We're a family who lives on the west coast beaches of Florida and we'll be traveling through Washington and Oregon this summer. Trying to decide on our last 3 days after leaving Portland and making our way back to Seattle/Tacoma to fly home - where should we spend more time; the Oregon coast of the Olympic Peninsula?

I really like both. Without knowing what else you will be seeing on your trip, it would be hard to really suggest one over the other. And of course your interests come into play. Have you been out here before at all? What are you thinking of doing either in ONP or at the OR coast?

If you must choose one over the other, I suggest the Oregon Coast and Mt. Rainier. However, it would help to know: How many nights do you have? What time does your flight leave SeaTac? Where will you be before you leave Portland?

The Olympic Peninsula and Oregon Coast are very different.

The Oregon Coast is 97% public, with road hugging the coast, like route 1 in California. There are lots of cliffs and spectalar views. There are little towns up the coast, wide beaches, tide pools with starfish, rainforest hikes.

The OP is mostly private on the actual coast so much of the drive is through the interior with lots of clearcut and second growth forests. In three days, you'd spend one night at Kalaloch Lodge and go to the Hoh Rain forest, probably one night at Lake Crescent Lodge or something like that, on a lake in the northern area, and go visit Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park, which has spectacular view of the mountains to the south and over the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north.

I'm with Happytrails. I'd advise on the Oregon Coast and Mt. Rainier. I'd suggest a day at Canon Beach, visiting Ecola State Park, then up to Mt. Rainier for a day. (two day in whichever place you preferred- I'd go for two at Mt. Rainier if you've never been in Heaven before.)

Oooh yea, when in summer? Makes a difference as the mountains are very high here and very snowy.