Overview
Montesano is Grays Harbor's county seat on the Olympic Peninsula.
1 sights · 1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Montesano
Grays Harbor County Courthouse
1911.
Festival of Lights
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 35°F. Wettest: Nov and Jan. (climate data from nearby Kent)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OLM Olympia Regional Airport, Olympia — 33 mi away. Directions
- TIW Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma — 52 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 68 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Grays Harbor County Courthouse
- Afternoon Festival of Lights
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
In 1860 the county seat of what was then called Chehalis County was moved to "the place of J.L. Scammons". Mrs. Lorinda Scammon was very religious and wished to have the place named Mount Zion. Another early settler, Samuel James, suggested "Montesano" as having a more pleasant sound and meaning about the same. The suggestion was approved and soon after a post office was secured with the name Montesano.
See
Do
Do Festival of Lights
Nearby
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South Bend
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Westport
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Ocean Shores
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Ocean City
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My experience
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