The salty air, the rhythmic crash of waves, the thrill of the hunt – there’s something truly magical about a day spent razor clamming on the Pacific Northwest coast. And when you add the boundless energy and wide-eyed wonder of kids to the mix, it transforms into an unforgettable family adventure.
Living here in Seattle, Washington, we’re fortunate to be within easy reach of some fantastic razor clamming beaches. This spring, we decided to pack our buckets, shovels, razor clam guns, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm for a family expedition to Ocean Shores, and let me tell you, it was a resounding success!
Why Razor Clamming is Perfect for Families:
- It’s an Active Outdoor Adventure: We totally enjoyed being out in nature! Razor clamming kept everyone busy digging and checking out the beach. It was a great way to burn some energy and get some fresh air. We were literally at the beach for hours, doing both clamming, fishing and just hanging out.
- It’s a Treasure Hunt: Seriously, that feeling when you see a “show” and gently dig down to reveal a sparkly razor clam? That’s like instant happiness for everyone! It’s not just random digging, though – you gotta spot the sign, dig with hope, and when you actually nail it and find one where you guessed? So exciting!
- It’s Educational: It’s way more than just digging in the sand, ya know? It’s like a real-life science class right there on the beach! The kids get to see actual marine life up close and learn about the clams themselves – where they live, how they chill in the sand, all that stuff. And it’s a great way to chat about why taking care of the ocean is so important, because it’s the big home for all the marine animals
- It Creates Lasting Memories: Teamwork made the dream work, those hilarious wave moments, and the little win of digging up a clam – that’s the fun stuff that sticks. We were totally beat by the end, especially after that super early start and being on the chilly beach forever, but it was that good kind of tired, like we actually did something really fun together. Just felt so good, you know?
- It’s Rewarding (and Delicious!): There’s a real sense of accomplishment when you bring home a bucketful of fresh clams, ready to be turned into a delicious meal. You will see what we cooked in the end of this blog!
Our Family’s Razor Clamming Adventure: Food & Lodging
We left Seattle around 4 PM on Friday. The drive took about three and a half hours, and we really enjoyed the pretty views along the way. We even got to see two rainbows, which was a nice surprise! The boys were tired after school, so they had a good hour-long nap in the car.
On the way, we grabbed dinner at Rediviva in Aberdeen. Rediviva had a great atmosphere, really chill. Even though we showed up practically at closing, the waitress was so nice. We started with this napa cabbage salad that was surprisingly yummy – you don’t see that too often! Then we ordered the Petrale Sole, Pappardelle Carbonara (which I was digging!), Wagyu Ribeye, and the Rediviva Burger. I ended up trading my Carbonara for my youngest’s burger ’cause he wasn’t into the arugula. We’d asked for lettuce, but they must’ve been out and put arugula on instead. That ribeye was killer, though – so tender! Everything had some strong flavors, but in a good way, and they definitely weren’t shy with the serving sizes, which was awesome!
We stayed at the Canterbury Inn for two nights. The first night, the bedroom heater wasn’t working, so it was pretty chilly in there. Since it was already late, maintenance couldn’t come out that night. They were really apologetic, gave us extra blankets, and even refunded us $75, which was nice. Maintenance came first thing the next morning and got it fixed. We really appreciated their effort and that generous partial refund. Just a heads-up, the hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, so you’ll want to plan for that! They do have a kitchen with good cookware and utensils, so you can totally make your own. For us, since we had to get to the beach super early, we just ate some bread we’d brought in the car.
They also had a huge pool and jacuzzi that my boys totally loved. After the beach all day, they jumped right into the pool that evening! And yeah, they pretty much face-planted into bed right after that long, fun day, too.
For second day lunch/dinner, we went to a restaurant, Oyhut Bay Grill. It was located in the Oyhut Bay which had some cute stores. It looked like they are developing the area so that they had many new houses and stores. They had a little playing area with swing set, Bocce ball, horseshoe pits, and a giant chess set.
Man, after all those hours at the beach, we were starving, so we went all out with the food! It was kinda a late lunch/early dinner situation. We started with calamari and oysters, which were tasty. They were still doing brunch until 3, and even though we got there at like 2:55, our waiter was cool and let the boys order off the brunch menu – they got buttermilk pancakes and a croissant breakfast sandwich. I had the halibut sandwich with clam chowder, and my husband got the melty prime rib French dip with sweet potato waffle fries. Everything was pretty good, and again, we were impressed with the portions! My halibut sandwich was decent, but I thought the halibut itself could have used a bit more flavor. Overall, though, the restaurant was solid, and we’d definitely go back!
Our Family’s Razor Clamming Adventure: Razor Clamming
So, we hit up two different beaches for razor clamming on those two mornings. The first day, Saturday, March 29th, we went to Copalis Beach. We got there around 7 AM, and the first thing that hit me was how incredibly beautiful it was. The sand was reflecting the sky like a mirror, and watching the colors change was just so gorgeous.
So, we were armed with two clam guns, a shovel, and a bucket, pretty much clueless since it was our first try. We were just kinda guessing where to dig, but the boys were loving the whole digging thing. Then, BAM! I found a shrimp, and the clam mission was officially over – it was all about finding more shrimp! We actually found a bunch and let them go at the end of our beach time. So, zero razor clams on day one, but the kids were stoked about the shrimp. But yeah, we were kinda crossing our fingers and toes that we’d at least snag a clam on day two, ’cause that’s the whole reason we made the trip!
Just a heads-up – you can totally use your deadlift technique for digging! When you scoop up all that wet sand, it gets pretty heavy! You don’t want to throw out your back, so definitely channel your inner deadlifter!
