Grays Harbor County, Washington · Washington Coast
Things to Do in Ocean Shores, Washington
Six miles of beach you can actually drive on, a harbor full of razor clams, and a coastal town that three million visitors a year haven't quite managed to smooth out.
POPULATION
~5,600
COUNTY
Grays Harbor
FROM SEATTLE
2.5 hrs (134 miles)
REGION
Washington Coast
KNOWN FOR
Beach driving, razor clamming
FOUNDED
1960
Ocean Shores sits at the southern end of the Point Brown peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the mouth of Grays Harbor. Water surrounds the peninsula on three sides: ocean to the west, the harbor to the east, and a narrow land connection to the north. Highway 115 crosses that strip and deposits you onto a peninsula that genuinely feels removed from the rest of the coast.
The beach is the reason most people come. All six miles of it are open to vehicle traffic, which puts Ocean Shores in rare company on the Washington coast and makes it possible to drive right to the waterline, set up for the day, and walk as far as the tide will allow. Low tide reveals wide hard packed sand good for kite flying, beachcombing, and watching the surf stack up offshore. When conditions are right in fall and winter, those stacks get serious enough to draw experienced riders.
Beyond the beach, the peninsula has a canal and lake system running down its interior: calm water that offers a completely different experience when the Pacific is cold and rough. At the south end, the North Jetty reaches into the Grays Harbor entrance, offering a front row view of incoming swells and gray whale migrations in spring. The Oyhut Wildlife Area and Damon Point sit at the tip of the peninsula, covering 682 acres of wetlands and tidal flats that host more bird species than most Washington destinations can claim.
Ocean Shores draws about 3 million visitors a year to a city of roughly 5,600 residents. The draw is a combination of beach access, productive razor clam beaches when the season opens, and a low key coastal character that has managed to survive the annual tourist wave largely intact.
Getting Here
From Seattle, take I-5 south to Olympia, then head west on US-12 toward Aberdeen and Hoquiam. From Hoquiam, take US-101 south briefly and then WA-109 west to WA-115 south onto the peninsula. Total distance is about 134 miles; budget 2 hours and 30 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes without traffic. Friday afternoons crossing the Narrows Bridge add unpredictable time.
From the south, US-101 north from Astoria, Oregon connects through the Long Beach Peninsula and along the coast before reaching the Grays Harbor area.
There is no ferry access to Ocean Shores. The closest Amtrak station is in Centralia, roughly an hour east, with limited onward bus connections. If you are arriving without a car, the main commercial strip on Point Brown Avenue is walkable, but getting to Damon Point, the North Jetty, or anywhere beyond the central area requires either a vehicle or a bicycle. Bike rentals are available seasonally in town.
Things to Do
Beach
Six Miles of Driveable Pacific Coast
Ocean Shores is one of the few places in Washington where you can drive your vehicle directly onto the beach. Several designated access points along the peninsula let you get to the waterline, set up for the day, and walk as far as conditions allow. Low tide is the best time: the hard packed sand near the water is both drivable and walkable without getting stuck. Check the tide tables before parking on the beach.
Nature
Damon Point and the Oyhut Wildlife Area
At the far southern tip of the peninsula, Damon Point extends into the harbor mouth with water visible on all sides. The adjacent Oyhut Wildlife Area covers 682 acres of wetlands and tidal flats that host snowy plovers, great blue herons, pelicans, and one of the better shorebird migration windows on the coast in late April and early May. The walk is short and flat. Read the full Damon Point and Oyhut Wildlife Area guide on EWS.
Outdoors
The North Jetty: Storm Watching on the Harbor Mouth
The North Jetty stretches out from the south end of the peninsula into the Grays Harbor entrance. On calm days it is a good perch for watching boat traffic and scanning for gray whales during spring migration. From November through February it becomes one of the best storm watching locations on the Washington coast: swell lines come in hard from the open Pacific, and waves regularly wash over the jetty boulders. Dress for wind and spray.
Recreation
Razor Clamming When the Season Opens
The beaches around Ocean Shores are some of the most productive razor clam beaches in Washington. When WDFW opens a season, typically in fall, winter, and spring, diggers come from across the state to work the Copalis and Mocrocks beaches nearby. You need a valid shellfish license (age 16 and older) and a clam gun or shovel. The daily limit is 15 clams per person and you must keep the first 15 you dig. Check the WDFW website for current season dates before planning a trip around clamming.
