Day Trip from Seattle: Ocean Shores, Washington

The Washington coast is a sight to behold.

If you're looking for a gorgeous, memorable day trip from Seattle, head to Ocean Shores, Washington. From Seattle Southside, it takes just over a couple hours to drive to this charming coastal town. This still leaves enough time to enjoy a jam-packed day of beachside fun.

Why Visit Ocean Shores?

The Washington coast may not fit the image of a hot, tropical beach, but it has a truly unique beauty that will win you over at first sight. The long, sandy coastline seems to stretch on forever, inviting long, peaceful walks. You can admire the washed-up white driftwood, towering dunes, and crashing waves. Ocean Shores is on the cool side for much of the year, but during the summer, it is generally warm enough to sit or lie out, and even wade into the waves (cold, but refreshing!). Visitors love flying kites, searching for sand dollars, and soaking up the view.

Check out the photos and videos from real travelers (below) to get a sneak peek of this stunning area.

Getting to Ocean Shores, Washington

If you're visiting the Seattle area, we recommend staying in Seattle Southside, the area surrounding SEA Airport. It's a convenient home base with 60+ hotels, easy access to major highways, and plenty of rental car options. You can search our directory to view all hotels and filter by amenities such as free airport shuttles, breakfast, pet-friendly rooms, and indoor and outdoor pools.

From Seattle Southside, the drive to Ocean Shores typically takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. (Do note that if you leave on a Friday or Sunday afternoon in the summer, the traffic can definitely add time). The route follows Interstate 5 south before heading west through forests and small towns toward the Pacific Coast. No ferries are required, making this one of Washington's easiest coastal day trips.

sandpiper on beach at Ocean Shores Washington

What to Do in Ocean Shores

Relax on the Beach

Ocean Shores features roughly six miles of broad, sandy shoreline, giving visitors plenty of space to spread out even on busy summer weekends. Set up a beach chair, build sandcastles, take a long walk along the surf, or just watch the waves roll in. During the warmer months, you'll also spot people flying colorful kites, horseback riding, and enjoying beach bonfires where permitted.

Explore Damon Point

At the southern end of Ocean Shores, Damon Point is one of the area's most scenic natural attractions. This narrow spit of land extends into Grays Harbor, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding wetlands. The flat walking trails make it an easy outing for most visitors, and it's one of the best places in town for birdwatching. Depending on the season, you may spot herons, pelicans, shorebirds, seals, or other wildlife.

Browse the Shops Downtown

Ocean Shores embraces its classic beach-town personality. Along Point Brown Avenue, you'll find souvenir shops, local boutiques, bookstores, candy stores, and plenty of places to pick up coastal décor or a sweatshirt to remember your trip. No visit feels complete without stopping for a bag of fresh saltwater taffy, one of the town's signature treats. Buddy & Howie's Old Fashioned Sweet Shoppe has become a longtime favorite for visitors looking to sample dozens of flavors.

Play Mini Golf or Go-Karts

Want a rush before driving back? Ocean Shores has several classic family attractions, including miniature golf, bumper boats, arcades, and go-karts. Places like Pacific Paradise Family Fun Center make it easy to spend an afternoon between beach visits, especially if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Go Razor Clamming (In Season)

Ocean Shores is one of Washington's premier razor clamming destinations. During approved digging seasons, thousands of visitors head to the beach with lanterns, shovels, and rubber boots in search of these famous Pacific Northwest shellfish. Clam digs are carefully managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, so be sure to check current openings and licensing requirements before planning your trip.

driftwood fire on the beach at Ocean Shores, Washington

Our Review

At Explore Seattle Southside, we're all about road-testing Northwest adventures. Here's what one of our team members experienced on a day trip:

When: Summer

Who: Four friends (all adults)

How it Went:

"We set off on our journey at 9 a.m., and even with a few short detours, reached our destination before noon. Ocean Shores features six miles of spacious public beach that you can drive directly onto from five road access points. The area we entered was bustling with people riding horses and scooters, relaxing by their vehicles, and walking along the sand.

The next stage of our adventure was to locate a classic confection of coastal towns in the Pacific Northwest: saltwater taffy. Along the way, we happened upon a popular photo-op at a kitschy storefront shaped like a gaping shark’s mouth. Naturally, we felt inclined to partake in the tourist fun. At Buddy & Howie’s Old Fashioned Sweet Shoppe, we filled paper sacks full of saltwater taffy.

Next, we headed to Ocean City State Park Beach for a picnic lunch. On this particular section of the beach, all vehicles were prohibited, so there were far fewer visitors. The weather that day was ideal, and despite the wind, it was reasonably warm. We spent hours taking in the simplistic joys of the beach, such as running inland from the tide and back out, writing in the sand, chasing seagulls, and soaking up the view. Even without spending much money, there was never a dull moment, especially for four adults!"

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