Fishing, Surfcasting, Jetty Fishing, Pier Fishing  

Fishing  Washington State Fishing Regulations  NS SS

Fishing: The Complete Guide to Surfcasting: Tackle, Technique, Species, Locations and More.  By Joe Cermele.  Burford, 2011, 288 pages.  VSCL. 

Fishing From the Beach

Grayland Beach and Twin Harbors Beach Surf Fishing 

Surf Fishing Grayland Images

Fishing from the North Jetty in Ocean Shores     Ilwaco Jetty and Docks   Cape Disappointment Jetty   South Jetty in Westport

Fishing in freshwater rivers, streams and lakes in Washington

Fishing Biography: Casting Into the Light, 2019.  A fisherwomen's lifetime of fishing adventures and friendships and surfcasting around Martha's Vineyard MA. TRL

How to Catch Redtail Surf Perch UTube   2 oz round weight, Gulp Sandworm Nereis Camo dried, # 2 hook, 2 hook rig

Light Tackle Surf Perch Fishing.  J. D. Richey.  2014, 52 pages.  VSCL. 

11 Best Beaches for Surf Perch Fishing in Washington and Oregon

Redtail Surf Perch - Wikipedia

Washington River Maps and Fishing Guide.  Excellent resource for river trips and fishing.

Fishing in Washington

Westport: Fishing from the South Jetty in Westport. 

Tokeland   Population 200   Willapa Bay   Images   Small marina, jetty, boat ramps, RV parks.  Shoalwater Casino.  Restaurant.  Historic hotel. 

Westport: Fishing and crabbing from the Docks, Boardwalks, and Pier at Westport. 

Fishing  My surfcasting rod is an 11 foot Fiblink Surf Spinning Fishing Rod, 4 piece.  Reel: KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III Spinning Reel.  Line: Kast King Braided line, 30 lib, 327 yards, Moss Green.  Tackle box with surf fishing and jetty fishing gear.  I have a valid current Washington fishing license and shell fishing license.   

Surf fishing for redtail surf perch is supposed to be very good using clam baits on the high tide immediately after the razor clammers have dug at low tide. 

Casting into the Light: Tales of a Fishing Life.  By Janet Messineo, 2019.  Surf fishing in Marthas Vineyard, MA. 

Whale watching tours out of Westport Marina in the Spring. 

"When the smelt spawn in the Cowlitz River, the gulls go into a feeding frenzy that lasts for weeks. Kelso, Washington is known as the "Smelt Capital of the World"  Smelt Fish  The eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) found in the Northeast Pacific and adjacent rivers, Story of poor smelt run on the Cowlitz on March 1, 2017.  Later winter runs of smelt were essential to fishing subsistence for Native Peoples of the Northwest, and the smelt fish oil was prized and traded widely. 

Washington's Pacific Coast: A Guide to Hiking, Camping, Fishing & Other Adventures  By Greg Johnston.  Seattle, Washington, Mountaineers Books, 2015.  Index, 318 pages.  ISBN: 9781594859397.  VSCL.  

Washington River Maps and Fishing Guide.  By Doug Rose.  Frank Amato Publications, 2013.  87 pages.  ISBN: 978-1571885135.  VSCL.  Excellent resource for river trips and fishing.

Washington's Best Fishing Waters.  Wilderness Adventures Press, 2nd Edition, 2007.  161 pages.  ISBN: 978-1932098525.  VSCL. 

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Food, Cooking, Eating, Seafood, Campsite Cooking, Shellfish, Food Markets, Seafood Markets

Since you do not cook in yurts, and I am not fond of cooking myself, I eat foods and drinks requiring no refrigeration or cooking; and, I dine out often at local restaurants. Also, since I am camping at at coastal Yurt campsite, I tend to eat fish or shellfish.  My vehicle is small, so not bringing cooking stove, pots and pans, ice box, etc., saves space in the vehicle. 

