All the beaches in our area, with the exception of those at the reservations at La Push and the Hoh river, are included in the Olympic National Park, and thus are virtually unspoiled. In our opinion, Rialto is just about the best beach in the area (did I mention that it's just 4 miles down the road from our place?). Rialto remains a wild, primeval spot at what seems to be the end of the earth, and is (but there's a parking lot). Summer and winter the beach is pounded by monstrous surf and scattered with giant driftwood logs that regularly come down the Quileute river. Sea-life abounds, and in the right season, one can view seals, sea lions, orcas, and migrating gray whales. There are always a multitude of sea birds about, and frequently you can watch eagles watch you. There are some very large sea stacks about 1 mile north of the parking lot, and Hole-in-the-Wall, a surf-carved tunnel in a headland is only about 1/2 mile further. At or near low tide, the "Hole" is passable on foot, and the fascinating marine-life in the surrounding tidal pools is revealed. A word of caution: Ellen's Creek cuts right through the beach just under a mile north of the parking lot. It can readily be forded by walking over some logs, but be prepared for the possibility that you might get wet.
The Coastline at Rialto Beach. On the left the view is southward from a vantage point at the headland at Hole in the Wall, itself located about 1.5 miles north of the parking area at Rialto. Frequently, one can see seals and sea lions in the surf, migrating orcas and grey whales, as well as eagles circling for a kill. The center view is from a vantage point 0.5 mile or so north of Hole in the Wall. The far right view is one of summer hikers taken looking northward from near the south end of the beach. The sea stacks seen in the photo at the left are visible in the distance.
Note the brilliant sunlight. It's a vicious lie spread by jealous competitors that the sun never shines here. So what if we were the beneficiaries of 162.14 inches of rain in 1997. Like in Camelot, it only rains at night.
Driftwood Logs and Sea Stacks along Rialto Beach. The hikers in a couple of these pictures give an idea of the scale
James Island. Located at the mouth of the Quileute River at the south end of Rialto Beach. In the past it was a fortress of last resort for the Quileute tribe. Here it is ... Summer and Winter
We just can't seem to get enough of Hole in the Wall. You'll probably feel that way too. The tunnel is guarded on the south by immense sea stacks. The tunnel itself can be easily walked through at or near low tide (tide tables can usually be found at bulletin board near the parking lot). On the south side of the tunnel, the surf has sculpted some serpentine shapes into the rock . Seaward of the hole, there is an extensive series of rock ledges and tidal pools harboring a wide array of marine life.
Sea stack
sentinels 
The "Hole in the Wall"
Surf Sculpture
Ledges extending
into the sea
Tidal Pool Life. Completely fascinating. The Hole in the Wall tidepools, which can be explored on foot at low tide, host a wide variety of intertidal life, including, anemones, algae, various mollusks, sea stars, sea urchins, and sea grasses. Here are some photos of a few of the more visible tidepool residents.
Anemones
Sea stars. The orange individual in the photo at the right is trying
to make a meal of a chiton.
Despite its wild and sometimes threatening nature, Rialto Beach is not without many romantic interludes. Here are some views of Sunsets at Rialto. These are the moments to have a bottle of wine, at least one close friend, and the time to enjoy them both.
Coming soon..... Rialto Beach during winter storms. Like Beethoven, these storms show us God's Power.