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
Clinton Potter,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Ocean Shores, WA sell after 103 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Ocean Shores, WA over the last 12 months is $365,000, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Ocean Shores lakefront living at its best on Duck Lake! This 3 bed, 2.5 bath home offers ~2,830 sq ft of well-designed space with incredible views of the water. The main living area features an open kitchen and gathering space with fireplace, complemented by separate formal dining and living rooms. The primary suite is a standout, complete with a private sitting area and second fireplace
Discover your slice of coastal paradise in our charming two-bedroom condo nestled in a friendly small beach community—where neighbors wave hello and the vibe is relaxed and welcoming. Just steps from the sandy shore, you’ll wake up to the soothing sound of waves and enjoy blissful sunsets on the regular. This peaceful seaside haven offers that true small-town feel with tight-knit locals, while
Oceanfront condo offering unmatched views & direct beach access! This spacious 1,400+ sq ft unit spans 2 levels & features 3 bedrooms plus a potential 4th (currently used as a sitting area with W/D in closet) & 2 baths. Lower-level bedroom includes its own balcony & private beach access, while the large primary bedroom includes a separate outside entrance. Enjoy a cozy wood-burning fireplace for
Exquisite, custom built and pristinely maintained home with expansive bay and mountain views! Quality and pride in ownership shows in every detail. Main floor features stunning floor to ceiling two-way stone fireplace, gourmet kitchen with newer appliances, granite countertops and a wine rack built into the island. Decks on the front and rear add outdoor living space to an already spacious main
Turnkey coastal cottage at Oyhut Bay Seaside Resort! This charming 1 bedroom bungalow offers an open-concept layout with 9-foot ceilings, large windows, and a cozy propane fireplace that creates a bright and welcoming living space. The kitchen features quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, pendant lighting, and soft-close cabinetry for a clean, timeless look. Enjoy relaxing on the
Panoramic Ocean, Bay & Canal Views – Nightly Rentable Coastal Gem! Experience truly breathtaking views of the ocean, canal, and bay from this one-of-a-kind beach home. Enjoy watching ships pass and waves roll in from the comfort of your living room, or take in spectacular sunsets from two ocean-facing balconies. This nightly rentable property is situated on a generously sized lot and includes a
Enjoy nature’s drama & beauty from this top-floor condo w/breathtaking views! Watch winter storms & king tides roll in, admire vibrant sunrises framing Mt. Rainier & observe Coast Guard training — all from the comfort of your living room. Vaulted ceilings & a wall of windows flood the space w/natural light & amazing views. Kitchen w/upgraded quartz countertops, tile backsplash, SS appliances &
Experience breathtaking oceanfront views, the sounds of crashing waves & awe-inspiring sunsets from this 3rd-floor unit, perfectly suited for nightly rentals, FT living or an ideal vacation getaway. The entire building has been beautifully refreshed w/new siding, entry doors, patio doors, deck railings, newer roof & exterior paint—peace of mind for years to come. Inside, the unit shines w/new
Sea Bright Cottages—Victorian-inspired beach community just two blocks from miles of the Pacific Ocean's sandy beaches. Charming beach cottage featuring an open-concept design filled with natural light, due to the abundance of windows and beautifully wood-wrapped trim. Thoughtful details throughout include a usable loft space, perfect for more sleeping space, home office, or more storage, a
Perfect Opportunity To Make This Home Your Own, Near the Beach! Bring your ideas and make this beach home your own! This 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath home offers 1,462 sq ft of living space filled with natural light from expansive windows that create a bright, welcoming coastal feel. Two bedrooms are located on the main level—one with convenient access to the laundry area and garage, one with a sliding
Beautifully customized Lexar home featuring thoughtful updates & upgrades throughout being sold furnished/turn-key! Enjoy the benefits of a whole-house water filtration system & instant hot water tank for everyday convenience. An energy-efficient ducted heat pump w/electric furnace backup provides reliable year-round comfort. The covered back patio w/vaulted ceiling & lighting offers an inviting
Pre-Inspected, Move-In Ready, Ocean and Mountain Views & Second Lot Option! This nearly new custom home has been impeccably maintained & enhanced w/designer wallpaper, wall treatments, & stylish finishes throughout. A short walk to beach trails, bay, & jetty, enjoy sunrise & sunset views from covered porches plus ocean & mountain views from upstairs. 4 bedrooms, main-level office & an upstairs
Coastal Modern Cottage on the Grand Canal - this NW Contemporary waterfront home showcases 9’ vaulted, cedar-lined ceilings & expansive picture windows framing serene canal views & abundant year-round wildlife. The light-filled great room features western exposure, bamboo flooring, & a custom propane fireplace with coastal accents & live-edge mantle, with seamless access to the back deck and
Peaceful & Serene Bell Canal home with everything you’ve been searching for including a newly refreshed crawl space! This spacious home offers 4 beds, 1 3/4 baths, & a 2-car garage w/plenty of addtl parking. Expansive windows flood the kitchen & great room w/natural light, highlighting the open layout that flows seamlessly to the large deck overlooking the canal—ideal for entertaining or enjoying
Prime 1,110 SF retail space available in the heart of Ocean Shores at 172 Chance A La Mer NW, Unit #4. Ideally located directly next to the Ocean Shores Convention Center, this high-visibility location benefits from consistent foot traffic generated by year-round events and tourism.Situated within an established retail center, the space offers excellent signage exposure, easy customer access, and
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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