Port Angeles City Pier Washington
A scenic waterfront city and gateway to Olympic National Park, offering stunning views and outdoor adventures.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Free live music & beer garden
Port Angeles City Pier Washington
Best Time
Free live music & beer garden
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A scenic waterfront city and gateway to Olympic National Park, offering stunning views and outdoor adventures.
"Great views of the bay and pier, with a tower offering even better panoramic vistas. "
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Rain is common year-round, even in summer. Always bring a jacket!
🎶 Free Pier Concerts
Enjoy live music every Wednesday evening on the City Pier during summer.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Port Angeles City Pier
Waterfront
Stroll along the pier, enjoy bay views, and climb the tower for panoramic vistas of the Strait and mountains.
Hollywood Beach
Adjacent to City Pier
A scenic spot perfect for watching ferries, launching kayaks, or simply enjoying the coastal atmosphere.
Dungeness Crab Festival
Downtown Port Angeles
An iconic fall event celebrating local seafood and culture with a festive atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Embrace the Outdoors
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Rain is common year-round, even in summer. Always bring a jacket!
🎶 Free Pier Concerts
Enjoy live music every Wednesday evening on the City Pier during summer.
🔭 Climb the Tower
The pier tower offers fantastic views of the bay and town.
🦀 Taste of the Town
Don't miss the Dungeness Crab Festival in the fall for a culinary treat.
Tips
from all over the internet
🧥 Pack for All Weather
Rain is common year-round, even in summer. Always bring a jacket!
🎶 Free Pier Concerts
Enjoy live music every Wednesday evening on the City Pier during summer.
🔭 Climb the Tower
The pier tower offers fantastic views of the bay and town.
🦀 Taste of the Town
Don't miss the Dungeness Crab Festival in the fall for a culinary treat.
🚗 Gateway to Adventure
Port Angeles is a prime base for exploring Olympic National Park.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Port Angeles is praised for its stunning natural beauty and its role as a gateway to Olympic National Park, offering breathtaking bay and mountain views. However, some visitors find the town itself disappointing and crowded during peak summer months, suggesting off-season visits for a more peaceful experience.
"Port Angeles is very disappointing place but the proximity to the Olympic Park entrances is compensating the above. Could be a great base for many hikes in the adjacent Park. City Pier is worthy to visit. Stayed in a small renovated (expensive) clean house equipped with everything you need."
M. D.
"Wonderful location but would advise visiting during the off season. I've been here many times and although it's beautiful in the summer, it's crowded as heck and will just spoil the fun with the gobs of tourists. Find a pleasant day during the winter and you'll be able to actually enjoy the scenery without a bunch of people rubbing elbows with you. Worth the trip though."
Daniel Bennett
"Great view of the bay and pier. Go to the pier and up on the tower for an even better view. Plenty of stuff to see and also birds and crustaceans too.
Remember to bring a jacket because it tends to rain whenever it wants to including summer months too."
Doua Moua
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can drive to Port Angeles from Seattle via ferry, which takes about 2.5 hours from the Seattle terminal or 2 hours from the Edmonds terminal.
The City Pier area and downtown are walkable, with restaurants and a small museum near the pier.
Having a car is highly recommended for exploring the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park, as public transport is limited.
You can watch ferries come and go from Hollywood Beach, which is located at the City Pier area.
Yes, Port Angeles is considered a great base for many hikes in Olympic National Park and exploring the surrounding areas.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, enjoy free live music concerts every Wednesday from 6-8 PM on the Port Angeles City Pier during the summer months.
No, the Port Angeles City Pier is a public space and does not require tickets for entry or general access.
The tower on the City Pier is generally accessible during daylight hours when the pier is open to the public. Specific hours may vary seasonally.
Hollywood Beach, located at the City Pier area, is a public beach and does not have an admission fee.
The Dungeness Crab Festival typically takes place from October 10-12 annually in downtown Port Angeles.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can enjoy beautiful views of the bay, watch ferries, climb a tower for panoramic vistas, and experience free live music on summer evenings. +1
Visitors often spot birds and crustaceans near the pier and along the waterfront.
The pier is generally accessible, and the tower has wide, marine-grade stairs, making it relatively easy to climb.
