Sea Cliff Gardens is an adults-only Victorian bed and breakfast on a 130-foot bluff above the Strait of Juan de Fuca, with five suites and a hosted three-course breakfast. Hurricane Ridge is about 45 minutes away, so a romantic getaway in Olympic National Park can start with a slow breakfast and still put you on the ridge by midmorning.
Travelers rate the inn the #1 bed and breakfast in Port Angeles, with a 5.0 on TripAdvisor across 589 reviews.
Freighters and cruise ships pass below the bluff all day. Bald eagles hunt along the shoreline, and after dark you can see the lights of Victoria across the water. Every suite is stocked with binoculars for whale-watching and bird spotting. One couple wrote, "Each night we watched the sunset paint the sky."
The mature gardens gave the inn its name. They were originally designed by a master gardener and featured in Garden Design magazine, and they run from the house right to the lip of the bluff. Even so, one guest decided that "breakfasts outshone the flowers!"
Sea Cliff Gardens doesn't host guests under 18, so the house stays quiet from breakfast through the evening. Reviewers call the place a "tranquil oasis" and a "serene getaway." Check-in runs from 3 to 6 p.m., and everything is set up for couples. There's no hosted front desk after 6, so let the inn know ahead of time if you expect to arrive later.
"Bill and Laura have literally thought of everything." That line from a recent guest sums them up. They help plan your days over coffee, down to which trailhead to reach early and where to book dinner in town.
For a milestone trip, book Maria Theresa's Suite. It's 550 square feet with a panoramic view of the strait.
Victoria's Repose works for couples who would rather skip the stairs. You get a king bed and 450 square feet on the ground floor.
Guests who stay mention the chance to "soak in a big jetted tub" after a day on the trails.
Guests give the same advice again and again. "Stay at least 3 days." Three nights leaves two full days out and every evening back at the inn.
Day One
Get in by late afternoon and walk out to the bluff for sunset. Dinner is in Port Angeles or a short drive away in Sequim.
Day Two
Lake Crescent is the classic choice, and the short trail to Marymere Falls fits into a morning with time left for lunch by the lake. In summer, trade it for Hurricane Ridge and a full day of alpine meadows with views across the Olympic range. The Olympic National Park's North Section itinerary covers both.
Day Three
Walk Dungeness Spit toward the lighthouse, or take the ferry to Victoria for the day. The terminal is about 20 minutes from the inn. Bring passports.
November through March is the coziest stretch to visit, and the quietest. Storms roll in off the Pacific, ships light up the strait at night, and a fire in the suite makes a long winter evening easy. Spring follows with the gardens in bloom again and wildflowers along the lower trails.
Sequim's lavender farms peak in July, and daylight lasts past 9 p.m. in early summer. Fall brings the local crab and mushroom festivals and smaller crowds at the park.
Anniversaries come up in reviews more than any other occasion. Recent guests have celebrated their 25th, 33rd, 41st, and 42nd years together on the bluff. When you book, tell Bill and Laura what you're celebrating.
Honeymooners often fly into Seattle, spend a few nights in the city, and then head to the peninsula for a more relaxed second half of a Washington State honeymoon surrounded by the beauty and grandeur of Olympic National Park.
Couples planning a babymoon on the Olympic Peninsula can keep the days easy with long breakfasts and short scenic drives. For a vow renewal, the gardens make a lovely setting for a small ceremony, and the weddings and elopements page shows what's possible.
Pick your dates to see which suites are open. Book three nights directly with the inn and you'll also get a multi-night discount.
The nearest park entrance is about 20 minutes away, and Lake Crescent is about 40.
About 2 hours and 20 minutes, close enough for a couples getaway from Seattle that starts right after work on Friday.
Usually on weekends. The road typically opens Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the weather allows, and every car heading up needs to carry tire chains. There's nowhere to buy food at the top, so bring snacks and water.
Yes, there's a lower room-only rate.
Sea Cliff Gardens isn't able to host pets, so plan on leaving your dog at home for this stay.
