Overview
Sequim is a small city on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The rain shadow created by the Olympic Mountains makes Sequim is the sunniest place in Western Washington, receiving much less rain than even nearby Port Angeles. This unique climate makes it an exceptional place to grow lavender, surpassed only by Provence in France. You may want to bring a bucket to pick lavender, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Sequim is also famous for the flavorful native Dungeness crab.
The city's name is pronounced SKWIM, as one syllable.
1 sights · 11 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Sequim
Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
The highlight of the refuge is the Dungeness Spit, a narrow strip of land extending 5 mi out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The long beach is a popular spot for beachcombing and wildlife viewing, and the bay is good fo…
New Dungeness Lighthouse
Lighthouse on the end of Dungeness Spit. Access is by a 5 mi beach walk or a paddle across the bay.
Buckhorn Wilderness
This wilderness area abuts the eastern boundary of Olympic National Park. More than 54 mi of trails provide access for backpacking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, hunting, hiking, camping, wildlife watching and fis…
Olympic Game Farm
Features 200 animals including the African lion, American bison, American black bear, bobcat, llama, peacock, sika deer, and zebra. Visitors drive through the game farm to see the animals.
Graysmarsh Farm
U-Pick berry farm open during the Summer
7 Cedars Casino
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Port Angeles)
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.
- FRD Friday Harbor Airport, Friday Harbor — 31 mi away. Directions
- PAE Seattle Paine Field International Airport, Everett — 40 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 57 mi away (major hub). Directions
U.S. Highway 101 (US-101) is the main route into Sequim. Sequim is 17 mi east of Port Angeles and 104 mi north of Olympia.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $50–$53 a night (typical $53), from 3 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $6 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$70, mid-range ~$100, comfortable ~$150.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Olympic Game Farm, Jardin Du Soleil Lavender Farm, Graysmarsh Farm
- Lunch Oak Table Cafe
- Afternoon Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, Buckhorn Wilderness
- Dinner David Family Taqueria
- Evening Hurricane Coffee Co
Day 2
- Morning New Dungeness Lighthouse, Sequim Lavender Festival
- Afternoon Annual Irrigation Festival
- Evening Wind Rose Cellars
Day 3
- Morning 7 Cedars Casino, Purple Haze Organic Lavender Farm
- Afternoon Tour de Lavender
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
U.S. Highway 101 (US-101) is the main route into Sequim. Sequim is 17 mi east of Port Angeles and 104 mi north of Olympia.
From Port Townsend, take WA-20 west for 13 mi, and then US-101 west for 18 mi.
By bus
- From Port Angeles, take Route 30 or 123 from Gateway Transit Center.
- From the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal, Clallam Transit also offers Route 123, The Strait Shot, an express bus which is timed to connect with the ferry from Seattle. It runs twice a day Monday through Saturday, once on Sundays and holidays. Including the ferry ride, the total time from Seattle is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
By bicycle
By air
- The nearest airport with commercial service is Paine Field in Everett. The nearest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
By boat
Get around
Sequim is rather sprawling, and a car is the best way to get around. Although the core town is so small that you could walk the length of town in under an hour, many of the highlights - such as the lavender farms - lie on the outskirts. So if you're without a car, you should at least bring - or rent - a bicycle.
Washington St, running east-west, is the main commercial street. There is a small, somewhat walkable downtown, centered around the intersection of Washington St and Sequim Ave.
By bicycle
By bus
- Route 30 goes west from Sequim Transit Center, along Washington St, continuing south on River Rd, and then on to US-101 and eventually to Port Angeles. Runs every 45 minutes between 6:10AM and 9:36PM on weekdays, and hourly on Saturdays between 8:15AM and 7:55PM.
See
Do
Do Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge
The highlight of the refuge is the Dungeness Spit, a narrow strip of land extending 5 mi out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The long beach is a popular spot for beachcombing and wildlife viewing, and the bay is good for fishing, sea kayaking, windsurfing and powered paragliding.
Do Buckhorn Wilderness
This wilderness area abuts the eastern boundary of Olympic National Park. More than 54 mi of trails provide access for backpacking, horseback riding, mountain climbing, hunting, hiking, camping, wildlife watching and fishing.
Lavender
Sequim calls itself the "Lavender Capital of North America". Sequim enjoys long, warm summers and well-drained glacial soils that allow these ornamental and culinary flowers to thrive. The flowers bloom throughout July and early August, washing the checkerboard of small farms between Sequim and Port Angeles with waves of soft purple. Throughout the summer, most of these farms welcome visitors to tour their operations and buy all the boutique goods that they figured out how to color, scent and flavor with lavender.
Events
Buy
There are many small quaint shops in downtown Sequim.
Eat
Eat Oak Table Cafe
Breakfast ranges from the basic - eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, omelettes - to the fancy - eggs nicole, eggs benedict, Kijafa cherry crepes. Salads, sandwiches, burgers - plus quiche du jour, made with seasonal ingredients - are available for lunch.
Eat David Family Taqueria
Tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas, burritos, nachos, carne asada.
Drink
Drink Wind Rose Cellars
Tasting room of local winery, with food and live music.
Sleep
Many locally owned motels are available in the area as well a few large chains.
Go next
Take the Olympic Loop for a scenic drive back around the peninsula:
- Port Angeles — the largest city in the Olympic Peninsula
- Olympic National Park — wild beaches and some of the lushest temperate rain forests in the contiguous U.S.
Explore the islands and waterways of the Salish Sea:
Nearby
Port Townsend
City / town · 43 listings · 15 mi away
Port Angeles
City / town · 65 listings · 16 mi away
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Park · 20 listings · 22 mi away
Coupeville
City / town · 17 listings · 22 mi away
Greenbank
City / town · 7 listings · 24 mi away
Oak Harbor
City / town · 9 listings · 25 mi away
Freeland
City / town · 4 listings · 27 mi away
Hansville
City / town · 18 listings · 28 mi away
My experience
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