Portland → Cannon Beach
A little coast time
Sea stacks, a sandy stroll, lunch in town, and an optional Ecola viewpoint. A simple escape with room to linger.
Best: All year; best April–September
$4 USD
Wildlife & outdoors · Washington
Seattle to Puget Sound shores day trip
A wilder side of Seattle
Forest paths, Puget Sound views and wildlife watching. A shore-based Seattle day plus a separate booked Edmonds whale-trip option; sightings are never guaranteed.
- Time
- 8–9 hour shore day
- Driving
- About 1½–2½ hours city driving
- Best time
- All year; best June–October
- Updated
$4 USD
One-time purchase. You own your guide forever and can return for the latest update any time.
Suggested times, not bookings
Your day at a glance
- 8:00 amLeave your Seattle accommodation
- 9:00 amDiscovery Park in Magnolia
- 11:00 amCross to West Seattle for lunch
- 12:00 pmAlki Beach shoreline
- 2:00 pmLincoln Park: forest and shore
- 3:30 pmReturn to your accommodation
- Alternative dayEdmonds whale-watching excursion
Highlights
Worth the trip
- Discovery Park birds & viewpoints
- Alki & Lincoln Park shores
- Separate Edmonds whale excursion option
What’s in the guide
Matching HTML and PDF guides, detailed stop guidance, rules, practical pitfalls, a route map, Google Maps, Waze and Apple Maps links, weather alternatives and phone instructions. See an example guide →
Plan for the conditions
Expected seasonal weather
Seattle is usually mild and mostly dry from June to September, with long evenings. From about mid-October the rainy season sets in: cool rain, low cloud and brighter breaks, chilly mornings, and early darkness: from late November to early January sunset comes before 4:30 pm. Open Puget Sound shorelines and boat decks feel much colder in wind than downtown at any time of year. Fog, choppy water and poor visibility can limit wildlife viewing, and strong wind can make forest walks and boating unsafe. On a boat, dress warmer than for a city walk. These are seasonal expectations, not a forecast for your travel date; check the NWS forecast and marine conditions before you go.
Admission and parking are separate. Check current conditions before departure.
Another good day
More Pacific Northwest day trips
Tacoma → Mount Rainier
A day above the everyday
Forest trails, waterfall viewpoints, and the glaciers above Paradise. Short walks, a clear route, and a weather backup.
Best: Mid-July to early October
FreeGet free guide
Portland → Tillamook → Cannon Beach → Astoria
The big north coast day
Cheese and ice cream, iconic sea stacks, and Columbia River views. Three coastal favorites in one ambitious day.
Best: June–September
$4 USD
Portland → Mount Hood
A mountain day within reach
A lakeside view, a village lunch, and historic Timberline Lodge on an out-and-back from Portland on US 26, with flexible walks and a lower-elevation backup for unsettled mountain weather.
Best: July to early October
FreeGet free guide
Halloween in Portland · Family day or adult evening
A little spooky. A lot of Portland.
Halloween-season choices in Portland, with two separate plans: a family day built around the Oregon Zoo's Howloween weekends, and an adult evening in Sellwood ending at Scaregrounds at Oaks Park. Includes the Davis Graveyard yard display, costume rules, rain backups and phone routes.
Best: October; best October 15–31
FreeGet free guide
Portland → Columbia River Gorge
A day worth falling for
Four waterfall stops, forest walks and Gorge scenery. A flexible day with parking guidance, seasonal weather advice and shorter options.
Best: All year; best April–May and October–November
$4 USD
Seattle → Pike Place & waterfront → Seattle Center
Seattle City Walking
A Seattle walking day through Pike Place Market, the rebuilt waterfront, Olympic Sculpture Park and Seattle Center, with an optional monorail return.
Best: All year; best June–September
$4 USD
Seattle → Bainbridge Island → Seattle
Puget Sound: A Bainbridge Day
Walk onto the Bainbridge ferry for Puget Sound views, Winslow cafés, Eagle Harbor and a free art museum. No car needed on the island.
Best: All year; best May–September
$4 USD
Portland → Cascade Locks → Hood River → Parkdale
Portland to Hood River
A Columbia River Gorge drive with Bonneville Fish Hatchery, Cascade Locks, Hood River waterfront and downtown lunch, plus one harvest-season orchard stop near Parkdale.
Best: Mid-September to October
$4 USD
Seattle → Anacortes → optional Deception Pass
Seattle to Anacortes
A drive-to-island day with Washington Park shoreline views, downtown lunch and Cap Sante, plus an optional Deception Pass detour. Includes a shorter Anacortes-only version.
Best: All year; best May–September
$4 USD
From Forks → Hoh Rain Forest → optional Second Beach
Hoh Rain Forest & Olympic Coast
Two short rainforest loops with time to notice the moss, followed by an optional Second Beach walk. Includes Ruby Beach, Kalaloch and Rialto alternatives, with guidance on bridge and road closures.
Best: Late May to mid-October
$4 USD
Seattle → Stevens Canyon Road → Paradise → Reflection Lakes → Skyline Trail
Mount Rainier: Stevens Canyon & the Skyline Trail
Cross the park the long way: Stevens Canyon Road from the east, Myrtle Falls, a picnic at Reflection Lakes, then the Skyline Trail past Glacier Vista and Panorama Point. Includes a shorter turnaround and a bad-weather plan.
Best: Late July to late September
$4 USD