Showers, Surf, Sunshine: Spring in Ocean Shores

Bright & Stormy

2 Scoops Rainfall – Half sprinkled in, half poured heavy

1 Scoop Moody Clouds

1 ½ Scoops Blustery Wind – Add at varying speed

1 Dash Hailstones

1 Pinch Lightning & Thunder

Several Generous Scoops Sunshine – To taste

Add all ingredients to a sandy peninsula, and mix vigorously, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed. Divide evenly into individual days, and bake for 12 weeks at 45 – 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or until the arrival of Summer.

There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather

Late autumn through early spring tends to be somewhat of a forgotten season on the Washington Coast, as hotel parking lots dwindle to just a few cars, traffic on city streets is light and beachgoers wander the entire stretch of sand to themselves. But the offseason has so much to offer, especially for those inclined to being outdoors, as long as they can dress adequately and don’t mind dodging periodic rain and thunderstorms. For those willing to tolerate the lapses in weather, many days, especially during the spring, feature bright sunshine and comfortable conditions.

Washington’s Original Beach Resort

In the Grays Harbor County portion of the Washington Coast, perhaps the most well-known beach town is Ocean Shores. With a long history of being Washington’s coastal playground, Ocean Shores was once a draw for celebrities and well-off families to build second homes or post up at a resort for a weekend. In the late 1960s, it was considered to be one of the richest towns per capita in not only the state, but the whole country, and was, according to some accounts, the second most popular vacation spot in the Pacific Northwest behind only Seattle. Commemorative plates even list the tagline “Washington’s Foremost Resort Community.” But as Father Time works his magic, change is inevitable. The boom times and posh celebrity digs faded away, and now Ocean Shores is a community of about 7,000 residents, many of which are retirees. Another significant portion of the homes are family vacation properties, with a smattering of beachfront hotels for visitors. Traffic swells in the summer, as hot weather farther inland, along with popular festivals and holidays such as 4th of July, drive families to the beach in droves.

Opt Outside (Usually)

Picture this: the rain has been pounding for 3 days, winds increasing the past 12 hours. Gusts are now cresting the 50mph mark, and the rain is piercing sideways like little daggers. Oh, and don’t forget multiple bursts of small hail so far today. Sounds like a good time to stay inside, pour a cup of Oolong and curl up with a good book. Not for my father and I. I’m not sure whether it is a sense of adventure and adrenaline seeking, or if being inside for several days had induced some sort of wild cabin fever evolving into a pseudo-masculine desire to “brave the harsh wild.” Whatever it was, we drove to the North Jetty to do a little storm watching. Just trying to walk and stay upright aside, we ended up with salty sprays to the face as massive waves slammed into and over the jetty. Between that and the rain, we were thoroughly soaked within minutes. With our storm fix, we laughed about it pretty much the full 10-minute drive back to the house.

Options Abound

Whether rainy or sunny, Ocean Shores has six miles of beach, some of which can be driven on (check local regulations for where to access via automobile and for seasonal closures or restrictions). The Chance A La Mer beach approach right in town is always popular, providing vehicular or pedestrian access both north and south, while some of the access points to the south feature less people and leisurely walks through the dunes to reach the beach. (The lot off Butterclam St has a great selection of balls for your 4-legged friend to choose from).

Beachcombing just about anywhere along the peninsula beaches is a local favorite, even on stormy days. Winter sees significant deposits of debris, much of which has ridden the currents all the way across the ocean from Asia. I recently found a tube of caulking with Japanese characters on it, while another local posted photos on Facebook of a Chinese liquor bottle that had come to rest at the tide line. Every high tide brings a significant amount of trash, so I always make sure to take a bag to fill (several of the beach access points have trash receptacles for beach waste).

In terms of smaller treasures, I believe Damon Point has the best beachcombing, especially if you are a fan of agates. If the weather is decent, consider walking the entire length of the spit, following an old road that has since been rendered unusable by storms and tides. The direct route to the end is about a mile each way, while circumnavigating the spit runs a total of about 4 miles (more info here). The leeward side tends to be less blustery, though the windward side features more impressive waves. During high tide, the waters cut off the majority of the peninsula from the marina access, so be aware of water levels and tide tables.

