacific shore, this region balances wild nature with relaxed urban culture. Days start with dark drip coffee and end beside fire pits with fresh-hopped beer or Willamette Pinot Noir. It rewards road trippers, hikers, and curious eaters who prefer damp cedar air and fleece layers over curated resort polish.
When to go to The Pacific Northwest
July through September delivers warm, sunny days and clear mountain trails. Autumn brings wine harvest in Yamhill County and rich coastal mushrooms, though rain returns by late October. Winter brings heavy Cascade snow for skiers, while spring brings blooming valleys and quiet coasts.
Getting around The Pacific Northwest
A rental car is essential for coastal highways and mountain passes. Washington State Ferries connect Seattle to Olympic Peninsula roads and the San Juan Islands. Budget about three hours to drive between Seattle and Portland on Interstate 5, or take the scenic Amtrak Cascades train.