Craig going for a hike up Ruby Beach, with Catarina riding on his back.Despite its lack of sandy beaches – though there are a few – Washington’s coast is a must visit for any traveler. Walking on the rocky shores, looking at sea stacks, imagining what it must’ve been like for ancient seafarers, it is an amazing place.
We went camping recently at Kalaloch Beach campground in Olympic National Park and for a day trip, we drove to Ruby Beach which was only about 10 miles north.
I loved this pair of sea stacks jutting up out of the water in a near mirror image of each other.As soon as you leave the parking lot and head down the wide trail to the ocean, you can see that Ruby Beach is a sight to behold.
Featuring several large sea stacks, tons of driftwood, a creek of some sort flowing into the ocean, and a stretch of sand, Ruby Beach has it all.
When we went, the tide was just starting to come in, which gave us the ability to walk out to one of the sea stacks and grab some photos of the waves pounding the rocks.
Crashing waves like this one had created a tunnel in the rocks on the shores of Ruby Beach.To get to the sea stacks you have to cross the creek, which wasn’t too difficult on the conveniently placed driftwood, but we were worried about the incoming tide, so we didn’t explore very far north up the beach.
It was pretty foggy when we were there, but I thought that made it better. I felt transported to a different time in history. If I wasn’t taking photos with my iPad or digital camera, it would be easy to imagine yourself wandering on this beach in the 1700s as a member of a European exploration.
There a metric ton of driftwood on Ruby Beach. I can only imagine the violent winter storms that toss these giant logs onto the beach.Or perhaps as a Native American, out on a fishing expedition and returning to shore to take your haul back to the rest of your community.
A giant sandstone rock guards the creek which flows down the hillside into the Pacific Ocean. I also think it looks like one of the birds from Angry Birds, the popular iPhone game.I think the sea stacks are part of what make this part of the coast so interesting to me. Something about these strange rock formations jutting out of the ocean, bearing the brunt of the strongest waves, fascinates me. I first fell in love with them when I went camping near Rialto Beach in 2012, and I’ve wanted to go back to this part of the coast since.
Man-made meets nature-made at Ruby Beach.Kalaloch Beach is really cool, but there are no sea stacks. That alone, makes the short drive to Ruby Beach worth it.
The chance to feel transported back into history is just a bonus I guess.
Craig and Catarina in awe of Ruby Beach. Or tired. Or cold. Hard to say, really.– Craig Craker
If you go Location: Ruby Beach is located just off of Highway 101, about 10 minutes north of Kalaloch Beach campground. It is 50-60 miles north of Hoquiam. When: Anytime of year is fine, though I’m sure it’s a bit dangerous during the winter storm season. What: A rugged beach filled with sea stacks, driftwood, crashing waves and more. Fees: None. Kid-friendly: Absolutely. Though this isn’t Southern California, but there is plenty for the kids to explore.
Traveling the PNW 
This is gorgeous. I love the foggy cold feeling and look. I need to add this place to my list. Thanks for sharing!
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