Description - Washington's coast is much more than a beach destination. Native Americans thrived here for thousands of years before Lewis and Clark first sighted the Pacific Ocean. At Fort Canby State Park, you can relive the adventures of Lewis and Clark who completed their quest for the Pacific near this spot almost 200 years ago. Built on a rocky headland, and home to a century-old lighthouse, this interpretive center contains exhaustive journal excerpts, maps and photo-murals of places along the explorers route.
Attractions
- Millions of migratory birds annually visit the estuaries and tide flats that make for rich feeding grounds. Bird watchers flock here from all over the world to spy on a cast of characters with names like sandpipers, plover, yellowlegs and marbled godwit, along with brown pelicans and
the kingly great blue heron.
Recreation - The Coast region offers numerous coastal activities including boating, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, and whale watching. Camping, hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, golfing, and kite flying activities are also available within the region. Climate - Washington's climate varies with each region. The Cascades split the state and alter weather patterns. The terrain east of the mountains receives significantly less rainfall than that west of the mountains, 12 inches is the annual average. Temperatures in this region are lower during the winter months, because it is landlocked. Frequent winds coming down from the mountains also contribute to the low temperatures of eastern Washington. Western Washington is temperate, due to the coastal geography. The water is a stabilizing force for the climate, making extreme temperatures rare. The area receives large amounts of rainfall from Pacific storms and some snow during winter months. The mountains of Washington receive large amounts of water-laden snow from October through May. These peaks remain snow covered throughout the year. Location -
The Coast region described here encompasses the area from the Oregon border north to the Olympic Peninsula. The region can be accessed from Olympia via Hwy. 12 and 101.
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