Lake Quinault, Washington

Lake Quinault, as viewed from July Creek Picnic Area in Olympic National Park.

We spent three days visiting Pacific Beach, which is located south of Olympic National Park and north of Ocean Shores on the Washington State coast. During this weekend getaway we spent one of our days driving up to Lake Quinault, which is located on the southern edge of Olympic National Park. The lake happens to be located within the Quinault Rain Forest and provides ample hiking and outdoor opportunities.

I also have two other entries from the trip that discuss our time spent in Pacific Beach and our visit to the town of Ocean Shores.

The drive from Pacific Beach to Lake Quinault took about an hour. Upon arrival, we immediately headed to the Lake Quinault Lodge where we hoped to eat an early lunch.

The regal lodge was built in 1926, was styled after Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. President Roosevelt happened to visit the lodge in 1937, and, evidently, the topic of establishing a National Park occurred over lunch. Nine months later, the bill creating Olympic National Park was signed by the president.

The lodge offers visitors rooms in the main part of the lodge and in several outlying buildings. Guests will enjoy relaxing on chairs spread throughout the property, most of which feature a beautiful lake view. The lodge also offers boat rentals and fun games to play including horseshoes.

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge

Interior of Lake Quinault Lodge

Interior of Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge

The view from the deck of Lake Quinault Lodge

Liz and Adam at Lake Quinault Lodge

Shyawn and I at Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge

The view of the lake walking down from Lake Quinault Lodge.

Lake Quinault at Lake Quinault Lodge.

Yes, my fiance is a socks and sandals kind of guy!

Lake Quinault Lodge

Pacific Beach, Washington (Lodging, Dining, and Sightseeing)

Pacific Beach State Park

We spent three days visiting Pacific Beach, which is located south of Olympic National Park and north of Ocean Shores on the Washington State coast. Our friends Adam and Liz also joined us on this weekend trip, which took us about three hours to reach from Seattle.

This entry will document lodging, dining, and sightseeing in Pacific Beach. I also have two other entries from the trip that discuss our day-trip to Lake Quinault and our visit to the town of Ocean Shores.

Lodging: After having had so many wonderful experiences renting condos through VRBO, I decided to, once again, peruse the website for a place to stay for this particular weekend. The Coastal Nest Cottage, with one of the highest number of ratings for places on the Washington State coast, stood out to me immediately. Since we were traveling with another couple, a two bedroom place was a must. Additionally, the design scheme inside the house looked almost too good to be true. And finally, at a rate of only $160 per night, I knew it was a solid choice.

Upon arrival at our little cottage, all of the hype that was mentioned of the house on VRBO was lived up to and then some. As we walked inside the bright and airy space, there was soft music playing in the background. The interior of the house was decorated in a classy yet whimsical beach/nautical theme that was definitely deserving of it being featured in Fresh Cottage Magazine. It was obvious that so much thought and attention was throw into every last little detail; it was incredibly fun to photograph! The house featured two full bedrooms, one of which featured french doors that opened up to a deck. The back yard had a fire pit, which we enjoyed for several hours on one of our nights. The kitchen was fully equipped with all of the necessary utensils, cookware, and serving pieces that you would need in order to cook a full meal. Unfortunately, we only booked two nights at the cottage but should have booked a minimum of three. All of us were tremendously sad to leave the quaint little cottage and hope to return again!

Front exterior of the Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

The deck off of the master bedroom at Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

The deck off of the master bedroom at Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Backyard deck at the Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

No detail was left forgotten, including the sand dollars that lined the exterior of the house!

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Our first view of the house as we walked in.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

One of the beautiful bedrooms at the Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

The second bedroom at the Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

The bathroom at the Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.

There were lovely shells placed all around the cottage.

Coastal Nest Cottage in Pacific Beach, Washington.