Know Before You Go: About Ocean Shores
You'll want to bring along a healthy dose of curiosity when you explore Ocean Shores
This Washington coastal town is for nature lovers. Splash through the surf on horseback or steer a colorful kite in the wind. Go for a bike ride along the shore and find your own patch of sand for a picnic and tossing a Frisbee around. If you're here during razor clam season, grab some buckets and shovels, pull on some rubber boots and go digging for dinner at low tide.
A Coastal Climate
Ocean Shores is blessed with an almost constant breeze, which makes flying kites a popular pastime. July through September offer the warmest days when temperatures hover in the high 60s and the sunshine usually burns off the morning fog quickly. You'll see the least amount of rain during this time, sometimes only an inch or two a month. If you’re in town between November and March, you might find the beach dusted with snow. Even then, the temperature averages about 40, so if you see the white stuff, get out and enjoy it before it melts away.
A Whale of a Tail
Visiting in the spring? Grab some binoculars and head for the beach. The gray whales are back in town and you'll see them splashing about offshore, migrating to Alaska from Baja California with their babies in tow. Sign on with a whale-watching tour for a closer look, or learn more about whales and the other animals along the coast at the Coastal Interpretive Center. Need to work off some energy? Head for Pacific Paradise, a family-friendly park that features miniature golf, bumper boats and an arcade.
Doing Business
Ocean Shores is one of the best places along the Washington coast for booking a fishing charter, watching the whales or dining on fresh local seafood, so it's not surprising that retail shops, accommodations and restaurants make up more than a third of the local industry. Parks — like the Ocean City State Park — are also part of the tourism-based economy. Logging and the South Union Sawmill in nearby Elma also contribute.
Getting Around Town
Ocean Shores lies on a finger of land separating the Pacific Ocean from the protected waters of North and South Bays. One of the most enjoyable ways to get around is by bicycle. Many of the roadways are flat, making it easy to pedal away as you overlook the Pacific. Mopeds are another option and they're available in town. If you'd like to hop the bus, Grays Harbor Transit takes you to the Ocean Shores Marina, Ocean City State Park and other places around town. Flying in? The closest commercial airport is Seattle-Tacoma International, about a 2 1/2-hour scenic drive that takes you through the coastal forests.
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Things to Do in Ocean Shores
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Best Restaurants
Bring a healthy appetite and your sense of fun when you dine out in Ocean Shores.