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Passenger ferry service between Ocean Shores
and Westport is available on weekends during spring and fall months,
and daily during the summer. The 71 passenger El Matador (above)
departs from the Ocean Shores marina every hour and a half. The
20 minute crossing is always entertaining and delightful. Contact
the Westport/Ocean Shores Ferry at 268-0047
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Nearly
150 years ago, Finnish farmers brought cranberries to the
Grayland area which is now home to more than 80 cranberry
growers and a thousand acres of "the little red jewel."
Blossom time in late June and harvest in late September and
October provide a spectacular show of color. Tours of the
bogs are available during the annual Cranberry Harvest Festival
in October. A visit to the Historic Grayland Community Hall
is a must, especially for the annual Driftwood Show and the
bi-annual Grayland Players productions. (Information courtesy
of Grays Harbor Tourism).
Grayland is approximately 45 miles from Ocean Shores (1 hour
drive) and is close to Westport along the South Beach area
of Grays Harbor.
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Only 45 minutes north of Ocean Shores you'll
find some of the most beautiful country on earth. In fact, there
are only a few temperate rain forests in North America, and three
of them (Hoh, Queets and Quinault) are part of the Olympic National
Park. The historic Lake Quinault Lodge (worth the trip in itself)
sits on the serene shores of Quinault Lake and offers excellent
dining with fabulous views of the lake.
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The
Hoquiam Castle is a 1897 Victorian mansion which is featured
on both the state and National Historic Registers. While it
is currently an operating Bed & Breakfast, tours are provided
daily from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The castle provides harbor
views, five rooms, private baths, tea room, ball room, etc.
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The
North Beach area includes Ocean Shores, then extends north
along Highway 109 for nearly 35 miles. Along the way visitors
will pass through the towns of Ocean City, Copalis Beach,
Pacific Beach, Moclips and Taholah on the Quinault Indian
Reservation. Some of the most spectacular beaches on the West
Coast can be found in the North Beach area.
There are a variety of acommodations (resorts, cabins, lodges,
hotels, campgrounds, and RV parks), restaurants, dozens of
unique galleries and gift shops, and a variety of activities.
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The
South Beach, also referred to as the Cranberry Coast, is located
on the south side of Grays Harbor. This area boasts 18 miles
of pristine beach extending from Westport through Grayland
to North Cove and Tokeland.
Long famous for its miles of Pacific Ocean beaches and deep-sea
salmon, rock fish and tuna fishing, Westport also offers year-round
surfing, whale watching, and a scenic Maritime History Trail.
This 6.5 miles bike and pedestrian pathway links the Westport
Maritime Museum and the Grays Harbor Lighthouse. The lighthouse
at 107 feet, is the tallest lighthouse in Washington State
and the second tallest on the entire West Coast. It has been
assisting mariners into the harbor for more than 100 years.
Westport's marina, the largest on the Washington coast, is
bordered an esplanade from which visitors can see busy commercial
and sports-fishing charter boats and, in season, they can
fish or go crabbing from the marina's docks.
Go-karts, bumper boats, an aquarium, and arcade are available
to entertain the youngster in all of us. (Courtesy of Grays
Harbor Tourism)
Westport is directly across the entrance to Grays Harbor from
Ocean Shores. In season, visitors can take thepassenger
ferryacross (approximately 20 minutes). The drive around
Grays Harbor to Westport takes about an hour - 45 miles.
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