Squirreled away in Sequim
Nestled along the bank of the Dungeness River near the base of the Olympic Mountains, Sequim boasts a rich aboriginal history, charming downtown, and rocky beaches along Sequim Bay. (Pro tip: If you want to be accepted by the locals like a modern-day Jane Goodall, make sure you pronounce it “squim” – natives drop the “e.”) It’s also known for its scenic lavender farms, and it’s popular with foodies thanks to the area’s thriving Dungeness crab population. A centrally located Sequim vacation rental will put regional highlights like the Museum & Arts Center and Sequim Bay State Park right outside your doorstep.
Live the wild, wild life in Sequim
A driving tour of the Olympic Game Farm will bring you face to face with a wide array of exotic animals, including buffalo, tigers, and kodiak bears. (Oh my.) The 92-acre Sequim Bay State Park features almost a mile of shoreline, plus campsites and boating facilities. It’s also home to a section of the 120-mile Olympic Discovery Trail, connecting Port Townsend to the Pacific Ocean. Wondering how a city got a name like Sequim? Just head to the local history exhibits at the Museum & Arts Center, where you’ll also encounter a rotating series of artworks.
Sequim with the current
With a river, bays, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, you’ll discover a bounty of fishing, boating, and kayaking, and whalewatching tours are a must during the summer months. Outdoorsy types will find hiking trails and scenic vistas in the nearby mountains of Olympic National Park, which is also also home to a number of ski resorts open during the winter months. Lavender farms are a big business here, too, and a summertime Sequim vacation rental just might put you in town during the Lavender Festival, an annual celebration with food, music, and craft booths.
Sequim – the Mediterranean northwest
Because it’s in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, Sequim is a relatively dry pocket in a region known for rain, and its Mediterranean climate has earned it the nickname “The Blue Hole of Sequim.” The city only sees about 16 inches of rainfall each year, most of it between autumn and spring. Summers are dry and warm, with highs of 70ºF in July and August. Winter highs are in the upper 40s, but lows regularly dip below freezing. You’ll find the low temperatures mean that prices for Sequim vacation rentals are a littler lower in the winter months, too.
Salty, scenic Sequim
Sequim lies in the valley of the Dungeness River, flanked by the Olympic Mountains in the south and west. The river itself is home to salmon and trout, and the areas around the river are great for spotting a number of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. To the east is Sequim Bay, a 4-mile long saltwater inlet of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The strait serves as the area’s northern boundary, and it’s connected to the nearby Puget Sound, where you can spot orcas during the summer, and a wide array of shore birds year round.
Transportation options to and around Sequim
The nearest airport is in Port Angeles, WA (CLM-William R. Fairchild Intl.), located 18.3 mi (29.5 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you might consider flying into Victoria, BC (YWH-Victoria Inner Harbour Seaplane Base), which is 26.8 mi (43.2 km) away.