Westport has three seafood markets.  I like Brady's Oysters which is located at the west end of the large bridge that spans the South Bay area of Grays Harbor near Westport.  They have a nice variety of fresh fish, canned fish and shellfish goods, and naughty T shirts (oyster-sex).  Merino's right at the Westport marina docks has a seafood market, and I have eaten their fish and chips take out many times (lingcod is the best) while in Westport.  If they are open when I am in the area (Monday noon to Thursday noon) I will try the Tokeland Hotel's Wandering Goose Restaurant, the Wheelhouse Restaurant in Grayland, and Bennett's Fish Shack in Westport.  Goose Point and Ekone Taylor Oysters are in Bay Center on Willapa Bay.   In Tokeland there is Nelson's Crab Specialty Market. 

All the small towns in the area have food markets with foods to compliment seafood dishes and campground cooking.  I have my favorite restaurants and fish markets near Yurt campsites in Tillamook, Manzanita, Astoria, Long Beach, South Bend, Westport, and Ocean Shores.  My Yurt camping blog reports highlight local eateries and seafood options. 

Check out my comments regarding food and eating while solo Yurt camping. 

The Magic of Tinned Fish: Elevate Your Cooking with Canned Anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel, Crab and Other Amazing Seafood.  By Chris McDade. 
Artisan, 2021, 208 pages.  VSCL.  Recipes, history, resources, online ordering.  VSCL. 

The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook: Salmon, Crab, Oysters and More.  By Naomi Tomsky.  Countryman Press, 2019, 256 pages.  VSCL.  

Campground Cooking Series

Kinds of Tinned Shellfish

Hook, Line and Supper.  By Hank Shaw.  H & H, 2021, 336 pages. 

The Tinned Fish Cookbook.  By Bart van Olphen.  Experiment, 2020, 144 pages. 

Sea and Smoke: Flavors from the Untamed Pacific Northwest.  By Blaine Wetzel and Joe Ray.  Running Press, 2015, 272 pages.

Oysters     Clams     Redtail Surf Perch    

Shell Fish Canned: I enjoy eating tin canned shellfish (Conservas: Mussels, Oysters, Crab, Clams, Sardines, Salmon, Mackerel, etc.) from canners such as Jose Gourmet from Lisbon, Portugal; Ramon Pena from Galicia, Spain; Ekone Oysters from Willapa Bay, Washington; Nelson's Crab, Willapa Bay; Bela sardines from Portugal; albacore tuna from Westport, WA, etc.   

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Foraging 

Foraging Washington: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods.  By Christopher Nyerges.  Falcon, 2017, 272 pages. 

Pacific Northwest Foraging for Beginners.  By Paul Macy.  2021, 210 pages. 

Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants: Identify, Harvest and Use.  By Scott Kloos.  Timber, 2017, 416 pages. 

Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.  By Steve Trudell and Joe Ammirati.  Timber, 2009, 352 pages. 

The Native American Healing Herbs Bible.  By Sacheen Winona.  2021, 237 pages. 

Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast.  By Jim Pojar and Andy MacKinnon.  Partners, 2004, 528 pages. 

Wild Berries of the Northwest.  By J. Duane Sept.  Calypso, 2015, 96 pages. 

Four Days in Grayland by Michael P. Garofalo

Four Days in Grayland Index

Four Days in Grayland, Part I     Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and More: A Traveler's Hypertext Notebooks and Guides 

Four Days in Grayland, Part II    Grayland Beach: A Camper's Hypertext Notebook, Studies, and Comments 

Four Days in Grayland, Part III   Photographs, Blog Posts, Reports, and Notes from 2021-2022  

Four Days in Grayland, Part IV    Reflections of a Beachcomber: Poetry, Short Essays, Reports, Commentary, Quotations

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Hiking and Walking 

Trails, Paths, Roads, Bicycle Paths, Beachcombing

A walker can pretty much go anywhere, fairly safely.  I assume the walker is in good physical condition and is properly equipped.
We can walk on sidewalks, paved streets, gravel roads, dirt and sand paths, on the shoreline, in the surf, over rocky jetties, down wooden pathways, over fields, through forests, on mountain trails ... pretty much anywhere.  Bicyclists and electric bicyclists have many of the same options. 

