Tucked in the upper left hand corner of the lower 48 states, lie the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas - truly a paradise! Surrounded on three sides by water, small communities grace shorelines as slopes decked in firs, pines and hemlocks give way to jagged snow capped mountain peaks of the Olympic Mountains and fall away to stunning scenic vistas along the windswept coastline of the Pacific Ocean. First settled several thousand years ago by Native Americans, this land is home to the Olympic Rain Forest and miles of deep glacial carved fjord, called the Hood Canal. It is also home to three of the four top rated public golf courses in the state of Washington, including the Olympic Course at Gold Mountain ranked in the 2002 Zagats Survey as one of the top 25 courses in the country and home of the 2006 National Public Links Championship.

A vast diversity of plants and wildlife thrives here. Stand under towering Douglas fir trees more than two hundred feet tall, see octopuses that weigh three hundred pounds or more, or study the teeming life in tide pools along the ocean beaches. Walk gentle paths through the lush foliage of the rainforest. Or walk along Hurricane Ridge and enjoy splendid views of the rugged Olympic Mountains to one side and Port Angeles, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Victoria, British Columbia on the other. Thrill to the sight of soaring eagles, or a pod of Orcas at play. Marmot, Roosevelt Elk, deer and black bear may be seen from woodland trails. You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an elusive cougar or bobcat.

Recreational opportunities abound. Fish, kayak or sail on the Hood Canal in the morning. Visit the Olympic Rain Forest, snowshoe, snow board or cross country ski in the Olympic Mountains the same afternoon. Visit a local winery, relax in a natural hot spring, or shop in the many unique gift shops and art galleries.

You can reach the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas by car or ferry. Drive north on highway 101 from Olympia. This scenic loop will take you around the perimeter of the Olympic Peninsula, providing access to the entire peninsula including the Olympic National Forest, the Olympic Mountains, and the ocean beaches along Washington's Pacific Coast. Or arrive in Kitsap via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge or aboard a car ferry from Seattle. Ferries run to either Bremerton or the City of Bainbridge Island. There is also a car ferry from Edmonds, north of Seattle, to Kingston on the north Kitsap Peninsula.

The Olympic Peninsula
The drive north along the scenic Pacific Coast on highway101 from Queets to Ruby Beach runs along the Olympic National Wildlife Refuge, through the coastal portion of the Olympic National Park. The Pacific Ocean will be to your left while the snow-covered peaks of the Olympic Mountains tower on your right. Here rain forests sit nestled at the base of the Olympic Mountains. Mt. Olympus at 7,965 feet is the highest peak in this rugged young mountain range.

Olympic National Park includes over 60 miles of primitive natural coastline, most of which is only accessible by hiking. Stunning views of sea stacks, cliffs, islands and ocean tumbled sun bleached drift logs of mammoth proportions are displayed against the changing backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Tide pools teeming with crab, starfish and anemones invite exploration at low tide.

Stop at Ruby Beach and hike down the steep trail to the fog shrouded ocean beach. In stormy weather take care to remain a safe distance away from large tree trunks being washed up on shore by the waves. Many such huge logs lay scattered along the beach where they were tossed by huge storm waves. You might be lucky enough to find a glass float used on Japanese fishing nets washed ashore. It takes the ocean currents about a year to carry the floats across the Pacific to our coastal beaches. Enjoy scenic views of sea arches and offshore islands.

Heading inland from Ruby Beach on 101 just north of Hoh Oxbow take the eastward spur of 101 following the Hoh River about 19 miles to the Hoh Rain Forest visitor center. This is the stating point for several hiking trails, including Hall of Mosses Trail.

Further north along highway 101 at the confluence of the Sol Duc, Calawah, and Bogachiel Rivers is the town of Forks, an agricultural center dating back to the late 1870's. By the 1880's Forks also became a thriving commercial logging town. The Forks Lumber Museum includes vintage logging equipment and a fire lookout tower. The rivers that gave Forks its name continue to draw visitors and fishermen here today to revel in spectacular runs of steelhead trout.

Just north of Forks turn west on 110 and follow Mora Road to Rialto Beach. Bring a picnic and explore the scenic beauty of the sea stacks and drift logs for a day or come equipped to camp and hike along many miles of shoreline only accessible on foot.

Take a hike in the Olympic National Park rainforest along the Sol Duc River. Under a cathedral like canopy of Sitka Spruce and Cedar draped with moss you eventually will hear the rumble of Sol Duc Falls. If the sun is shinning you can be sure you'll see a rainbow in the mist of the falls. Stand on the wooden bridge and watch the river swirl away below your feet.

