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Most visitors to the Olympic Peninsula arrive from Seattle.\u00a0 To get there, take a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton or from Edmonds to Kingston.\u00a0 Once you get off the ferry, follow signs to the Hood Canal Bridge.\u00a0 The distance to the Bridge from the Bainbridge Island and Bremerton ferry terminals is the same distance, although the ferry ride from Seattle to Bremerton is 30 minutes longer than to Bainbridge Island.\u00a0 Travel time to the Bridge from the Kingston ferry terminal is shorter, but the drive from Seattle to Edmonds can be long, depending on traffic, and the ferry lines in Edmonds are usually longer.<\/p>\n
Once you get to the Bridge, you are approximately 30 minutes from Port Townsend, 45 minutes from Sequim, and a little over an hour from Port Angeles.<\/p>\n
Sequim is pronounced \u201cskwim.\u201d \u00a0Take a look at this video to see how to pronounce and to learn more about my favorite town<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you are traveling to Sequim after visiting Port Townsend, be sure to get there via Highway 20.\u00a0 The views along that stretch of road are spectacular, especially if you are traveling during when the wild rhododendrons are blooming at the end of May.\u00a0 If you are traveling to Sequim from the Hood Canal Bridge, just stay on the main road after you get off the Bridge.<\/p>\n Sequim is a small farming town situated between the base of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. \u00a0\u00a0It has an active farming community where you will find small cattle farms, dairies, lavender fields, and organic vegetable farms.\u00a0 It is the Lavender Capital of North America and home to the Sequim Lavender Festival<\/a> each July.\u00a0 You can visit several lavender farms year-round: Purple Haze Lavender<\/a> and Jardin du Soleil<\/a>, as well as lavender stores on the main street in downtown Sequim.<\/p>\n Sequim owes its farming success to irrigation.\u00a0 Each year, during the first half of May, Sequim hosts The Irrigation Festival<\/a>, which is the longest running festival in Washington.\u00a0 The Grand Parade, arts and crafts festival, 5k run, and carnival are highlights.<\/p>\n Like Port Townsend, Sequim is blessed with an abundance of good food.\u00a0 Be sure to visit Nash\u2019s Farm Store<\/a> on Three Crabs Road. Nash Huber has been instrumental in founding and nurturing the farm-to-table and organic foods movement on the North Olympic Peninsula.\u00a0 Years ago, Nash began organic farming.\u00a0 Over the years, he\u2019s partnered with other farmers and property owners to lease fields throughout the Sequim area to grow organic vegetables that he sells at his Farm Store, as well as at farmers markets and fine restaurants throughout western Washington (look for him at the Ballard Farmers Market<\/a> and the University District Neighborhood Farmers Market<\/a> \u2013 in Seattle).\u00a0 He also grinds his own grains for flour and has local, grass feed meet and pork.\u00a0 You can also find roadside produce stands and several places that sell eggs.<\/p>\n There are several good places to eat in Sequim.\u00a0 For tacos and a beer check out Jose\u2019s Famous Salsa<\/a> downtown.\u00a0 The prices are very reasonable and there is indoor and outdoor seating.\u00a0 It is great for a quick bite.\u00a0 We also like Pacific Pantry<\/a> on Sequim Avenue.\u00a0 Be sure to try their smoked meats and stock up on picnic essentials.\u00a0 Our all-time favorite restaurant anywhere is Alder Wood Bistro<\/a> on Alder Street.\u00a0 Chef Gabe and his wife, Jessica, have been feeding and nurturing Sequim residents and visitors with their farm-to-table organic restaurant since 2006.\u00a0 They use locally sourced, seasonal foods which means that every time you dine there you will see something new and unique on the menu.\u00a0 Some of their producers have such limited supplies of goods that they only sell to Chef Gabe, which means you get to eat food that you would never be able to find in Seattle.\u00a0 In fact, I\u2019d put Chef Gabe up against any chef in Seattle.\u00a0 He is an absolute artist.\u00a0 As my best friend says \u201cif I had one meal left to eat, I\u2019d eat it at Alder Wood.\u201d\u00a0 Be sure to check Alder Wood\u2019s website because they have limited hours and are closed in January.\u00a0 Also, be sure to make reservations ahead of time as the restaurant often sells out.\u00a0 If you visit in the summer, be sure to request a seat in the garden where you\u2019ll be surrounded by beautiful plants, herbs, grape vines, and fruit trees.\u00a0 As Jessica says \u201cif you can reach it, you can eat it.\u201d\u00a0 Lucky for us, we have long arms and can usually reach a cherry or two!<\/p>\n For a trip back in time, check out the activities at the Sequim Prairie Grange<\/a>.\u00a0 Our favorite event there is the Ice Cream Socials in the summer and the Christmas Bazaar, but be sure to check out their flea market and pancake breakfasts too.<\/p>\n Before you leave Sequim, be sure to visit the Dungeness Spit<\/a> and Voice of America park.\u00a0 There is a nice trail along the bluff and quiet camping area.\u00a0 The big-ticket item, though, is the beach.\u00a0 After a half mile hike through the forest, you\u2019re rewarded with views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, Mount Baker, and Victoria, BC, Canada.\u00a0 You can usually see a large ship or two heading to or from the Pacific Ocean.\u00a0 On summer evenings, you can often see cruise ships on their way to Alaska.\u00a0 When you first see the spit, you will spot a lighthouse at the end.\u00a0 If you have the time (and the tides are right), you can hike there \u2013 and I recommend that you do.\u00a0 Be sure to check the tide tables and take along water and sunscreen.\u00a0 The hike is 5 miles long along the sand.\u00a0 It is well worth the trip.\u00a0 When you arrive, you can tour the lighthouse and museum and have a picnic.\u00a0 If you like, you can even book a week-long stay at the lighthouse keeper\u2019s cottage<\/a>.<\/p>\n