Sequim is a city in Clallam County, Washington, on the north side of the Olympic Peninsula, between the Dungeness River and Sequim Bay and south of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Its population was 8,024 at the 2020 census. The city sits in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, a microclimate that gives it markedly drier and sunnier weather than much of western Washington — a quality celebrated in its nickname, 'Sunny Sequim.' That climate shaped the community's modern identity. Beginning in the mid-1990s, local farmers seeking to preserve their rural farmland turned to lavender, and the crop flourished in the dry, sunny conditions. Sequim now calls itself the Lavender Capital of North America, with more than 20 lavender farms and an annual festival that draws tens of thousands of visitors each summer. The city's geography anchors its recreation. The Dungeness Spit, the longest natural sand spit in North America, extends north into the Strait of Juan de Fuca within the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, and Olympic National Park's mountains, rainforests, and coastline lie just beyond the city. This positioning makes Sequim a year-round basecamp for outdoor recreation on the peninsula. Sequim's housing ranges from older residential streets near a walkable downtown to newer retirement-oriented developments on the surrounding lowlands, reflecting the community's appeal to both long-time residents and retirees drawn by the climate. Public schools fall under the Sequim School District. Transit options, including Clallam Transit and ferry connections toward Seattle, keep the peninsula linked to the larger region. For residents, Sequim offers a sunny, small-city lifestyle centered on agriculture, recreation, and easy access to Olympic National Park. Its combination of dry-summer climate, lavender country, and coastal scenery makes it one of the most distinctive communities on the Olympic Peninsula.