Another great rain-or-shine option to stretch your legs is the Weatherwax Nature Preserve, with just over a mile of loop trails that wind through some beautiful untouched native forest. During spring, salmon berry and huckleberry plants are in bloom, and the leaves are opening up. Keep an eye out for deer and resident songbirds. Spring is also when the largest animal residents emerge from their winter slumber; Ocean Shores does feature a small population of black bears, though they are rare to encounter in person.

And for the most leisurely of walks, the city recently opened a new stretch of paved trail through the dunes, starting at the Chance a la Mer parking lot and heading north for about half a mile. This trail is ADA-accessible and features numerous benches for relaxing or enjoying a picnic, plus trash receptacles and doggie waste stations. Views reach in all directions across the dunes, providing a scenic look at the various native plants and some tidal wetland areas.

Hang 10…or 18?

One of the biggest winter draws is surfing, with the expansive beaches at Damon Point, on the far south of the peninsula, featuring a great succession of rollers. Even on a rainy day, you are likely to see at least a couple surfers out trying to catch a wave. In town, North Coast Surf Shop has everything you need to get set up for an afternoon on the water.

If golf is more your pace, hit the links at Ocean Shores Golf Course, where rates are reasonable, especially midweek, and where you may be more likely to share a fairway with an overwintering flock of White-Fronted Geese than other golfers.

Kids Just Wanna Have Fun

If the young ones just aren’t up for the beach, Ocean Shores has several options for family fun. One of the top draws year-round is Pacific Paradise, with 36 holes of miniature golf for the sunbreaks, and a large arcade with fan favorites such as skeeball, air hockey, racing games and much more. A quick hop across the main boulevard takes you to Playtime Family Fun where go-karts will bring out your inner Dale Earnhardt or Mario Andretti. For the stormiest of days, it is hard to beat bowling, and Shores Bowl is ready to show off recent updates to flooring and lanes, while also offering billiards and some bowling alley grub. Take a few steps south, and Ocean Shores Cinema also proudly displays new upgrades, with all-new flooring and luxurious seating. They show both new Hollywood releases and some old favorites on three screens, at prices far lower than the megaplex at your local mall (Don’t miss $5 Tuesday!)

Ocean Shores might not scream “shopping” to many people, but the main commercial district offers a generous variety of shops to browse. Crafting, thrifting and antiquing are popular draws, while little ones will love all the tourist-oriented souvenir shops, especially the iconic Sharky’s, where every kid wants their photo taken in the enormous Great White jaws over the front door. I also am quite partial to Ocean Shores Soapworks, with numerous varieties of handcrafted soaps, plus clothing and great gift options.

Happier Than a Seagull with a French Fry

When your belly starts rumbling after a day of beachcombing, surfing or family activities, Ocean Shores serves up a tasty menu of local restaurants. After my favorite taco shop closed up, I was so happy to have a new addition: Taqueria Los Tres Figgies just recently opened their new location in town! Our favorite for sharing is an order of Quesabirria and Mulitas, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

If the salty air has you craving seafood, Bennett’s is the place to be, with all the coastal staples such as battered cod and halibut, clam strips and prawns, crab and cheddar melt or a steaming bowl of clam chowder.

For a fun evening out, Galway Bay has classic Irish fare, plus the best live music on the peninsula. Check out the connecting Celtic gift shop before or after your meal. If the kids give a simple one-word answer when you ask what they want (pizza!), my go-to is Red Genie Pizza, with large pie offerings and all the toppings you can hope for.

If you are vacationing without the kids, however, your evening is not complete without a stop at Ocean Pours Taproom for great regional lagers, IPAs and winter warmers. Once you’re up the next morning, swing by Ocean Beach Roasters for a rich cup of joe, delectable pastry, or a full breakfast. Be warned the pastry case empties quickly, especially on the weekend!

Get Out There!

Though the weather may be unpredictable, spending a few spring days down at the coast is sure to serve up fun and good memories. For another stellar option, turn left instead of right in Aberdeen, and visit Westport. Look for all the details in my next article!

For media and publication inquiries: eric@corneroffirstandadventure.com

A previous version of this article was initially written for Explore Washington State