When beachcombing, be alert and careful around the vehicles driving on Washington beaches.  Most drivers are careful, safe, and reasonable.  Most Grayland beaches are quite wide.  However, always be alert for those few hot doggers driving unsafely.  Can they see you?  Are you safe?   Walk when the beaches are not crowded in the off season and on non-clam digging days. 

Ocean Beaches, 15 miles of wide sandy beaches and sand dunes from North Cove to Westport.   

Johns River Wildlife Area   Images   Near Westport  SS   History  Johns River Road off 105  Walking and biking trails, boat launch, bank fishing. 

Walking - Bibliography

Discovery Bicycling and Walking Trail  9 miles paved from Ilwaco to Long Beach on the Long Beach Peninsula. 

Walking Quotations, Reflections, and Information.  Compiled by Michael P. Garofalo. 

Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge

Westport State Park - Westport Light Trail  Images   Westport Dunes Paved Trail  SS

Long Beach Peninsula Beaches  28 Miles of wide, flat beaches and low sand dunes, swamps, lakes, wetlands, cranberry fields.  

Ocean Shores to Moclips, Grays Harbor, 20 miles of wide, flat beaches and low sand dunes. 

Martha Jordan Birding Trail, Ledbetter Point, Long Beach Peninsula

Bottle Beach State Park  Near Westport  SS   Bird Watching Area, Mudflats, Swamps, wood raised trail in swamps/sloughs. 

Shifting Sands Nature Trails in Twin Harbors State Park near Westport   

Willapa Hills State Park Trail  Near South Bend-Raymond, and 56 miles to Chelais.  Former railroad route 

Where to Walk the Beaches in Grays Harbor

Washington Trails Association

Walking and Hiking Quotations, Poetry, Sayings, Bibliography, Information

Ocean Beaches, miles and miles of wide sandy beaches and sand dunes for walking and beachcombing.    

Griffiths-Priday State Park, Images, Hike along the Copalis River to the sea  NS  One Park Ranger's favorite.  

Oyhut Wildlife Recreation Area, Ocean Shores  NS  Hiking Trails  Images

Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge   Many areas in Willapa Bay with parking, restrooms, and hiking trails.  

You can walk the back roads around Grayland, amid the cranberry bogs, and there is little auto traffic. 

PDX Hiking 365: A Year-Round Guide to Hiking in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington.  By Matt Reeder.  Ruddy Hill, 2018, 322 pages.

Coastal Hikes: A Guide to West Coast Hiking in British Columbia and Washington State.  By Philip Stone.  Wild Isle, 2007, 183 pages. 

Hiking in Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon

The Walking Man.  By Jiro Taniguchi.  2019, 232 pages. 

A Walk on the Beach: Tales of Wisdom from an Unconventional Woman.  By Joan Anderson.  Crown, 2005, 240 pages. 

Urban Trails in Vancouver, Washington: Longview, Battle Ground, Camas, Yacolt.  By Craig Romano.  Seattler, Mountaineers Books, 2020, index, 221 pages.  VSCL.  Book. 

NW Coast: Trail Map and Guide.  Covers the North Coast of Oregon and the South Coast of Washington.  Salem, www.adventuremapgs.net., 2013.  A waterproof map.  Details for hiking and biking. 

Marine Weather Pocket Guide: A Field Reference.  By Jeff Renner.  Seattle, Mountaineers Books, 2017.  A waterproof folding info sheet. 

