One of the best things about staying in Grayland is how many incredible destinations are within easy driving distance. From historic hotels and working harbors to towering lighthouses and pristine estuaries, the southwestern Washington coast is packed with places worth exploring. We’ve put together our favorite day trips from Grayland — each one close enough for a leisurely outing with plenty of time to enjoy the destination before heading back to your cozy cottage at the beach.
Whether you’re looking for fresh oysters straight from the bay, a scenic drive through cranberry country, or a walk along a historic fishing pier, these day trips from Grayland WA showcase the best of the Washington coast.
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Tokeland: Historic Hotel, Great Food & Willapa Bay Views
Drive time from Grayland: approximately 20 minutes south.
The tiny community of Tokeland sits on a narrow peninsula reaching into Willapa Bay, and it feels like stepping back in time. The star attraction is the Tokeland Hotel, established in 1885 and one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in Washington state. The building itself is a beautiful weathered landmark with a wrap-around porch overlooking the bay.
Inside the hotel, the Wandering Goose Restaurant serves outstanding meals using locally sourced ingredients — think Willapa Bay oysters, fresh-baked bread, and seasonal dishes that change with what’s available from nearby farms and fishermen. Even if you don’t stay overnight, lunch or an early dinner at the Wandering Goose is reason enough for the drive.
While you’re in Tokeland, walk the shoreline along the bay side of the peninsula. The views across Willapa Bay are stunning, especially in the golden hour before sunset. Birdwatchers will find herons, eagles, and shorebirds working the mudflats. The area has a quiet, unhurried energy that makes it perfect for a slow afternoon of exploring.
Westport: Marina, Museums & Fresh Catch
Drive time from Grayland: approximately 15 minutes north.
Westport is the closest town to Grayland and one of the most rewarding day trips on the coast. This working fishing village has been the commercial and charter fishing hub of Grays Harbor for generations, and the Westport Marina is the heart of it all.
Start your visit at the marina, where you can watch fishing boats unload their catch, browse the seafood markets along Float 8, and pick up fresh Dungeness crab or smoked salmon to bring back to your cottage. The Westport Maritime Museum tells the story of the coast’s fishing and maritime heritage, with exhibits on Coast Guard rescues, lighthouse keeping, and the evolution of the fishing fleet.
For wine lovers, there’s a small winery in town worth visiting. And if you want to extend the trip, book a Westport fishing charter or a whale watching excursion that departs right from the marina. Westport is also the gateway to surfing at Westhaven State Park, where beginners can take lessons in the gentle waves of Half Moon Bay.
Don’t miss a walk out to the south jetty for panoramic views of the harbor entrance and the open Pacific. It’s one of the best spots on the coast for watching sea lions, brown pelicans, and the constant parade of fishing boats heading in and out.
Grays Harbor Lighthouse: The Tallest in Washington
Drive time from Grayland: approximately 20 minutes north.
Standing 107 feet tall, the Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Washington state and one of the most photographed landmarks on the coast. Built in 1898, the octagonal tower has been guiding ships safely into the harbor for well over a century.
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Climb the 135 steps to the top for sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the Grays Harbor estuary, and the surrounding dune landscape. On a clear day, the panorama is spectacular. The lighthouse grounds include a small museum and gift shop run by the Westport South Beach Historical Society, with exhibits on the lighthouse’s history and the lives of the keepers who maintained its light.
The lighthouse is located at Westport Light State Park, which has beautiful walking trails through the dunes and along the beach. It’s an easy place to spend a couple of hours combining a lighthouse tour with a beach walk.
Brady’s Oysters & Willapa Bay
Drive time from Grayland: approximately 25 minutes south.
Brady’s Oysters has been farming oysters in Willapa Bay for four generations, and a visit to their shop is a quintessential Washington coast experience. Located right on the bay, Brady’s sells fresh shucked oysters, oysters in the shell, smoked salmon, and other local seafood. You can buy a jar of freshly shucked oysters and have them fried up in your cottage kitchen that evening — it doesn’t get much fresher than that.
Brady’s uses a suspended culture method for growing their oysters, which produces clean, consistently shaped shells and plump, briny meat. The staff is happy to explain the oyster farming process if you’re curious, and you can often see the oyster beds from the shop.
While you’re in the area, take the scenic drive along Willapa Bay. The bay is one of the cleanest and most productive estuaries on the Pacific coast, and the drive south toward Nahcotta and Long Beach passes through tidal marshes, cranberry bogs, and quiet fishing communities that feel worlds away from the bustle of city life.
Twin Harbors State Park
Drive time from Grayland: approximately 10 minutes north.
Twin Harbors State Park is one of the closest day trip options and one of the most underrated parks on the Washington coast. Nestled between Grayland and Westport, the park offers miles of sandy beach, well-maintained hiking trails through coastal forest and dune ecosystems, and excellent beachcombing territory.
The Shifting Sands Nature Trail is a short, interpretive loop that winds through the dunes and shore pines, with signs explaining the coastal ecology. It’s a great walk for families with kids who want to learn about the plants and animals that thrive in this dynamic landscape. The beach at Twin Harbors is also a popular spot for razor clam digging during open seasons.
