Ocean Shores is a coastal town with beach, bay and lake access
Drawing millions of tourists per year, Ocean Shores is a peninsula community with the Pacific Ocean to its west and Grays Harbor to its east. It's also home to Duck Lake and a canal system, resulting in nearly endless water views and recreation in this coastal area. “There’s miles and miles of beach, lake and canalfront. It’s a very quiet, close community. It's a nice place to be, with low crime,” says Thorn Ward, who works with John L Scott Real Estate and has over 40 years of experience in the area. The area’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Many of Ocean Shores' approximately 7,600 residents are retirees or owners of vacation homes.
Ocean Shores residents take great pride in their homes and yards.
Pacific Beach near Ocean Shores offers quiet respite from busier beaches in the area.
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Ocean Shores Beach, Weatherwax Trail and more outdoor fun
Ocean Shores’ terrain lends itself to a variety of recreation options, many on the waterfront. “We've got 6 miles of ocean beach, razor clam digging and a lot of bird watchers out here. There are freshwater fish and a lake right in the middle of town. There are also a lot of hiking trails nearby,” Ward says. Ocean Shores Beach, the city’s namesake, stretches along the community’s west side. It offers beachcombing, horseback riding, plus driving and parking on the sand. At the Weatherwax Trail, hikers can walk through the forest to overlooks of Duck Lake, a reservoir stocked with trout. Ocean Shores Community Club is in the southeast part of town, with Grays Harbor views. It has indoor recreation like a hot tub, a sauna and a game room. The Quinault Rain Forest Trail, located in the Olympic National Forest, is about 40 miles north of Ocean Shores.
Some beaches stretch for miles in Ocean Shores.
Get your feet wet at Ocean Shores Beach Access near Copalis Beach.
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Contemporary coastal homes and New Traditionals in Ocean Shores
The community is suburban, with winding roads and subdivisions of single-family homes. Yards commonly have pine trees and shrubbery that create privacy between houses. With residential streets on the ocean, the bay, the canal and the lake, many homes overlook a body of water. Most of the area’s architecture is contemporary, since Ocean Shores was widely developed from the 1980s through today. Both bayfront and oceanfront contemporary homes range from $400,000 for three bedrooms to $1.1 million for five or more bedrooms, although homes on the ocean can have a more coastal feel, on stilts and with shingle exteriors. Located more inland, New Traditionals from the 2020s range from $650,000 to $750,000. “Almost all buyers are retired or second homeowners,” Ward says. This results in a slower market, with homes available for 89 days on average, compared to the national average of 48 days.
Two story cabins and cottages are an option for larger families living in Ocean Shores, WA.
Ocean Shores' coastal homes vary in architectural styles.
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Local restaurants and stores on Point Brown Avenue
On the north side of town, Point Brown Avenue is lined with locally owned shops and restaurants. Galway Bay Irish Pub, Restaurant and Gift Shop is a laidback tavern that serves classic dishes, including shepherd’s pie and corned beef. At Ocean Beach Roasters, patrons can order brunch and coffee drinks in a rustic setting. More dining options range from Thai to seafood to Mexican. The artsy community is home to Fusions Gallery, where eclectic pieces have been displayed for over two decades. At the Gallery of Ocean Shores, visitors can find work by local artists and take art classes. The local grocery stores are Ocean Shores IGA and Ocean Market.
Visit Fusions Gallery for a selection of artwork crafted by local artists.
Ocean Shores locals head to the nearby Ocean Shores IGA to do their grocery shopping.
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Attractions, including Pacific Paradise and the Razor Clam and Seafood Festival
Ocean Shores welcomes about three million tourists annually, with an array of entertainment options for all age ranges. Just west of the main retail district, Pacific Paradise is an amusement center with bumper boats, an arcade and two mini golf courses. Next door, Ocean Shores Convention Center hosts the annual Razor Clam and Seafood Festival, which offers razor clams, crab dinners and live music every March.
Attend an event at the Ocean Shores Convention Center a few minutes from Ocean City.
Take a horse riding lesson at Chance A La Mer Beach Access just a few minutes from Copalis.
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Public schools from Ocean Shores Elementary to North Beach Senior High
On Niche, Ocean Shores Elementary School has a C-minus rating. North Beach Junior High School also earns a C-minus, while North Beach Senior High School has a B-minus rating. The high school’s course catalog includes App Lab for app creation and Game Lab, which covers game design and animation.
Pacific Beach Elementary serves students in K-5th grade.
North Beach Middle/High School is the only high school in the North Beach School District.
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A 25-mile drive to Aberdeen and more transportation
Via state Route 8, Ocean Shores is located about 75 miles from Olympia. It's about 25 miles west of Aberdeen via state Route 109. For public transportation, Grays Harbor Transit serves the community. The nearest hospital is the Harbor Regional Health Emergency Department, about 20 miles away. For commercial flights, the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is about 120 miles away.
Ocean City locals have access to the Grays Harbor Transit System.
Copalis Beach has access to the Grays Harbor Transit System.
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Written By
Anna Anderson
Photography Contributed By
Noah Lubin
Video By
Conar McDaniel
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Eric Butler,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Ocean Shores, WA sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Ocean Shores, WA over the last 12 months is $390,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Custom Home with 57' of waterfront! Nestled along the Bell Canal & just a seashell’s throw from the beach, this enchanting 2019-built home blends coastal magic & modern comfort. Soaring ceilings, LVP floors, sparkling counters, ship lap wall & stone clad fireplace set the stage for relaxed seaside living. The open layout flows to a covered deck with BBQ hook up, gardens, hammock & a private
Spacious 2,628 sq ft custom-built home featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with panoramic views of the ocean, harbor, and mountains. Upper level living area offers vaulted ceilings, an open-concept design, and floor-to-ceiling rock chimney w/ gas fp. Chef’s kitchen includes a Viking range and ample counter space. Primary suite has deck access, double sinks, and a tiled walk-in shower. Entry
Stunning Oceanfront Condo – Turn-key! Experience coastal living in this luxurious 3rd floor condo! Enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean, jetty, mountains and stunning sunsets. Fully furnished and completely renovated, this condo features a bright interior with skylights, a modern kitchen with quartz countertops, new cabinets, SS appliances, and a double oven. The primary ensuite bedroom offers
Live the ultimate beach lifestyle on your own oceanfront lot in Ocean Shores, WA! Enjoy stunning views across Grays Harbor channel to Westport, with direct beach access from your property. Beachcomb for agates—especially Chehalis Carnelian agates after a breeze—paddle board on calm days, fish for surf perch, or dig razor clams in season. Minutes from a golf course and the Ocean Shores Community
Price Reduced! Come see the value in this fully remodeled 3-bdrm, 2-bth home. This home has been transformed inside & out w/ premium upgrades designed for everyday comfort. The stunning kitchen features NEW SS appliances, gorgeous granite countertops & high-end KraftMaid cabinets. The main bath room is a true showstopper, featuring double sinks, sleek granite counters, and a custom walk-in
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
