Things to Do in Seabrook, Ruby Beach, and The Hoh Rainforest
This fall, we finally made a long-time dream happen — a family trip to the Washington Coast. For years, I’ve wanted to visit Ruby Beach, and it turned out to be even more magical than I imagined. Between the misty coastline, mossy rainforests, and charming beach towns, this trip was the perfect adventure for our family and a perfect reset for me.
If you’re planning a family trip to the Washington Coast, I hope this post helps you plan an unforgettable getaway full of discovery, play, and beautiful coastal scenery.
Getting There & Where to Stay on the Washington Coast
We flew into Seattle and made our way to the most charming coastal town — Seabrook, Washington. If you haven’t heard of it, Seabrook is a beautifully designed seaside community perched above the Pacific Ocean. It’s full of family-friendly things to do — pools, playgrounds, lawn games, bikes, and delicious restaurants.
It felt like the perfect home base for exploring the coast, especially with young kids. Our boys loved it, and I loved how walkable and community-centered it was. If I could change one thing, I wish Seabrook were just a little farther north — we had a few long drives to reach some of our planned destinations, and coastal construction slowed us down even more. Still, we loved every minute and would absolutely stay there again.
A Quick Tip for Washington Coast Travelers
One thing I didn’t expect: there are very few restaurants along the coast once you leave the Seabrook. If you’re driving between destinations, I highly recommend prepping lunches and snacks in advance. The scenery is incredible, but food options are limited — especially if you’re traveling with kids!
Our Family Washington Coast Itinerary
Day 1 – Exploring Ruby Beach
My boys were in heaven — climbing on rocks, playing with sticks, and filling buckets of water. It’s the kind of place that invites kids to explore and adults to slow down and take it all in.
We started our adventure at Ruby Beach, the spot that inspired this entire trip. It’s one of the most iconic family-friendly beaches on the Washington Coast, known for its dramatic sea stacks, driftwood, and tidepools.
Day 2 – Lake Quinault & The Quinault Rainforest Loop
Our second day took us inland to Lake Quinault and the Quinault Rainforest Nature Loop. The trees here are truly breathtaking — towering giants covered in moss that make you feel like you’re walking through a fairytale.
After our hike, we grabbed some great pizza at the Lake Quinault Lodge and let the boys play on the beach nearby. For dinner, we ate at The Salmon House, one of the few local options — and it was pretty good!
If you’re looking for peaceful hiking and incredible scenery, this is one of the best places to explore on a family trip to the Washington Coast.
Day 3 – Seabrook, WA: Relax and Explore
After two days of exploring, we decided to slow down and enjoy Seabrook itself. This town is made for families — we played bocce ball, swam in the pool, stopped for ice cream, and ate at one of the town’s delicious restaurants, Koko’s.
The beach at Seabrook is stunning — wide, open, and perfect for little ones to run wild. Our Airbnb even had sand toys waiting for us, which was such a thoughtful touch.
Day 4 – Kalaloch Beach
We made our way north to Kalaloch Beach, known for its driftwood and the famous Tree of Life (though we accidentally parked in the wrong spot and missed it!). The boys still had a blast chasing birds and knocking over my carefully stacked rock towers — a perfect beach day in their eyes.
Day 5 – Hoh Rainforest
This was one of the longest driving days, thanks to construction, but visiting the Hoh Rainforest is a must-do. The drive winds through lush, green landscapes until you reach one of the most magical forests in the country.
We stopped at the little café near the entrance for lunch before walking the Hall of Moses Trail. Oliver was determined to find lions in the trees and was very disappointed when we didn’t spot any, everyone in the parking lot could hear his anger.
We may travel with too many cameras! I loved documenting this trip on my new Leica M6, Oliver is taking photos with one of the same cameras that I started out with!
Day 6 – One Last Morning in Seabrook
We spent our last morning soaking up a bit more Seabrook sunshine before heading back to Seattle. It was the perfect slow ending to our trip
This was our first real trip with Oliver, and we were a little nervous since he’s a bit strong-willed and passionate (to say the least!). But both boys did so well. As we landed back in Salt Lake, I overheard Jackson tell Cole, “That was a really fun trip,” — and I couldn’t agree more.
Tips for Planning a Family Trip to the Washington Coast
If you’re planning your own family vacation to the Washington Coast, here are a few takeaways from our experience:
- Bring your own snacks and lunches. Restaurants are few and far between once you’re on the road. Grocery stores were not common to see either, Seabrook had a really nice market!
- Pack for all weather. The coast can change quickly — we love our Patagonia jackets and the boys’ Zara rain suits.
- Plan for longer drives. Construction and winding coastal roads can make travel days longer than expected.
- Stay flexible. Rain, fog, or shine — the coast is always beautiful.
The Washington Coast was just what we needed. We already can’t wait to go back to explore even more beaches, trails, and towns we didn’t get to visit this time.
📸 Let’s Work Together
If you’re a tourism board, travel brand, or property looking to showcase your destination through authentic, heartfelt imagery — I’d love to collaborate.
I document travel experiences using both digital and film photography, often with my classic Leica, to create nostalgic, light-filled images that capture the feeling of a place. My approach blends storytelling and fine-art photography, giving your audience a sense of warmth, beauty, and belonging.
I also offer UGC (user-generated content) and brand photography that highlight real experiences — perfect for tourism boards, resorts, and travel companies looking to inspire connection through genuine visuals.
Let’s create something beautiful together email me today! jessica@jessicasphoto.com