Water
Canal and Duck Lake: Calm Water Inside the Peninsula
The interior of the peninsula has a canal and lake system dug during the original 1960s development. Eco-friendly electric boat rentals give you access to calm fresh water that is a different experience from the open Pacific: good for families with young kids, or for a morning on the water when the ocean is rough and cold.
Family
Pacific Paradise Family Fun Center
Pacific Paradise has 36 holes of miniature golf across two courses, a large arcade, bumper boats, and laser tag. It is the reliable wet weather option when the beach is socked in with fog, and it has enough variety to keep a family occupied for a full afternoon. It has been an Ocean Shores fixture for years.
Golf
Ocean Shores Golf Course
An 18-hole public course set on the peninsula with several holes bordering the canal system. The course plays easier than it looks until the coastal wind picks up: that is the variable that makes it interesting. Green fees are reasonable by Washington standards and tee times are generally available without much advance notice outside of summer weekends. See the full listing at Ocean Shores Golf Course on EWS.
“Six miles of driveable Pacific coastline, a working harbor, and a coastal town that hasn't been polished into something unrecognizable.”
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Where to Stay
Canterbury Inn
Directly on the beach, the Canterbury Inn is a condo style property where each unit is individually owned and decorated, which means rooms vary. The beachfront location is the main selling point: you can walk from your room to the sand in under a minute. Studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom suites are available, with the larger units well suited for families.
Oyhut Bay Seaside Village
The newest development on the peninsula, Oyhut Bay is a collection of cottage style vacation rentals near the south end of the beach. Units are newer and more consistent than the older condo properties, and the location near Damon Point is quieter than the main commercial strip. The on site Oyhut Bay Grill adds a strong dining option without having to leave the property.
Lighthouse Suites Inn
A waterfront property on the canal side of the peninsula rather than the ocean side, which means quieter water views and a calmer setting. Close to the commercial strip but not in the middle of it. A good choice if you want walkable access without paying for direct beach frontage.
Shilo Inn Suites
A larger property with direct beach access, the Shilo Inn is pet friendly and has the consistency of a chain with the location of a resort. Room variety accommodates solo travelers, couples, and families without a lot of friction. Works well as a base camp for a longer coast stay.
Find a Cabin Near Ocean Shores
Find a Cabin Near Ocean Shores
Food & Drink
Ocean Shores has a small but reliable dining scene that leans predictably toward seafood. These four are the ones worth knowing about.
Bennett’s Fish Shack (105 W Chance A La Mer NW) is the coastal seafood spot that earns its reputation. Battered cod and halibut, clam strips, prawn baskets, clam chowder, and a crab and cheddar melt anchor the menu. It is straightforward, well executed, and exactly what you want after a morning on the beach. Open Monday through Thursday 11 am to 8:30 pm.
Galway Bay Irish Pub (880 Point Brown Ave NE) has been on the peninsula since 1993 and is the place to go on a Friday or Saturday night. Traditional Irish dishes like shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash sit alongside live traditional music most weekends. It is the largest Irish pub in the Pacific Northwest, which mostly means it can accommodate the summer crowd.
Ocean Beach Roasters and Bistro (841 Point Brown Ave NW) handles breakfast and lunch: house roasted coffee, baked pastries, and a full breakfast menu. Open 9 am to 3 pm Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 2 pm Sunday. Worth a stop before you hit the beach.
Oyhut Bay Grill (404 Salmonberry Ln SW) is the kitchen at the Oyhut Bay Seaside Resort near the south end of the peninsula. Manila steamer clams, pan seared scallops, and hand breaded Alaskan halibut are the standouts. Open for dinner nightly; Saturday and Sunday brunch from 8 am.
Festivals & Events
March
Beachcombers and Glass Float Expo
Held the first full weekend in March, this annual event brings collectors and curiosity seekers to the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Japanese glass floats are hidden along the beach for attendees to find, and vendors sell antique floats, nautical items, and coastal collectibles. One of the more specific events on the Washington coast calendar.
March
Razor Clam and Seafood Festival
A celebration of the coast's most hunted shellfish, held at the Ocean Shores Convention Center in conjunction with an active clam season. Free to attend, with seafood vendors, live music, wine and beer. The 2026 festival ran March 20 through 22.
June
Festival of Colors International Kite Challenge
Ocean Shores has been hosting international stunt kite competition for decades. The wide, wind exposed beach provides ideal conditions, and the Festival of Colors brings competitors from around the world for two days of precision flying, choreographed team routines, and whatever the Pacific wind decides to provide. Free for spectators.
