A week on the Olympic Peninsula

A June 2001 trip to Port Townsend by Laura

We spent a week in a timeshare in Port Townsned. Washington

  • 10 reviews
Take a ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria Canada. We visited Olympic National Park and the state capital in Olympia. River Rafting.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

A car is needed. I like having an SUV.
Best Things Nearby:
River Rafting, Port Angeles Ferries, Olympic Game Farm, Olympic National Park

Best Things About the Resort:
The Olympic Peninsula is beautiful. It was very quiet and relaxing.

Resort Experience:
Kala Point is a private waterfront community, but don't expect to lay at the beach. It is chilly even in July. The neighborhood in mostly made up of private homes, but the time shre units are tucked away among the pine trees. Upon arrival, we got a swipe card to get through the from gate of the community. There is a sandy beach, but we were there over the 4th of July and it was not swimming weather. I wore a sweater most days. Port Townsend Bay is located northwest of Seattle on the Olympic Peninsula. The facilities include an indoor/outdoor pool, clubhouse and tennis courts. We did not use it at all during our stay. Our rustic townhouse-style unit had 2 small bedooms and 2 full baths downstairs. Upstairs was a full kitchen, a large private deck and a living room. Above that was a loft area with a pull out couch and a couple chairs. We did not use that space at all. This unit was sort of run-down especially the loft furnishings. This was not a "full service" resort. There were little to no organized activities and we did not see anyone the entire week. It seemed like we were the only ones there! It was very quiet and relaxing. Near the resort was an old style drive in movie theater. The grocery store and other amenities were up the road a bit closer into the town of Port Townsend. Overall, it seemed like an odd place for a timeshare unit. Most activities were a bit of a drive - like river rafting, Port Angeles, Olympic National Park.

  • Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
  • Activities: Fair
  • Amenities: Fair
  • Unit Satisfaction: Fair
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Very Good
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Kala Point and Resorts West Vacation Club at Kala
20 Village Drive Port Townsend, Washington 98368
(360) 385-2367

Paradise RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Paradise"

We were in Sequim (pronounced - SQUIM) on a Sunday afternoon. Paradise was open for lunch. The place was filled with the elderly after-church crowd. They serve typical diner choices. I had a patty melt and my friend had a french dip served with fries. The price was right and the service was very nice. The place is decorated in 1980's mauve, mirrors and black laquer. I'd go back for a very reasonably priced meal that is not fast food.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Paradise Restaurant
703 N Sequim Avenue Port Townsend, Washington 98382
(360) 683-1977

Lanza's RistoranteBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Lanza's Ristorante supposedly has been voted best pasta for the past 3 years in the Olympic Guide. I had a pasta with mushrooms in a red pepper cream sauce and it had SO MUCH GARLIC - wow did it stink. I did not care for it too much. My friend had the classic spaghetti and meatballs. Most of the pasta dishes included some sort of fish or seafood so that limited my choices. The restaurant was crowded and cozy. We did not have to wait very long for a table though.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Lanza's Ristorante
1020 Lawrence Street Port Townsend, Washington 98368
(360) 379-1900

El Sarape has the typical Mexical combo platters. I had a beef tostada, taco and tamale. The food was good and the service very nice. Their margaritas hit the spot. Warm chips and salsa are served up immediately. It is decorated with a Mexican pueblo feel.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

El Sarape Mexican Restaurant
628 Water Street Port Townsend, Washington 98368
(360) 379-9343

Jordini's Sub Shop & DeliBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "JORDINI'S SUB SHOP & DELI"

We were starved and it was not lunch and was not dinner time. We found this little sub shop on the steep incline of Washington Street. I had a mixed Italian sub and my friend had turkey on wheat. The bread was good and sandwiches were quite good and served hot or cold. It hit the spot and the price was right - like $4 each. It has a little cafe-type atmosphere with a wooden screen door that slams behind each customer and teenagers working behind the counter.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Jordini's Sub Shop & Deli
924 Washington Street Port Townsend, Washington
(360) 385-2037

The Museum is in the original Port Townsend Police Department, Court Room, City Jail and Fire Hall. You get to see the lower level City Jail where an exhibit about the the less desirables is housed - stories of prostitutes, drugs etc.

The old Fire Station is also par of the Museum. The exhibits tell about the people of Jefferson County through its collection of artifacts and photographs. Highlights include: The Customs Centers and the maritime Hhritage of the area including Ferries, Shipwrecks, Shanghaiing, Yacht Racing. Early Explorers, Early Settlers, Native Americans, Chinese Community, and a local history timeline.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Jefferson County Historical Society Museum
540 Water Street Port Townsend, Washington
(360) 385-1003

The visitor center is located in Port Angeles where a map of the park can be obtained. We drove to the Hurricane Ridge area. There we met up with a ranger for a guided hike to learn about the growth cycles of the plants and trees in the park. There are a couple of easy and paved trails in the area. I loved seeing the Olympic marmot, a critter that looks like a beaver without the tail crossed with a raccoon. The park is a good place to take photos of the Olympic mountains and wild flowers
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Olympic National Park
600 East Park Avenue Olympic Peninsula, Washington 98362
(360) 565-3130

Olympic Game FarmBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Olympic Game Farm, Inc."

We did the driving tour. The cost is $9 per person and you also have to buy their bags of bread. You throw it to feed the animals along the drive. The bears have learned to make it more entertaining by catching it in the air or waving their paws. The llamas are docile and will stick ther heads right into the car. They warn you that the buffalo will charge your vehicle and they can do a number on the paint job. The yaks are funny too. There is a prarie dog town, zebras, elk and ostriches. Many of the aminals have been in movies or circuses and retire to the farm. There is a walking tour to see many animals on the endangered species list like timber wolves, Siberian tigers, spotted leopards and African lions.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Olympic Game Farm
1423 Ward Road Port Townsend, Washington 98382
(360) 683-7621

Olympic Raft & KayakBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Elwha River Rafting"

Olympic Raft & Kayak guided our morning river rafting on the Elwha River. A cute and friendly professional guide led us in a raft with six people through the river that included some whitewater and some calm rafting. The Elwha River is a Class II+ whitewater river in the heart of the Olympic Mountains. It was exciting, but not too scary for us first-timers.

The scenery was gorgeous - a Pacific Northwest rainforest. The trip we chose was a few hours on the river within Olympic National Park.

We rented wetsuits and the rain gear and foot warmers. The water was cold and it snuck in the boat so we were glad to have the cozy package of gear.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Laura on May 6, 2002

Olympic Raft & Kayak
123 Lake Aldwell Road Port Townsend, Washington 98363
(360) 452-1443

About the Writer

Laura
Laura
Chicago, Illinois

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