Between Hoquiam and Raymond, US-101 cuts inland from the coast, while an alternative route, Hwy-105, loops to the west past miles of cranberry bogs (and occasional wild elk) through the salmon-fishing town of Westport. Once called “The Salmon Capital of the World,” and still a prime place for watching migrating gray whales, Westport is a very busy port—and one of Washington’s few good surfing and surf-kayaking beaches. The whole place really comes to life during the Labor Day seafood festival. For details on Westport or anywhere along Hwy-105, contact the very helpful visitors center (360/268-9422 or 800/345-6223).
One of coastal Washington’s best-loved destinations, the seaside red-cedar Dunes Restaurant south of Westport in Grayland, burned to the ground in 1997—with no insurance, and therefore no chance of rebuilding. Now, the only real place nearby with anywhere near comparable character is the 120-year-old Tokeland Hotel (360/267-7006), off Hwy-105 on the north shore of Willapa Bay, with $65 rooms and a very nice dining room.
