Under $100: Hood Canal

Along Washington State’s narrow Hood Canal, thickly forested mountains drop dramatically to meet shellfish tidelands, from which you can spot the snow-capped Olympic Mountains. It’s an incredible destination, but one that’s somehow managed to stay under the radar.

Start your day with a filling breakfast at Union Square Deli, where you’ll pay around $10 for a breakfast sandwich or pizza.

Murhut Creek, Olympic National Forest © Curtis Smith | Dreamstime

Make your way to Murhut Falls for a short hike to burn off some of that fuel. You’ll cover only 1.6 miles round-trip, but you’ll be rewarded with a 130-foot waterfall.

Next head to Hama Hama Seafood Company, where you can sample their just-plucked oysters raw or chargrilled just steps away from where they were harvested. What you spend depends on how many you down, but you can probably get your fill for around $10.

© Jaime Pharr | Dreamstime

And then head to Alderbrook Resort, where you can rent kayaks, paddle boats or stand-up paddleboards. They all cost around $25 per hour, and an hour or so is plenty to enjoy the area.

Finish your evening with an elegant meal at the Alderbrook restaurant, a few steps away from the canal. The rest of your $55 will suffice.

© Jaime Pharr | Dreamstime