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History

Native American tribes have settled in and used the Grays Harbor region for 2,000 years.  They were expert fishermen, hunters and gatherers.  They made good canoes, were expert sea fishermen, and could travel considerable distances by canoe.  They built more weather secure wood homes inland for winter, and temporary shelter camps near shorelines, rivers, and lakes for better seasonal hunting and gathering.  They knew when the bird migrations were best for huntinga, or the peak razor clam or crab gathering times, or the best kelp beds, or seasonal salmon and smelt runs that would provide more needed food for drying and and oils for cooking.  The abundant local natural resources for food, and the ingenuity and customs of these hardy people provided a relatively stable life for countless generations. 

Native American coastal tribes in the Olympic Peninsula, Chelais River Valley, Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay areas included: Chelais, Chinook, Clatsop, Copalis, Cowlitz, Hoh, Makah, Klallam, Muckleshoot, Niqqually, Quinault, Queets, Quileute, Shoalwater Bay, and Willapa.  Here is some of my research about the indigeneous native peoples of southwestern Washington State.   

On May 7, 1792, a Yankee commercial sailing ship from Boston arrived in Grays Harbor.  The Captain of this merchant vessel was Robert Gray.  He and Captain George Vancouver were exploring and documenting this area at the same time in separate sailing ships.  Later that year, Captain Gray, in his ship Columbia, crossed the bar and entered the Columbia River at Astoria.  The Spanish, Russians, French, British and Americans were all fur trapping in these areas from Vancouver Island to the Columbia River. 

By 1805, President Jefferson had the Lewis and Clark Expedition survey and document American interests from St. Louis, Missouri, to the Northwest Pacific coast.  Fort Vancouver in Clark County, Washington, across the Columbia River from current Portland, was founded in 1825 by The Hudson Bay Company.  Fort Vancouver was a major agricultural and livestock center.  The Treaty of 1818 and the Oregon Treaty of 1846 between England and USA were significant.  All the Olympic Peninsula covered in this webpage became a Territory of the USA in 1848, and Washington became a State of the USA in 1889.  

Settlement by Europeans began in the 1850-1870's in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay coastal areas.  The Europeans developed many fishing, lumber, farm, commercial, retail, shipping, tourism, professional and other businesses.  Tourism in Ocean Shores, Aberdeen, Westport, Long Beach and Ilwaco has been important since 1950.  However, Northwest coastal winters are wet, cold, windy, and only for tougher tourist souls.  It is very hard to make a living in these small coastal towns of the Olympic Peninsula, so incomes, opportunities, and populations are still low in the area. 

Documentation, maps, research, books, libraries, Net ...   The Native American Cultures of the northwest coast were fishermen, hunters, and gatherers.  They had no iron tools.  They were preliterate cultures of storytellers, singers, dancers, and chanters.  The Europeans coming after 1790 were sailors, traders, merchants, farmers, explorers, as well as storytellers, singers and dancers; and, a few were writers, map makers (William Clark), accountants, administrators (John McLoughlin), scientists (David Douglas), reporters, and book users.  The University of Washington was founded in 1861.  What I can know about the past rests largely on my reading research, travels to museums and locales, and my curiosity.  This webpage primarily covers Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.    

The Last Wilderness: A History of the Olympic Peninsula 

The Pacific Northwest: An Interpretive History  By Carlos Arnaldo Schwantes, 1996. 

Coast Country: A History of Southwest Washington.  By Lucile Saunders McDonald, 1966. 

Contested Boundaries: A New Pacific Northwest History.  By David J. Jepsen and David J. Norberg.  Wiley-Blackwell, 2017, 416 pages.  FVRL

Native Peoples of Southwest Washington.  By Michael P. Garofalo

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Kite Flying 

The wide, flat, sandy beaches of Southwestern Washington are excellent locations for flying kites.  From Copalis to Ocean Shores, from Westport to Grayland, from Ocean Beach to Long Beach ... miles and miles of wide flat beaches for flying kites.  A very popular Spring and Summer sport along coastal Washington. 