August
Ocean Shores Arts and Crafts Festival
A juried arts and crafts show held over a late August weekend at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. Regional artists show work in painting, photography, ceramics, and jewelry. Check the official website for exact dates each year.
September
Ocean Shores Motorcycle Festival
An annual event celebrating motorcycle culture with stunt performers, vendors, live music, and a parade through town. The Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Stunt and Drill Team is a recurring feature. Check current year dates before planning.
Day Trips
Westport (about 45 minutes by road)
Cross Grays Harbor to the south and you are in Westport, a working fishing town with a commercial fleet, the Westport Lighthouse, and Westhaven State Park. The surf break at Westhaven is one of the better ones on the Washington coast. Read more in the EWS guide to spending a day in Westport.
Aberdeen (about 30 miles north on US-101)
Kurt Cobain’s hometown is also home to the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, where the tall ship Lady Washington is based when not on tour. The Aberdeen Museum of History covers the region’s logging and maritime past. Allow half a day.
Long Beach Peninsula (about 1 hour south via US-101)
Twenty-eight miles of coast, the World Kite Museum, and Cape Disappointment State Park at the south end where the Columbia River meets the Pacific. Cape Disappointment has two lighthouses and some of the most dramatic headland views on the coast. EWS has a full listing for Cape Disappointment State Park.
Planning Your Visit
Summer, meaning July through mid-September, is the warmest and busiest window. Highs are typically in the mid 60s, the fog usually lifts by late morning, and beach driving is at its most pleasant. Winter, from November through February, is storm watching season: the North Jetty provides a front row seat for Pacific swells and the crowds thin significantly. Spring is when razor clam seasons typically open on the Ocean Shores beaches, though WDFW sets exact dates and can open or close a season quickly based on biotoxin tests. Check the WDFW website before planning a trip around clamming.
Plan for at least two nights to cover the beach, the jetty, Damon Point, and a meal without feeling rushed. One night works if Ocean Shores is a stop on a longer coast loop.
More Ocean Shores on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ocean Shores known for?
Ocean Shores is known for its six miles of driveable Pacific beach, productive razor clam beaches, storm watching at the North Jetty, and the Damon Point and Oyhut Wildlife Area at the southern tip of the peninsula. It draws roughly 3 million visitors a year to a city of about 5,600 permanent residents.
Is Ocean Shores worth visiting?
Yes, particularly if you want an accessible Pacific beach that has not been over-developed. The beach driving alone sets it apart from most other Washington coast destinations. Add razor clamming in season and the North Jetty in winter and it holds up across multiple visits. The town is small and the commercial strip is modest, so arrive with realistic expectations about the dining and nightlife.
How do you get to Ocean Shores, Washington?
From Seattle, take I-5 south to Olympia, then US-12 west through Aberdeen, and WA-109 and WA-115 south onto the peninsula. The drive covers about 134 miles and takes roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes without traffic. There is no ferry access and limited public transit. A car is the practical way to get here.
When is the best time to visit Ocean Shores?
Summer (July through mid-September) is warmest and best for beach activities, with temperatures typically in the mid 60s. Winter (November through February) is storm watching season, with strong Pacific swells coming into the North Jetty and significantly fewer crowds. Spring is when razor clam seasons typically open; check the WDFW website for current dates before planning a trip around clamming.
How many people live in Ocean Shores, Washington?
Ocean Shores has a year round population of approximately 5,600 residents. The city receives an estimated 3 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited destinations on the Washington coast relative to its permanent population.
Can you drive on the beach at Ocean Shores?
Yes. Ocean Shores is one of the few beaches in Washington where vehicle access is permitted on the sand. Several designated access points along the peninsula let you drive to the waterline. Check tide tables before parking on the beach and stay on hard packed sand near the water to avoid getting stuck. The beach is open to vehicles year round, weather permitting.
Photo credits: Beach by Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 3.0 | Damon Point by Steven Pavlov / CC BY-SA 4.0 | Fisherman in Stormy Weather by Bernd Thaller / CC BY 2.0 | Clam digging by Emily Diehl / CC BY-SA 3.0 | Ocean Canal by Kira Picabo / CC BY 3.0 | Public beach by Joe Mabel / CC BY 4.0 | Fishing on the beach by Joe Mabel / CC BY 4.0