The tower at the end of the City Pier offers excellent views of the town, wharf, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Port Angeles experiences rain frequently, even in summer. It's advisable to always bring a jacket.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
You can dine at Bella Italia, a restaurant featured in the Twilight saga, known for its mushroom ravioli.
Port Angeles celebrates its seafood, especially Dungeness Crab, with events like the annual Dungeness Crab Festival.
While specific recommendations vary, the town offers various dining options, from casual eateries to places inspired by local culture and films. +1
Yes, Dungeness Crab is a local specialty and a highlight of the town's culinary scene.
Yes, there are cafes in Port Angeles, offering spots to relax and refuel during your visit.
📸 📸 Photography
The City Pier, Hollywood Beach, and the tower on the pier offer great opportunities for capturing waterfront and mountain views. +1
You can photograph stunning coastal landscapes, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Mountains, and ferry activity.
The pier and waterfront areas provide beautiful backdrops for sunset photography, with the water and mountains creating dramatic light.
Fans of the Twilight saga can visit locations like Bella Italia restaurant, which has been featured in the films. +1
Be prepared for variable weather; overcast skies can create moody, atmospheric shots, while clear days offer sharp, vibrant scenery.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting Hollywood Beach for a relaxed time by the water, perfect for sandcastle building or simply enjoying the coastal scenery. If visiting during the summer, the free Wednesday evening concerts on the pier can be a fun, low-cost activity for the whole family. For a taste of local culture and a unique dining experience, a visit to Bella Italia can be an engaging stop, especially if your children are fans of the Twilight saga.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Exploring Hollywood Beach is also free and provides a scenic coastal experience. For those interested in hiking, Port Angeles serves as an excellent and affordable base for accessing Olympic National Park, where many trails are free to use (though park entrance fees may apply for certain areas or longer stays). Packing your own snacks and picnic supplies can also help save money on dining expenses.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Be prepared for dynamic weather conditions, as the often-overcast skies can create dramatic and moody shots, while clear days offer vibrant, crisp scenery. The ferry traffic provides opportunities for capturing maritime action. For fans of the Twilight saga, the Bella Italia restaurant offers a unique thematic photo opportunity.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Port Angeles as a Gateway to Olympic National Park
When planning your park adventures from Port Angeles, consider the varied landscapes. The Hurricane Ridge area provides breathtaking panoramic mountain views and is accessible by car. For a different experience, head west towards the Hoh Rainforest to wander among ancient trees draped in moss. The park's coastline, with its dramatic sea stacks and tide pools, is also a must-see. Remember to check park conditions and any required reservations or permits before your visit, especially during peak season.
Beyond the main attractions, the park offers numerous hiking trails for all skill levels. Whether you're seeking a short, scenic walk or a challenging multi-day trek, Olympic National Park has something to offer. Port Angeles provides convenient access to supplies, lodging, and information to help you make the most of your exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Waterfront Charm: The City Pier and Hollywood Beach
Adjacent to the pier is Hollywood Beach, a charming stretch of coastline that serves as a picturesque spot for various activities. It's an excellent location for watching the ferries glide across the water, a common sight in this active maritime region. For those inclined towards water sports, it's also a suitable place to launch a kayak and explore the calmer waters near the shore. The beach provides a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a quiet moment or a family outing.
During the summer months, the City Pier transforms into a lively venue with free live music concerts every Wednesday evening. This event, often accompanied by a beer and wine garden, creates a festive ambiance, drawing people together to enjoy the music and the scenic waterfront setting. It's a fantastic way to experience the local community spirit and enjoy a pleasant evening by the water.
Port Angeles and the Twilight Saga
A must-visit for Twilight enthusiasts is Bella Italia, a restaurant in Port Angeles that was featured in the books and films. This Italian eatery is known for its ambiance and specific dishes, such as the mushroom ravioli that Bella orders. Visiting Bella Italia offers a tangible connection to the Twilight universe, allowing fans to step into a piece of the story's world.
While Port Angeles is the 'real' town, Forks, Washington, is the primary filming location for many outdoor and specific town scenes. However, the general moodiness of the Pacific Northwest, with its lush forests and often overcast skies, contributes to the overall aesthetic of the Twilight saga, making Port Angeles a relevant destination for fans seeking to immerse themselves in the world of vampires and werewolves.
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