There are retail stores and gift shops that sell kites in Ocean Shores, in Westport, and in Long Beach.  I thought Ocean Shores Kites had a wide inventory of kites.  There is Wind World in Long Beach.  I have purchased kites from The Kite Company in Newport, Oregon; and from Into the Wind in Boulder, Colorado. 

Long Beach is famous for its World Kite Museum.  They host many events.  They host the Washington State International Kite Festival every third week in August.  They have many exhibits and video tours.  Online collections of photographs.  We attended the Kite Festival in 2018. 

I own a variety of kites.  I fly single string kites.  I fly two string stunt kites.  Yes, you can learn to launch a site by yourself.  The beaches at Twin Harbors or Grayland or Cape Disappointment are very wide and there is plenty of room for safe kite flying.  Since you can drive on many wide sandy beaches in Southwestern Washington, you can easily set up a beach day camp for kite flying and other activities. 

Stunt Kites: A Complete Flight Manual of Maneuverable Kites.  By David Gomberg.  Cascade Kites, 1994, 89 pages.  VSCL.

Kites for Everyone: How to Make and Fly Them.  By Margaret Greger.  Dover, 128 pages, 2006.  VSCL.

The Magnificent Book of Kites.  By Maxwell Eden.  Black Dog, 466 pages, 1998.  VSCL. 

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Libraries

Many public libraries in the Southwestern Washington area are part of the Timberland Regional Public Library System (TRL) or the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (FVRL).  Besides nice, clean, warm, and comfortable facilities these public libraries offer books, media, chairs, tables, Net access, magazines, etc.  Often, the local public library has information on local history, recreation, travel, and natural history.  Clean restrooms are available. 

I live in Vancouver, Washington.  I use the Cascade Branch and Salmon Creek Branch of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (FVRL).  I use their online catalog.  I reserve and pick up books and browse the shelves at these two Branches in the Vancouver area.  I am very satisfied with the quality of public library services in Clark County, and many and growing number of Branches in the FVRL.   

The Timberland Regional Public Library System (TRL) has Branches in Naselle, Ilwaco, Ocean Beach, South Bend, Raymond, Shoalwater, Westport, Aberdeen, Hoaquaim, Ocean Shores, etc.  I use their online catalog to reserve books.  When traveling in these coastal areas, I use these nice facilities.  I browse the shelves at these Branches.  On cold and raining days, a warm library, good lights and a chair all make for a few hours of enlightened rest reading. 

I worked for the County of Los Angeles Public Library System from 1974-1998. I currently have library cards at both the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (FVRL) and the Timberland Regional Public Library System (TRL).  Any book or video from these libraries are included in my many bibliographies and reading lists. 

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Mushroom Foraging

Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.  By Steve Trudell and Joe Ammirati, 2009. 

Foraging Mushrooms in Washington: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Mushrooms.  By Jim Meuninck.  Falcon, 2019, 184 pages. 

Foraging Washington: Finding, Identifying, and Preparing Edible Wild Foods.  By Christopher Nyerges.  Falcon, 2017, 272 pages. 

I have watched many people hunting for mushrooms at both Twin Harbors and Grayland Beach State Parks.  There were even signs at Cape Disappointment about not picking mushrooms.  Obviously, knowledge and skill at a higher level are required when gathering and cooking mushrooms. 

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Music

Music Playing  I own a wide variety of albums in MP3 format that I loaded on a memory chip into my cellphone.  I bring earphones and a small USB Bluetooth speaker.  You could bring CDs, audiotapes, or DVDs and their portable players for additional musical selections. 

Musical Instrument Playing: My harmonicas [C, D, Am].    Bring your guitar, flute, harmonica ...  Find a place, alone, in the gray sand and surf, and indulge your musical pleasures. 

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Native Peoples of Southwest Washington.  By Michael P. Garofalo.

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Oysters in Willapa Bay

Oyster History on Willapa Bay, Schooner Trade, Boom Years, Fishery to Farm.  The Sou'wester Fall, 2005.  By the Pacific County Historical Society, South Bend. 

