Sometimes all you really need is a trip away with your girls, whether it be your mom, sister or friends, and what better place to escape to than the beach! Positioned just an hour and a half from Olympia, the North and South Beach areas of Grays Harbor County provide ample opportunities to either relax and unwind or pack in the fun alongside the best girls in your life.
North Beach
Where to Stay
When visiting the North Beach, keep in mind that the area is rather large, opening the door for various options for cities to make your home base. The largest is Ocean Shores to the far south of the North Beach peninsula. Dozens 
of both boutique and chain hotels line the city, including the large Quinault Beach Resort and Casino that’s sure to provide a night full of fun with the girls as well as the community of Oyhut Bay Seaside Village where guests can sprawl out in private home rentals.
To the north you will find smaller cities with overnight accommodations including camping and quaint motels. Although not located in a bustling city, the benefit of booking these properties is the close proximity you’ll have to more secluded beach access points. Even further north you’ll find the ever-growing beach-side community of Seabrook Washington. This development in Pacific Beach provides another opportunity to rent entire beach homes for you and your girls, many of which offer multiple bedrooms, hot tubs, bike rentals and more benefits to make your weekend all the better.
At the far end of the North Beach are more smaller cities where additional excellent overnight accommodations can be found. One major bonus of staying this far north on the peninsula is that your girl’s trip now has a very easy option of driving less than 30 minutes into the Olympic National Park, with the first stop being the incredibly scenic Lake Quinault Lodge.
Be sure to utilize our complete lodging guide and click the top tab, Ocean Shores/North Beach, to sort properties by location.
What to Do
When planning a girl’s trip, it’s usually a priority to have at least a few activities planned out to create a memorable trip for everyone. No matter where you choose to stay on the North Beach, the number of things to do is, of course, spend time at the beach! On a sunny day, search for treasures such as seashells and agates, rent 
a moped or beach bike to cruise along the intertwining streets and sandy shores, pack a picnic and build a small beach fire to watch the sunset, or even drive your car directly onto the beach.
On a rainy day, don’t fret, because storm watching is a common activity. Rainy days also usually mean that the season is fall, winter or spring, which bring about many clam tides. Partake in this quintessential PNW activity directly on beaches on the North Beach! Some hotels provide clam cleaning stations, or if you rent a home, utilize the kitchen to whip up clam fritters or delicious chowder to feed the group.
Other options on things to do on the North Beach include: shopping for souvenirs, home décor, clothing, locally sourced products and artwork, and other unique items, spending a few hours at a local fun center where the group can cruise around on go karts, go head-to-head in the arcade and mini golf course, and drench each other in on the bumper boats, try your luck at the casino, rent a boat, stand up paddle board or other watercraft to explore the fresh water canals of Ocean Shores, take a nature walk, attend a local event, and of course, dine out and try out the local cuisine!
Where to Eat
Arguably one of the most important aspects of any girl’s trip is where to eat. Luckily, the North Beach is loaded with 
restaurants of all cuisines. Check out our dining guide and utilize the city sorter for the Ocean Shores/North Beach section!
How to Relax
While dining out and packing each day full of activities for your girls’ getaway is often a must, some would rather take the time away to simply relax. If this is your idea of a perfect girls’ trip, consider booking your overnight accommodations directly on the beach to give easy access to the calming sounds of the waves lapping the shore.
Another consideration to take when booking your stay is choosing a hotel or motel with pool and hot tub access, or even a home with a bubbling on-site hot tub. To reach peak tranquility, book a spa retreat for you and your group at businesses such as Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, Serenity Spa at Ocean Crest Resort, or Spa Elizabeth in Seabrook.
South Beach
Where to Stay
While lodging options are much more condensed in South Beach, there’s certainly no shortage of high-quality
places to relax with your girls. Beachfront accommodations make morning and sunset strolls on the sandy beaches as easy as tying your shoes and walking out the front door, while a stay near the Westport Marina means quick access to shops and restaurants on the bustling waterfront. Other places to stay might include a home rental from sites such as Airbnb or VRBO to provide more space for everyone.
Check out our lodging guide and sort the listings by Westport/South Beach to plan out your trip.
What to Do
On the South Beach, what to do can really depend on the season you plan to visit. During the winter, adventurous groups should pack up their shovels to partake in a clam dig and head to the Westport Viewing Tower to storm watch on a blustery day. The spring brings about the first opportunity of the year to charter fish out of the Marina with local fishermen as well as brighter skies to enjoy strolling the beach. This season also boasts the rare opportunity for whale watching and catching a glimpse of the migratory grey whales.
During the summer and fall months, local events are in full swing and the Marina is abuzz with life as thousands of visitors visit the picturesque waterfront city. Along the Marina are many shops and restaurants to spend the day catching up with your girl friends over a glass of wine or locally brewed beer. Head to the beach with your shopping bounty of beach towels, snacks and drinks and watch a magnificent sunset. This time of the year is warmer and longer creating perfect weather for beach combing and watching the brave cold-water 
surfers from the shores of Westhaven State Park.
Where to Eat
Pinpoint exactly where to eat by utilizing our complete dining guide sorted for the Westport/South Beach area. Expect to see plenty of locally sourced seafood products on the menus in addition to pub food, unique takes Hawaiian food, fresh baked pizza and many other options for everyone.
How to Relax
While planning your ultimate girls’ trip to the South Beach, don’t forget to carve out some time to relax. This can be accomplished by booking accommodations with a sauna, pool, or hot tub to soak the worries away, purchasing a bottle of wine or two from a local shop such as Westport Winery or Westhaven Wines, or simply spending time at one of the numerous parks and state parks in the area.
For further inquiries on how to make the most of your time in Grays Harbor, contact Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. (GGHI) at (360) 532-7888 or email GGHI marketing coordinator, Kelsey Norvell knorvell@graysharbor.org
This original content is produced by Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. and sponsored by Grays Harbor County Tourism.