Relax at nearby Sol Duc Hot Springs. Natural mineral water flows from the springs at 128 degrees and is pumped into three large outdoor swimming pools. There are camping and lodging facilities nearby.

Head east on Highway 101 past picturesque Lake Crescent to Port Angeles. The natural harbor is protected by a 4.5 mile long sandbar called Ediz Hook. Port Angeles offers visitors a wide range of activities from charter fishing in the abundant fishing waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to hiking in the Olympic Mountains at nearby Hurricane Ridge. Shop in the many gift shops and art galleries, visit a winery or relax on the beach. Ferries run daily to Victoria, British Columbia, located just 18 miles across the Strait.

The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is located 3 miles north on Kitchen Dick Road off of Highway 101. The six mile long Dungeness spit is the longest natural sandspit in the United States, and forms a saltwater lagoon that is home to more than 250 species of birds. The New Dungeness Lighthouse, built in 1927, sits at the far end of the spit and is accessible only by hiking the length of the spit or arriving by boat.

Sequim is a popular retirement community located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains. This area enjoys a sunny dry climate and diverse recreational opportunities. Play on the beaches, fish, climb in the mountains, hike through rainforests or shop in the many unique art galleries and gift shops. There are many developed camping facilities located in this area. Sequim is a Klallam Indian word meaning "calm waters". If it's boating you enjoy, visit John Wayne Marina in Sequim. The famous actor donated land for the marina so he could share his favorite fishing spot with many others.

Just before 101 dips south again take Highway 20 North to Port Townsend, the Bed and Breakfast capital of the Pacific Northwest. Port Townsend is one of the oldest cities in the state, with numerous examples of Victorian architecture. Elaborate facades of historic buildings line the bay along Water Street. Filled with art galleries, restaurants, antique stores and quaint novelty shops this is a lively downtown area.

Nearby Fort Warden State Park was an important part of Washington's costal defense in the 1890's with its strategic position at the entrance to Puget Sound. Handsome Victorian officers homes and the nearly 6,000 square foot commanding Officers House have been restored and decorated with Victorian era furniture and are open to the public.

The Kitsap Peninsula
Cross the Hood Canal Bridge to enter the Kitsap Peninsula. Kitsap Peninsula is predominately rural, with much of the population living in small shoreline communities.

Just a few minutes away from Port Gamble on Highway 104 stop off for a picnic at the Salsbury Point County Park. This waterfront park offers a grand view of the Hood Canal Bridge and Hood Canal.

Historic Port Gamble, located on Highway 104 in North Kitsap, resembles a 19th century New England village. This charming Pope and Talbot mill town has been preserved much as it was in the lumber mill days of the 1850s. Visit the general store and museum and take a stroll through town to view more than 30 Victorian style houses, buildings and churches that have been restored, complete with gas lamp streetlights, and are now a National Historic District.

Poulsbo, a quaint Norwegian town on Liberty Bay still maintains close ties to its sister city of Namsos, Norway. It's small shops and Norwegian décor lend a Scandinavian flavor to this North Kitsap town. Viking Fest is a traditional Poulsbo celebration held in May, and "Vikings" in traditional garb are always much in evidence at the Poulsbo 4th of July parade.

The City of Bainbridge Island's main commercial center is a short 35 minute ferry ride from Seattle. Bainbridge has a flourishing arts community, and is also home to the Bloedel Reserve. Formerly a private estate, this 150 acre property including a bird marsh, Japanese garden reflection pool, moss garden and woodlands are now open to the public. The Agate Pass Bridge on highway 305 connects Bainbridge Island to the rest of Kitsap County.

Silverdale, located at the head of Dyes Inlet in Central Kitsap is a busy commercial center and home of the Kitsap Mall. Old Town Silverdale is located down on the waterfront and is a bustling business community. Silverdale is host to the Whaling Days Festival, Hydro races in July, and Old Town Harvest Festival in October.

Bremerton, also located in south Kitsap, is the largest city on both peninsulas with a population of 38,900. Its history as a naval town began in the late 1890's, and is still much in evidence today. The Puget Sound Naval Base is the Northern home of the Pacific Fleet. Bremerton also has direct passenger and car ferry service to downtown Seattle.

Port Orchard shops specialize in antiques and its large marina provides a safe harbor for boaters throughout the area. A foot ferry connects Bremerton and Port Orchard. South of Port Orchard, you will find rural farm land mixed with forest and a freeway connecting the peninsula to the mainland through the city of Tacoma.

And if you need an urban fix, it's only a short distance away…