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Sunny Getaways: The Brightest Northwest Vacation Spots in the Desert, Small Towns, Mountains and on the Coast

Gray skies may rule over Seattle, but the sun is shining at these vacation destinations only a few hours from the city

By Danielle Centoni, Leslie Kelly, Kristen Russell, and Roddy Scheer May 1, 2018

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This article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the May 2018 issue, as part of the “Sunny Getaways” cover story. Click here to subscribe.

It’s no secret—even to Seattle newcomers—that we have more than our share of gray days (226 days of “heavy cloud cover” by one estimate). No doubt that’s why Hawaii and Mexico are popular destinations for locals. 

But you don’t have to go that far afield to catch a few reliable rays. Next time you’re desperate for a sunny weekend or week, load up the car with a few essentials (i.e. sunscreen and shades) and head out to one of these bright spots in the Northwest.

Leavenworth
Yakima
Ancient Lakes Trail
Oregon’s Painted Hills
Sequim and Port Townsend
Oregon’s southernmost coastline

 

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