Discover More About Sequim, Washington

Because Sequim, Washington lies within the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, rainfall is kept to a minimum. Less than 15 inches of rain falls on the town every year.

The entire region is surrounded by groves of temperate rainforest, with Douglas-fir, western red cedar and black cottonwood trees. There is also a nearby herd of Roosevelt Elk that shares the region with the residents of Sequim.

Lavender at Sequim in Washington State. Reproduced under a Creative Commons license with the kind permission of tsxy on Flickr

If the elk entice you, then don't forget to visit the Olympic Game Farm for even larger herd animals on display. The region has been home to large herd animals for thousands of years, as the bones of a long-dead mastodon on display at the Museum and Arts Center can attest.

There you can see a video showing the care taken to excavate the mastodon bones from the nearby soil.

The center also offers cultural exhibits on the life and artifacts of the early residents of the area.

The area is also home to the Sequim Bay State Park and the John Wayne Marina, donated by the great western film star.

Both areas are popular for bird watching, as is Sequim Bay, a four mile long inlet out of the Juan de Fuca Straits.

Festivals at Sequim

Sequim, Washington, is not known as the "Lavender Capital of North America" for nothing. In fact, so much lavender is commercially grown and cultivated in Sequim, only France can compete.

Lavender at Sequim in Washington State. Reproduced under a Creative Commons license with the kind permission of Burger Baroness on Flickr

Visitors to Sequim can enjoy the cool breezes that come off the Juan de Fuca Strait, and during the right time of year, feel bathed in the sweet aroma of lavender. In July the annual Lavender Festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to the community to enjoy the fresh lavender and good company.

The Lavender Festival has taken place every year since 1996.

It features tours of all the area's lavender farms and a family-friendly street fair.

The annual Lavender Festival is an event not to be missed, if only for the wonderful aroma which hovers over the entire community all week long.

If you enjoy fairs and festivals with history, consider attending the annual Irrigation Festival, held each May since 1895.

The event celebrates the elaborate irrigation fields that brought irrigation to the dry prairie, which was once on the land where the town now sits.

There is a huge parade through downtown Sequim, Washington and local groups hand make the dozens of floats that drift through the parade route. There is also a Merchant's Street Fair full of carnival games and fresh food vendors. An abundance of craft stations are set up throughout the city. You can also spend the time shopping for fresh vegetables grown locally thanks to the irrigation system.

Look to the Sea

If you like seafood, specifically Dungeness crab, then give thanks to Sequim, Washington, for they are known for their delicious Dungeness crab.

The Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge is located on the north side of the city, right at the mouth of the nearby Dungeness River. Dungeness Spit offers a beautiful five mile hike along the waterway culminating in a trip up the new Dungeness Lighthouse.

You can't see it all in a day for sure. Find a motel for your visit.

Have Your Say!

If you've visited Sequim Washington, and have a story to share, don't be shy! Many of our readers like to create a page about their favorite places and things to do on the Washington Coast.

Use the simple form below to send us a write-up of your favorite memory of Sequim. You can include up to four pictures, too.

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