Want to get into Ocean fishing

[Gear guy]

I have an 18 foot boat with a 50 HP motor on it. Not looking at getting too crazy but I think it's possible to get into some decent fishing along the coast with a boat that size and catch a few salmon and bottom fish. Are there areas that are better for this type of fishing without crazy big swells and an area where a beginner can learn how to catch some decent fish and not get into ocean trouble? I have fished a couple times off the coast at Port Renfrew and it seemed like we didn't have to get out too far to catch fish but wonder if there are better areas