My older one was so thrilled when I found this little shrimp in the hole I was digging. That is the moment when shrimp digging started! Haha.
Just so you know, those holes you see in the pictures are probably from shrimp! And yeah, there are tons of them! Finding clams is a little trickier. Sometimes you’ll see them squirt water out of the sand, which is obvious. Otherwise, you can gently tap the sand with your stick or clam gun and hope a “show” pops up which was like a little hole which disappears after popping up. That is what you’re looking for to find a clam!
Day two, we headed to Mocrocks beach. We got there around 7 AM, and whoa, way more cars and people! We were thinking, “Alright, today it’s all about the clams, no more shrimp distractions!” And guess what? Boom! We actually found one! Like, ten minutes after we started digging! We were trying to be super gentle ’cause we knew their shells were delicate. It was such a fun moment, and the good times just kept rolling…
We just kept at it, digging and digging for like two hours. Look at our haul! We got a ton, and some big ones too! We actually think we did pretty awesome for our first time! And yeah, the boys were totally stoked, especially when they found one all by themselves! It was a really fun and intense two-hour dig!
Did we eat all those clams? You bet we did! I was on clam chowder duty, since that’s what the boys wanted. My husband totally rocked it, though – he cleaned all the clams and cooked up some amazing sautéed razor clams and a razor clam pasta. Everything was so tasty, and it felt extra special ’cause we actually worked to get those clams!
Our Family’s Razor Clamming Adventure: Other Activities
Even though razor clamming was the main thing, we had a bunch of other awesome stuff we did too! Next up was fishing, which the boys got into last summer, so they were super excited for that on this trip. They’d fished in the ocean before, but not with waves like this and in the cold. Well, no fish caught, but fishing’s about more than just catching fish, right? Like, while my older one was fishing, my younger one was chasing waves, building sand forts, collecting cool shells, all that fun stuff. My older one would even join in when he got tired of fishing, then head back to it. We spent a good few hours fishing at Copalis Beach both days after clamming. It was just a day of pure outdoor and nature awesomeness!
So, we were fishing, and then this gorgeous rainbow popped up – it was so pretty! And get this, another awesome thing about that beach is you can just park your car right on the sand! That way, you can take a break in the car but still see what the kids are up to. Plus, it’s so easy to run back to the car if you need anything. That was a total win for everyone!
So, after being at the beach for ages, we went to get some lunch/dinner (you know, that restaurant I talked about). Then we checked out a couple of family fun places – arcades. First up was Playtime Family Fun, where we did the bumper cars. They had Go-Karts, but my youngest wasn’t tall enough, so we headed over to Pacific Paradise. It was an arcade with mini golf outside, and the boys had a blast playing games there.
Ocean Shores wasn’t just about the clams – it was a seriously fun place for the whole family! After all the beach time, the game center, and the hotel pool, my boys were totally wiped out in that awesome, good-tired way, you know?
Tips for Razor Clamming with Kids:
Check the Regulations: Before you go, always check the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website for open seasons, licensing requirements, and size limits. This is crucial for responsible harvesting.
Go During Low Tide: Razor clams are easiest to find during low tide. Check out those “confirmed dates” on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website – they tell you the low tide times and which beaches are open, which is super helpful for planning. For example, we went to Copalis Beach on March 29th around 7 AM ’cause that was low tide, giving us a better shot at clams. Trust me, digging underwater is a pain, so definitely aim for low tide!
Dress in Layers: It can still get pretty cold in spring so layers are key to stay comfy, whether it’s sunny or just a bit nippy. Waterproof boots are a must-have! We didn’t have those chest-high waders this time, but we might grab some for next year ’cause we got pretty soaked. Instead, we all wore our ski pants to try and stay as dry as possible. And yeah, everyone had boots and thick waterproof jackets, especially since we had to be at the beach super early when it was chilly.
Bring the Right Gear: You’ll probably want a clam gun. Some folks say shovels are easier, especially for kids ’cause clam guns can be heavy, but we found the clam gun way easier. Just be gentle with ’em ’cause they can break the shells. We snagged our clam guns at Outdoor Emporium in Seattle. Oh, and don’t forget a bucket for your clams! I saw some people using nets that hang around their waist, which seems pretty handy for keeping your hands free, but our bucket worked fine.
Start Slow and Be Patient: It might take a little while to get the hang of spotting shows and digging. Encourage patience and celebrate every successful dig. As you read, we got zero on the first day but we got plenty the second day!
Safety First: Be aware of the tides and potential hazards on the beach. Keep a close eye on young children. Even though the ocean is shallow, never let your kiddos go to water without watching.
Bring Snacks and Drinks: All that digging can work up an appetite! Since we were up super early, we brought some bread with us so we could grab a bite in the car if we got hungry. Definitely bring snacks, especially for the kids! You do not want hangry kids on your hands if the clamming isn’t going well. That’s a recipe for disaster!
More Than Just Clams:
Yeah, it was cold, wet, and we were at the beach forever. But was it worth it? Totally! Nothing beats seeing your kids’ faces light up, all focused on finding something cool, and then that huge grin when they do! Those are the moments you just don’t forget.
Our razor clamming trip to Ocean Shores was about more than just harvesting seafood. It was about connecting with nature, learning new skills, and creating joyful memories as a family. The kids are already asking when we can go again, and honestly, I can’t wait for our next digging adventure. I know for sure it is going to be our annual trip!
So, if you’re looking for a unique and engaging outdoor activity for your family here in the Pacific Northwest, give razor clamming a try. You might just dig up some unforgettable memories!
There is also an YouTube video for this trip! Check that out! Full Video
