The twin cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam are less vacation destinations and more convenient stopovers on the way to other points on the peninsula and coast such as Ocean Shores, Lake Quinault, and Kalaloch. Many of the hotels and motels are on the shabbier side of run-down, but there are a few exceptions.

One acceptable choice is the Guest House Inn and Suites (701 East Heron St., Aberdeen, 360/537-7460, www.guesthouseintl.com), a clean place that has the only motel pool in town. Guests are invited to munch on a simple continental breakfast each morning.

There are also a couple of very nice bed-and-breakfasts in town. Most impressive among them is the gorgeous Hoquiam’s Castle B&B (515 Chenault, 360/533-2005 or 877/542-2785, www.hoquiamscastle.com, $145–195 s or d), which features rooms with four-poster beds, claw-footed tubs, and more dainty linens than you can shake a stick at. Breakfast in the morning is an elaborate affair that should sate even the hungriest hikers before heading out into the woods.

Check out some amazing panoramas of the harbor at the colonial revival-style A Harbor View B&B (113 W. 11th St., 360/533-7996, www.aharborview.com, $149–225 s or d, no kids under 12). Sitting high on a hill, this bed-and-breakfast offers five bedrooms furnished in Victorian period pieces and colorful quilts. All rooms include private baths, TVs, and wireless Internet.