Ocean Shores, Wash., is a haven for beach lovers. Visitors can drive, stroll or ride horseback on the city's six miles of sandy beaches on the Pacific Coast. Active visitors will find plenty of outdoor fun in Ocean Shores, and several local accommodations feature indoor pools for rainy-day exercise. From Seattle, Ocean Shores is a 134-mile drive south down Interstate 5 and then west from Olympia to the coast.
Horseback Riding
Spend the day riding horseback along the beach as the tides come in and go out. Local companies bring their horses to the sands of Ocean Shores and offer rides to visitors at their leisure. Reservations are not required unless a large group outing is planned, and riders of all experience levels are welcome.
Golf and Amusement Parks
Beyond the beach, spend the day playing 18 holes of golf on 6,252-yard Ocean Shores Golf Course, open since 1961, or visit a local amusement park. Family fun centers in Ocean Shores feature go-cart racing, bumper cars and bumper boats, miniature golf, air hockey and video games. On a rainy day, the bowling alley offers traditional bowling, "Glow Rock & Bowl" and bumper bowling for all ages.
Kite Flying
Pack a kite or select a new one at a local shop and take advantage of ideal kite-flying conditions on the beach. On windy days, kites are seen flying above the surf as visitors and residents guide them from the shore. Several kite stores, all located within a block of the ocean and Chance A La Mer State Park, sell different types of kites--including kites for kids--and will give you instructions on how to assemble and set up your kite.
Shellfishing and Fishing
Razor clam season draws anglers to the shores, who park and set up digging areas in anticipation of opening day. Ocean Shores is located in Marine Area 2, as defined by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, where salmon, tuna, halibut and sturgeon are caught during open seasons in addition to shellfish such as crab, clams, shrimp and mussels. Local restaurants prepare dishes using fresh seafood from the Ocean Shores area.
Moped and Bicycle Rentals
The flat roads of Ocean Shores that parallel the beach are ideal for road tours. Local shops have mopeds lined up outside their doors for visitors to rent for an hour or a day. Helmets are provided, and groups are often seen traveling together by moped on the beach, past hotels and through the residential areas of town. For a more challenging ride, bring your own bicycle or rent one to ride on local roads and highways, or try riding on the firmer stretches of sandy beach.
The Beach
Strolling the beach at sunset is the perfect way to end the day at Ocean Shores and watch the waves crash. During the day, the beach is the place for seeking shells, building sandcastles and frolicking in the water. Winter months in Ocean Shores are popular with adventurous beach enthusiasts, who walk through high winds and storms to see huge waves and then explore the sea life left behind.
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