Willapa Bay and the Oysters.  By Nancy Lloyd.  Oysterville Hand Print, 1999, 61 pages. 

Oysters: A Celebration in the Raw.  By Jeremy Sewall and Marion Lear Swaybill.  Abbeyville Press, 2016, 216 pages. 

The Essential Oyster: A Salty Appreciation of Taste and Temptation.  By Rowan Jacobsen.  Booomsbury, 2016, 304 pages. 

Many cafes and restaurants in the coastal areas serve oyster dishes. 

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Photography

My photography notes, tips, research are found at Photography. 

Everyday I use a Canon Power Shot SX740 HS.  It is a small full featured and powerful compact "point and shoot" mid-level digital camera. 

I own a Samsung Galaxy A20 cellphone with an excellent camera, and am now using T-Mobile for Internet access. 

I have all the gear for a Canon Single Lens Reflex digital SLR EOS Rebel T7/2000D camera. 

Eventually, by the end of 2022, I hope the majority of the photographs in Four Days in Grayland will have been taken by either Michael P. Garofalo or Blanche Karen Garofalo. 

Photography Arts, Graphic Arts, and Concrete Poetry

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Southwest Coastal Washington and Northwest Coastal Oregon
Seasons and Months
 

Weather, Events, Activities, Celebrations, Cycles, Traditions, Gatherings, Foods, Plants

Highlights, Sports, Seasonal Cycles, Fishing Seasons, Indian Annual Lifestyle Patterns

February
 

March
 

Spring Season  
 

May and June have mild, an average of 56F high, and fairly clear weather.
Bird Migrations  Clam Digging  Beachcombing  Fishing  Kite Flying  Walking  Bicycling 
Festivals/Contests 
Quotations and Poetry
Nature Studies  
Reading   

April
 

May
 

June
 

Summer Season  
 

July
 

August
 

September 
 

Autumn Fall Season 
 

October
 

November

Weather: 13 inches of rain total from 18 days. 
Quotations and Poetry for November 
Yurt Camping  
Storm Watching
Fewer tourists at the coast, except for clam digging approved days.  No tent campers
Start of lower "off season" Yurt rates (Nov-Mar) - Sometimes
Reading
Native Peoples: Netting coho salmon, elk-hunting, waterfowl
Watch out for overflowing rivers and creeks, water on roads, washouts, temporarily closed roads, reported flooding problems. 
Native Peoples: Fishing, hunting, gathering, foraging, preparing resources for food and clothing, storing foods. 

December
 

By the Shore: Explore the Pacific Northwest Like a Local by Nancy Blakey, 2018.  Roughly arranged by the four seasons. 

Every Month of the Year:  Beachcombing, Fishing, Camping, Reading, Walking, Observing, Learning, Exploring, Your Hobbies

Where to Storm Watch on the Grays Harbor Coast and Tips for Storm Watching by Douglas Scott. 

Twin Harbors Beaches are those sandy, wide, ocean facing beaches from Westport to Tokeland.  Westport is on the south shore entrance to Grays Harbor and Tokeland is on the north shore entrance to Willapa Bay.  Hence, the area is called "Twin Harbors."  Midway Road Beach, Grayland Beach State Park, Twin Harbors State Park, and Westhaven State Park are all parts of the Twin Harbors Beaches Area.  Clam season announcements refer to Twin Harbors regulations. 

Swimming, Boogie Boarding, Wading, and Surfing

Cold ocean water all year.  The average annual water temperature on the coast in Westport is 52°F.  Summer high of 57°F in the surf.

The seasonal air temperatures are often too cold for wading, splashing, and playing in the crashing cold waves.   

Only hardy and determined people can stay in this environment for long.  Nearly all of the people doing these surf sports are wearing wetsuits. 

No lifeguards.  Unpredictable surf conditions.  Rogue waves.  Warnings at every beach road entrance that it is dangerous to get in the surf.

