Olympic Peninsula & Washington Coast - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 283

the weather turns ugly (and it often does), check out the local history, wildlife and geo-
logy at Ocean Shores Interpretive Center (1013 Catala Ave SE;

10am-4pm Apr-Sep)

.

Sleeping & Eating
Ocean Shores is chock-full of soulless chain hotels and cheaper motels off the beach.

Collins Inn & Seaside Resort INN$$$
( 360-591-1130; www.collinsinn.com ; 318 Marine View Dr SE; r $150-195, cottages $195-250;
) Classy yet cozy, right on the beach and with friendly owners who go out of their way
to ensure all their guests' needs are met: it's hard to do better than this in Seaside. Rooms
in the inn are for adults only, but the family-friendly cottages sleep up to six people.

Nellie's Kitchen in the Elk Head Tap Room PUB$
(No 5, 739 Point Brown Ave NW; mains from $8; 3-7pm Thu, noon-7pm Fri & Sat, noon-4pm Sun)
Small and rustic, with bar seating. Order one of Elk Head's excellent beers on tap, some
hot nuts, and a meal (the menu changes regularly) crafted from locally sourced meats and
more. You'll get to know a few locals and maybe enjoy a football game while you're at
it. Under 21s not allowed.

Information

Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce ( www.oceanshores.org ; Catala Mall, 899 Point Brown
Ave)

Aberdeen & Hoquiam

The tourist blurb likes to talk them up but, in reality, Olympic twins Aberdeen and
Hoquiam comprise one pretty gritty city. Nonetheless, there's a rousing history hidden
behind the boarded-up shops and general air of decay. Much of it can be told through the
life stories of the famous locals. Despite (or perhaps because of ) the apparent decrep-
itude, the cities have churned out enough noted citizens to fill a Hollywood Blvd-style
Walk of Fame. Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was born in Aberdeen, Denver Broncos quarter-
back John Elway spent his childhood in Hoquiam, and aviation pioneer William Boeing
made his first inroad into big business by buying up extensive tracts of timberland
around Grays Harbor.