I respectfully disagree. My experience, and it’s just because I’ve lived in a few states, is that there really isn’t that much difference across the state culturally. All the rituals seem common and dissent is dissuaded through socioeconomic policy or construct. Not debating, but possibly stirring.

Get a cabin at Sol Duc Hot Springs (Google it). Beautiful area with unlimited hiking opportunities. If you also go to the Hoh rainforest you’ll go through Forks. Don’t go to Forks just to see Forks and don’t go to the ocean there (La Push). I like Pt. Townsend, nice historic touristy downtown on the water, and historic Fort Worden. Worth a day trip in my opinion if you’re into that. You’ll be flying into Seattle, whether they have hoppers to Port Angeles I don’t know. Olympic Peninsula resident, for what it’s worth.

Where is this?

One thing I learned living in Spokane, everything West of Ellensburg is all just considered Seattle or "the coast" by many here 😂

I vacationed there a few weeks ago. I would rent a car from Turo - that's what I did and it was awesome. I stayed in the Hoh Valley Cabins in the Hoh Rainforest, and they were lovely. The owner is an extremely nice man whose family has owned the land for about a century. It's in a great central location, as well. It was also extremely affordable. His sister owns the little souvenir shop nearby. They both had so much amazing history to share. I would stay away from Hall of Moss/Spruce Trail. Everyone flocks there and you can definitely tell in the landscape that there is an overabundance of people. That was the only hike I didn't care for. Go for less popular areas. Download the Alltrails app if you haven't - it was absolutely fundamental to my trip. My fave hike was Sam's Loop Trail. We also did the hike to Third Beach - stunning. The Sol Duc Loop is gorgeous and has two waterfalls. We did the Hoh River Trail to Mineral Falls. Also beautiful with several river access points. Went to Lake Crescent - the turquoise water was incredible and the hike to Devil's Punchbowl has some neat historical significance. On our last day, we went up to Anacortes, caught an amazing hour-long ferry ride to the San Juan Islands. We arrived in Friday Harbor to go on an adventure whale watching tour. We went with Western Prince as they have small, fast boats. We saw minke whales, stellar sea lions, harbor seals, and bald eagles. It was very exciting! Forks is a cute little town and has the only grocery shopping between Aberdeen and Port Angeles. Let me know if you have any questions!

Oh wow that's gorgeous

That's plenty of time to see all the various ecosystems of the park. If you want to hike around in the high country, or visit Rainier or other equally beautiful parts of the Cascades, then definitely try to come in July at the earliest. If you're fit hikers and want to do an all-day hike, then the High Divide - 7 Lakes Basin loop is a great choice. That's definitely a July hike. Check out wta.org for more hike suggestions, and consider posing questions/doing research at NW Hikers as well.

The classic short trip to ONP is some combination of Hurricane Ridge/a beach/Hoh Rainforest. You'll have more time so definitely go deeper than that. Forks is a good gateway to the Hoh and some coastal areas but is a pretty run down place with not much to do.

Port Angeles area will have most lodging options and is a good town to stay in but it's much closer to the Hurricane Ridge area and the northern Olympics than to the coast (check out Grand Ridge and Royal Basin for a great long hikes in the northern Olys). Just check out drive times from there to places you wanna visit.

Fly into SeaTac and consider taking the ferry from Seattle or Edmonds to get across the sound to add some novelty to the journey, but you can also just drive around through Tacoma.

Shoot, Yakima County was meant to be in east

Stunning!! I love mornings like this.

Just a thought if you decide to take the Tacoma. The back end of those are very light and can get squirrely. The bed is made of a plastic composite. Consider putting some sand bags in the back or something for extra weight.

I own a Tacoma and Drive to Spokane every winter.

Me living in Yakima county, surrounded by sage and farmlands

Hmmmmm

Amazing! I like the how you did the foam and splashes. Clever.

I’d recommend the Tacoma… great handeling, balance weight, lots of storage in the bed. But make sure tires are good. Keep chains…. Just in case. Practice putting them on.

Very pretty pic.

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Tacoma. Better to have the best capability and not need it…

Subaru would be my preference

If you take the Tesla there’s free parking at the charge stations. Otherwise you will have to pay for parking. There’s 2 chargers behind city hall but there’s also a Tesla charging park. Other than that I would recommend taking the vehicle you are most comfortable driving and or has the best tires for the weather.

Don’t risk the Tesla. You never know how long the drive back over the pass is going to take. It’s not unusual to be stuck hours in bad weather trying to get back home. You don’t want to lose charge and be the cause of another long delay.

Even if you have awd you need to get chains for whatever car you choose. Practice putting them on for your trip before you go. Watch some driving in snow videos for helpful tips.

Edit: Also hoping to drive over sounds like you haven’t made hotel reservations. Unless you are staying with family most hotels will be booked solid. Or will cost $$$ because it’s that time of year.

The Tesla is fine in the snow but keep in mind that range drops in cold temps. Even if the map says you have enough charge to reach your destination you may have issues. There is a Tesla charger in Leavenworth.

I love moonlit late fall/winter nights. The sky is so clear, allowing the moon to cast it silver light so clearly. There is nothing like seeing your moon-shadow on a late night walk.

Definitely not the Tesla unless someone changed the tires to a winter rated all season. EV tires are typically built for high fuel mileage, not cold weather traction. Wenatchee will be cold enough to make those tires hard rubber skis which won’t grip anything.

Of the group, I’d find the tire brands and models, compare them on Tirerack.com and choose the car with the best rated cold weather tires.

That and never follow closely, always assume you’ll need to stop at every intersection even if uncontrolled, drop speed a bit a bit for icy or snow covered roads and just relax. You’ll get there when you get there, don’t get pressured into having to be someplace.

That and remember that AWD doesn’t mean anything without decent tires. It’s only advantage is that in deeper snow or slick conditions with excellent tires, you’ll be an,e to keep moving. It doesn’t mean you can stop or turn better once you break traction. It makes it slightly better, not fool proof.

Every year in Spokane at every snowfall, all of the cars off the road are AWD or 4WD because they got fooled into thinking they can defy the laws of physics. They cannot, either can you.

Source, long time winter drive and a dad...listen to the old man here.

This! Tires with good tread rated for all weather and a set of chains. That’ll be all you need.

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Depending on which car has the best winter tires either the rav 4 or the Tacoma. Both for visibility and traction. Subaru isn't a bad option, if it has good winter tires. Always see teslas in the ditches though, so probably the worst option there