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Between Seattle and the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound is an inlet and estuary that offers solid opportunities for urban adventure and quiet repose. The eastern part of the sound is predominantly urban and dominated by the Seattle metro area, while the communities to the west offer a slower pace of life, with farms, state parks, and wineries. Vashon Island, Bainbridge Island, and Whidbey Island are all popular weekend getaways, with easy access to nature and camping.
Sandwiched between the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of San Juan de Fuca off the coast of northwest Washington, the San Juan Islands are known for their coastal forest scenery and outdoor adventure. The islands attract plenty of vacationers for camping, sea kayaking, and whale-watching. If you're short on time and don't want to take a ferry, stay on the mainland at the sprawling Larrabee State Park or the more compact Birch Bay State Park.
The southern Washington coast is characterized by wooded state parks and compact fishing communities. Popular spots include Leadbetter Point State Park, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, and the town of Long Beach—though for truly epic ocean views, head to Cape Disappointment State Park, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.