People come from all over the world to enjoy the special festivals that Sequim has to offer.
Irrigation Festival
The Irrigation Festival began when the early pioneers completed the irrigation ditches, by hand, from the mountains to the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, turning the semi-arid desert into a blossoming valley dotted with farms. Every year, there are plenty of fun events culminating in the Irrigation Festival parade. Read more about the event here: Sequim Irrigation Festival.
Lavender Festival
As the Sequim-Dungeness Valley grew and became more populated, locals wondered how they could bring more people to the tourist destination, as it moved away from dairy farming and more into a retirement area. Farms, large and small, still speckle the valley, and a group decided to venture in lavender farms, as the soil was conducive to growing it. Out of that successful venture came the concept of a Lavender Festival, and today, it draws thousands of people to the area to enjoy the farm tours, many lavender based products and fun. Learn more about the Festival here: Lavender Festival
Sequim Valley Wineries
Eight award winning wineries and cideries located in Sequim, Port Angeles, Nordland, and Port Townsend on Washington State’s beautiful Olympic Peninsula. Many of wineries on the North Olympic Peninsula make their wines from the grapes in eastern Washington. Some harvest their own from vineyards here and on the west side of the Cascade mountains. The wineries use classic methods of creating unique wines. Come and taste. You’ll be glad you did! Learn more here: Olympic Peninsula Wineries
Hiking the Discovery Trail
The Trail has been in the making for more than 20 years, and each year, a new segment is added, with the goal of having a trail running from Port Townsend to Neah Bay, Washington. The Sequim-Dungeness segment of the trail runs by the Audubon Society’s building and across the old railroad bridge and beyond. The bridge itself was historic, used previously along the railroad track that hauled logs from the forests to the ports where they were shipped to Seattle and other places. When the railroad was removed, and the trail replaced it, it drew groups of hikers and bicyclists for various events throughout the spring and summer to the Sequim area. The bridge, originally with wood planks, now has a concrete walkway across the Dungeness River, where there are great views. Learn more here: The Discovery Trail
Tourist Activities
The scenery in Sequim is truly breathtaking.Indoors or outdoors, there are few locations that rival the many and varied activities that are available on the Olympic Peninsula. The scenery alone is breathtaking enough to spend the large portion of a day just sitting, or walking or biking and viewing the majesty. Try the Olympic Discovery Trail or one of Sequim’s many parks for starters if this is your idea of a blissful way to pass a day. Or, for something more unusual, rent a kayak from The Bosun’s Locker and enjoy the scenery as you paddle around the quiet waters of Sequim Bay.
Shells are readily found while beach combing.
Beachcombing is another popular activity here on the peninsula. Many interesting shells and other items get washed up onto the shore from the gentle, lapping waves of the Puget Sound. If you are particularly adventurous and full of endurance, you might try walking out the Dungeness Spit to the New Dungeness Lighthouse. Built in 1857 it was the first lighthouse to be lit on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Sequim boasts two award winning wineries. Originally developed as an agricultural community, there are still several local farms that are open to the public, with U-pick fruits and flowers. Sequim also boasts two of the wineries on the Olympic Peninsula Winery Loop: Olympic Cellars and Lost Mountain Winery, both producers of award-winning wines.
If it is indoor activities you prefer, take some time to learn more about area history at the Museum & Arts Center or the Sequim Branch of the North Olympic Library System. Spend an afternoon perusing the quaint shops of the downtown area, or work out extra energy at the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center. Feeling lucky? Seven Cedars Casino is close-by, offering Las Vegas style gaming in a friendly atmosphere.
Sequim, Washington welcomes you! Of course, this is but a sampling of the many ways to spend a day, a week or a lifetime enjoying the scenery, the freshness, the people, the community of Sequim, Washington.
But as the saying goes, don’t just take our word for it — come see for yourself. You will be truly amazed at just how much Sequim Welcomes You!
Sequim Wildlife
Wildlife abounds on the Olympic Peninsula and Sequim is certainly no exception. A birder’s paradise, Sequim has both the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park as well as the Dungeness National Wildlife Reserve on and around the Dungeness Spit. Bald Eagles nest locally in the spring and summer and feast on the salmon running up the Dungeness River in the fall. Additionally, resident flocks of Trumpeter Swans can often be seen when driving down Woodcock or Schmuck Roads.
Mother Eagle sitting on nest Father Eagle watching from perch. Our wildlife is precious to us and locals go to great lengths to protect and accommodate it. Building was even halted on a home near the Priest Rd. “Bald Eagle Tree” so that the nesting mother would not be disturbed by the construction. A local herd of Elk crosses the two-lane Highway 101 on an almost daily basis as they travel from the foothills on the south side of the highway to the grazing fields on the north side of the highway. As a protective measure, some members of the herd have been equipped with radio transmitters which activate flashing lights on the “Elk Crossing” signs along the highway.
Here are a few other sights to see around the North Olympic Peninsula within driving distance from Sequim:
Hurricane Ridge
Located in the Olympic National Park, it is one of only two places where the visitor may enjoy the Olympic high country by road. Frequent Pacific storms blanket these mountains in deep snow every winter.
Jamestown Sunrise
A clear spring morning begins in the Dungeness Valley with the sun breaking over the shoulder of the 10,778 ft. volcano, Mount Baker some 75 miles away. The community of Jamestown, on the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, is home to the Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe.
Beach Sands at Fort Worden State Park
About 45 minutes from Sequim, near Port Townsend is Fort Worden. While beach lovers enjoy the clean sands and clear waters of these inland waters, the 100-year old light of Point Wilson continues to keep faithful vigil over Admiralty Inlet – the entrance to Puget Sound.
The New Dungeness Light Station
Built at the end of the Dungeness Spit in 1857, was the first American light to be put into service north of the Columbia River. The 5 1/2 mile spit, one of the world’s longest, continues to grow about 20 feet per year. It now extends over 1/2 mile beyond the lighthouse. This product of natural erosion and tidal currents, plays host to millions of migratory waterfowl each season.
Marymere Falls
Located near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park is a favorite of many visitors. The short trail to this 90 ft. waterfall passes through a beautiful lowland old-growth forest, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.
Kalalock Creek
Kalalock Creek, like countles others on the windward side of the Olympic Mountains, drains the lush temperate rain forests where precipitation is often more than 12 feet per year. In this coastal region enjoy views of Olympic National Park, quiet seas, meandering streams, and glowing sunsets.
The Sol Duc River
Sol Duc River as viewed from the Klahowya (Hello in Indian) Campground. The Sol Duc River offers world class Steelhead & salmon fishing. Along with the great fishing the Olympic Peninsula scenery is MAGNIFICENT! Along this river wildlife such as Balk Eagles, Deer, River Otter and Roosevelt Elk can often be seen.