Leave Redmond around 7:00 AM for Edmonds, then take the Edmonds–Kingston ferry toward the Olympic Peninsula. Allow roughly 4–5 hours to reach Port Angeles, including traffic, ferry boarding, and the drive west on WA-104 and US-101. Check the WSDOT Ferries schedule before leaving; vehicle space is generally first-come, first-served, so arriving 30–45 minutes early is sensible on a Saturday. After landing in Kingston, continue through Sequim and follow US-101 into Port Angeles. The waterfront has several public parking areas, making it easy to leave the car while exploring on foot.
Stretch your legs on the Port Angeles Waterfront Trail, an easy harbor walk with views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and, on a clear day, toward the Olympic Mountains. Plan about an hour, then visit the Feiro Marine Life Center, a small, approachable aquarium on the waterfront that usually takes about an hour; verify its current Saturday hours and admission before going. For lunch, walk or drive a few blocks downtown to Next Door Gastropub for burgers, salads, sandwiches, and local beer. Budget approximately $15–30 per person, and expect a busier room around noon.
From downtown, drive south on Race Street and follow Hurricane Ridge Road into Olympic National Park. Allow about 45 minutes each way, plus roughly an hour at Hurricane Ridge for the viewpoints and a short summit-area walk; road access, parking, visitor facilities, and trail conditions can change, so check the park’s alerts before setting out. There is no dependable food service at the ridge, so carry water and a snack. On the way back, continue west on US-101 to Lake Crescent Lodge for an early-evening lakeside pause—walk along the shore, take photographs, or simply enjoy the view from the lodge area. From there, allow about 30 minutes back to Port Angeles or roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to lodging near Forks; fill up with fuel and pick up dinner before leaving town, since services become sparse farther west.
Leave Port Angeles around 5:00 AM and follow US-101 west toward the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center; the drive is about 1½ hours, with the final stretch becoming especially quiet and forested. Arriving early is the best way to avoid the later parking crunch and enjoy the trails before the day warms up. Allow three to four hours for the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail, both easy, atmospheric walks beneath enormous trees and hanging moss. The visitor center is generally open seasonally during the day, but trail access begins earlier; bring breakfast, water, and lunch because services are very limited inside the rainforest. A national park entrance fee or pass is required, and cell service is unreliable.
Drive north on US-101 for roughly 45 minutes to Ruby Beach, allowing about an hour to explore the driftwood-strewn shore and photograph the sea stacks. Wear shoes that can handle wet sand, and stay well back from incoming waves—logs and sneaker waves are a real hazard here. Continue about 25 minutes to Forks Timber Museum, a small, practical museum focused on logging, homesteading, and the working history of the peninsula. Check its seasonal hours before leaving; it is commonly open limited daytime hours and may close earlier than expected. Afterward, have lunch at Pacific Pizza in central Forks, an easy casual stop for pizza and other filling fare at roughly $15–25 per person.
From Forks, drive west on WA-110 for about 20 minutes to Rialto Beach in the La Push area. Give yourself around 1½ hours for the beach and, if the tide is safely low, a walk toward Hole-in-the-Wall; check tide tables locally before attempting the longer walk, since the headland can become impassable. Finish by driving south on US-101 to Kalaloch Beach, roughly 40 minutes away, for an hour of ocean views and sunset light. The coast is often breezy even in September, so carry a warm layer. Return to your Forks-area lodging afterward, keeping the fuel tank comfortably above half-full because stations are sparse and the route is dark and rural after sunset.
Leave Forks around 7:00 AM for Sol Duc Falls, allowing about 45 minutes each way on US-101 and Sol Duc Road, plus time for the forest walk. The falls trail is short—roughly 1.6 miles round trip—but wear shoes with traction, as the path can be muddy even in September. The parking area is small and fills faster later in the morning; carry water and snacks, since services in the valley are limited. Check Olympic National Park road conditions before leaving, and remember that a park entrance pass is required.
Continue east on US-101 to Lake Crescent for an easy lakeside pause and photographs. Give yourself about an hour to enjoy the water and mountain views without trying to fit in a long hike. From there, drive roughly 20 minutes toward Madison Falls in the Elwha Valley; the paved, accessible walk to the viewpoint takes only a few minutes, making this a good midday stop. Bring lunch or snacks from Forks, as food options along this stretch are sparse and seasonal facilities may have limited hours.
Return toward the north shore of Lake Crescent for the Spruce Railroad Trail, allowing about 1½ hours for a relaxed out-and-back walk. The former railroad grade is gentle and scenic, with forest, shoreline, and broad mountain views; turn around whenever you have had enough rather than forcing the full trail. Keep an eye on the clock, because the drive to Port Angeles takes about 35–45 minutes and you will want a cushion before the ferry journey.
Stop at Frugals of Port Angeles for a quick burger, fries, or shake—plan on roughly $10–20 per person and about 45 minutes. Aim to leave Port Angeles between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, then follow US-101 east and WA-104 to the Edmonds–Kingston ferry. Check the WSDOT Ferries schedule before departing and arrive early for the vehicle line; sailings are generally first-come, first-served. The crossing and drive through the Seattle-area traffic corridor typically put you back in Redmond around 8:00–10:00 PM, so refuel and keep water in the car before leaving Port Angeles.