I've seen surfers at the south jetty at Westhaven State Park in Westport.  I have seen some waders in the shallow surf and some boogie boarders in the summer from Long Beach to Ocean Shores.

The beaches are flat, sandy, and appear to give good footing.  Surf pounds straight to sandy shores. 

Sometimes, I will walk the sea shore in shallow water when exploring tide changes.  I have Bogs muck boots for long walks and stays in the shallow surf.  I also have used full waders when clam digging and surf fishing. 

I have never waded, swam, body surfed, boogie boarded, or surfed in Washington or Oregon.  The last time I body surfed was in 1997 at Bolsa Chica Beach and Huntington Beach, California. 

Weather, Climate, Air, Clouds, Fog, Wind, Rain, Frost

Annual Climate or Weather Patterns in Westport or Ocean Shores in Grays Habor

 

Month	High	Low	Rainfall Inches	Rain Days
January	47	38	12	18
February	50	38	8	15
March	53	40	8	17
April	56	42	6	14
May	60	46	3	10
June	64	50	2	7
July	67	53	1	3
August	68	54	2	3
September	67	51	4	7
October	60	46	7	13
November	52	41	13	18
December	47	37	12	18

Westport

Westport    Population: 2,100   SS  Google Map     Images

Westport is a busy small fishing port.  The marina features a long wide boardwalk, many gift and food shops on Westhaven Drive, and many beautiful boats moving in and out of the docks.  There are many jetties and rock groins that were built to protect the Westport Harbor area.  Around the marina are many cabins, motels, and RV parks.  Warehouses and fish processing plants set a backdrop for the marina. There is fishing from the south jetty, harbor jetty, boardwalks, docks, and a quite long pier.  In this area is a dramatic four story observation tower, lighthouse  and a maritime museum.

The marina features many highly regarded charter fishing boats and services.  Westport Charter Fishing Services  Images of charter fishing out of Westport. 
I've read that some boats charter out for whale watching and bird watching.  Back in the 1890's, Westport Harbor welcomed sea vessels hunting whales.  Westport Marina is the largest on the Pacific Coast of Washington. 

"Westport is the "sports fishing capital of the world" and can be quite busy during the summer salmon, halibut, and albacore tuna season.  Salmon fishing is also done in the boat basin as is crabbing for Rock and Dungeoness Crabs.  Surf fishing for Sea Perch occurs along the southern beaches and jetty fishing for Sea Bass, Greenling, Perch, and Ling Cod is common.  Whale watching trips both inside the harbor and on the ocean are popular from early March through May."  - Bob Morse

South of the Westport marina is Montesano Main Street with services, supplies, supermarket, banks, stores, cafes, coffee, churches, schools, library, medical, motels, etc., all for a working class city of 2,100 people.     

There is surfing and boogie boarding at the south jetty.   Westhaven State Park.  Picnic areas, restrooms, beachcombing, surf fishing, beach trails, surfing. 

The majority of the in-land homes and apartments are older, smaller, showing the effects of the sea climate, and humbler.  Small is beautiful, and affordable for family median incomes of $41,000.  A few large beautiful homes and big condominiums in prime high dune locations overlooking the sea near the Lighthouse area.    

I tent or yurt camp at Grayland Beach State Park, and sometimes at the larger Twin Harbors Beach State Park.  Both are close to Westport.  

Westport is 25 miles southwest from Aberdeen.  Westport is 33 miles north of Raymond.  Westport is 6 miles north of the Grayland Beach Community. 

You are allowed to drive safely, weather and tides permitting, on the "driveable beach" from the Westport Lighthouse to Grayland's Cranberry Beach Road.  

On a clear day you can see across the bar of Grays Harbor (5 miles) to the many large condominiums, large expensive homes, big hotels and extensive development on Ocean Shores that were built after 1990.  Also, from the Westport tower you can see off into the north the the Quinault River mountain ranges.