Ocean Shores: Shops, Restaurants & the North Jetty
Drive time from Grayland: approximately 35 minutes north.
Ocean Shores sits on a sandy peninsula on the north side of Grays Harbor and offers a different coastal vibe than the quieter communities to the south. The town has a range of shops, restaurants, and attractions including go-karts, mini golf, and horseback riding on the beach — making it a fun option for families with kids looking for a change of pace.
The North Jetty at Ocean Shores is worth the drive on its own. Walk the long rock jetty out to where the harbor meets the open ocean and watch the waves crash against the boulders. It’s a spectacular spot for photography, especially during incoming storms. The Damon Point area at the south end of town is excellent for birdwatching and beachcombing, with a natural area that attracts snowy plovers and migrating shorebirds.
Cranberry Country: Bogs, Farms & Fall Harvest
Drive time from Grayland: you’re already here — Grayland is the heart of Washington’s cranberry country.
Grayland and the surrounding area are home to some of the largest cranberry farming operations in Washington state. Driving the back roads between Grayland and Tokeland, you’ll pass dozens of cranberry bogs — rectangular wetlands where the berries grow on low-lying vines. In fall, the bogs flood for harvest and turn a brilliant crimson that’s absolutely stunning against the gray coastal sky.
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Even outside of harvest season, the cranberry bogs are interesting to see. The geometric patterns of the flooded fields, the irrigation infrastructure, and the surrounding wetlands create a landscape unlike anything else on the coast. Local farm stands sell cranberry products including dried cranberries, cranberry sauce, and cranberry wine.
Scenic Drives: Getting There Is Half the Fun
One of the underappreciated pleasures of day-tripping from Grayland is the driving itself. State Route 105 winds along the coast between Westport and Tokeland, offering ocean views, forest stretches, and glimpses of rural coastal life. The roads are quiet, the scenery changes constantly, and there’s always a reason to pull over — a trailhead, a viewpoint, or a hand-painted sign advertising fresh eggs or smoked fish.
If you’re driving down from Seattle, our Seattle to Grayland drive guide covers the best route and stops along the way. And for those planning a longer stay, our Grayland weekend itinerary helps you fit the best day trips into a packed but relaxing getaway.
Planning Your Day Trips
The beauty of using Grayland as your home base is that everything is close. You can easily combine two or three of these destinations into a single day without feeling rushed. A morning at Brady’s Oysters followed by an afternoon at Tokeland Hotel is a perfect pairing. Or start with the Grays Harbor Lighthouse, drive down to Westport Marina for lunch and seafood shopping, and still be back at the beach by mid-afternoon.
Here are a few of our favorite combinations:
The Southern Loop: Brady’s Oysters → Tokeland Hotel for lunch → drive the Willapa Bay shoreline → back to Grayland through cranberry country.
The Northern Loop: Grays Harbor Lighthouse → Westport Marina → seafood lunch at one of the local restaurants → Twin Harbors State Park for a beach walk.
The Full Day Adventure: Ocean Shores morning → Grays Harbor Lighthouse → Westport Marina → back to Grayland for sunset on the beach.
The Foodie Tour: Brady’s Oysters → crabbing in Westport → pick up fresh catch at the marina → cook a feast in your cottage kitchen.
What to Bring on Your Day Trips
The Washington coast is beautiful but can be unpredictable, so come prepared. Our packing list for the Washington coast covers the essentials, but here are a few day-trip specifics:
Layers and rain gear. Coastal weather can shift from sunshine to drizzle and back in an hour. A waterproof jacket and layers will keep you comfortable at the lighthouse, the jetty, or the beach.
A cooler. If you’re visiting Brady’s Oysters or the Westport seafood markets, you’ll want a cooler in the car to keep your purchases fresh on the drive back.
Binoculars. Whether you’re watching for whales from the Westport Jetty, spotting eagles over Willapa Bay, or scanning the mudflats for shorebirds, binoculars enhance every outing on the coast.
Cash. Some roadside stands and smaller shops are cash-only. A few dollars in your pocket ensures you won’t miss out on fresh cranberries, smoked fish, or a jar of local honey.
Your Home Base for Exploring the Coast
Grayland’s central location between Westport and Willapa Bay makes it the ideal home base for day trips along the southwestern Washington coast. After a full day of exploring lighthouses, sampling oysters, or browsing marina shops, you come home to a quiet beach community where the biggest decision is whether to watch the sunset from your cottage porch or walk down to the sand.
Our cottages and tiny homes at Ocean Spray Beach Resort give you all the comforts of home — full kitchens for cooking your fresh seafood finds, cozy fireplaces for cool evenings, and the sound of the Pacific Ocean lulling you to sleep. It’s the best of both worlds: adventure during the day, relaxation at night.
For more ideas on how to fill your days, check out our guides to outdoor activities in Grayland and the top things to do in Grayland.
Planning a trip to Grayland or Westport? Ocean Spray Beach Resort offers cozy beach cottages and tiny homes just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Check availability and book your stay today.
