Readers' Choice 2026
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Best Road Trip: Seabrook
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
Why not take the long way to the beach? Seabrook is about 145 miles (that’s just under three hours) from Seattle, with no mountain pass or ferry reservation required. Stop for coffee in Olympia, bounce through Elma, Montesano, and Aberdeen, then get a dose of Grays Harbor history at Hoquiam’s Polson Museum before turning north onto State Route 109. That’s where the Hidden Coast Scenic Byway begins, a 41-mile run toward Taholah with quaint beach towns and forest. Along the way is Copalis Beach, one of Washington’s prime spots for razor clamming. Seabrook arrives before the byway ends, perched on a bluff above the Pacific, a walkable beach town built around 30 parks—and little reason to get back in the car until it’s time to go home.
Runner Up: Whidbey Island
About Readers' Choice 2026
Once a year, we turn the tables and ask our readers about their favorite local spots. The neighborhood café with the best coffee, the restaurant you book for every special occasion, and where you send out-of-town guests for top-tier cocktails. Seattleites have opinions, and they shared them with us. This year, we received more votes than ever before, with some familiar favorites returning and plenty of new names making the list.
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