Western Washington Road Trip Itinerary
Whales? Waterfalls? Sunshine and less traffic?! The itinerary for the road trip full of connections.
Springtime = Island Time! San Juans, Whidbey, Camano and all of the fun in between them.
As the brighter seasons roll around, I’m back to my regularly scheduled programming: road-tripping! Winter in the northwest allowed me to learn about sights old and new to me. With the help of some friends, it’s safe to say this is one of my favorite itineraries yet!
Best Time of Year to Visit Western Washington
Spring: The most volatile season, in regards to weather. As the region is known for, rain comes frequently in March and April - but with the high risk, comes high reward. While time moves forward, you can expect more sunshine in the days starting in mid-late April, and into May. The weather may be still cool but the warmth gradually presents itself.
Summer: It’s said that year-round residents of The Evergreen State do it for the summers alone - and I cannot blame them! The weather from June-August is stunning, with daytime highs in the mid-80s and late nights as peak summer sunsets around 9:30pm. However, it’s no secret that many attractions and destinations are extremely busy from sun up to sundown.
Fall: Expect to see a decline in visitors after Labor Day Weekend. Summer temperatures stick around and, for a few reasons, you can start to see the leaves change colors by mid-September. With most businesses still operating into October in vacation destinations, it’s a premier time to visit.
A fall morning in Moran State Park on Orcas Island.
Stop 1: Seattle
That Seattle skyline! *chef’s kiss*
Cities in the northwest have a great connection with nature, and Seattle leads the pack. There are so many communities to explore but this post is going to talk about my favorite neighborhood - West Seattle. On this trip, I started my day at Alki Beach, where you can find unparalleled views of downtown. I had the opportunity to kayak in Elliott Bay with Alki Kayak Tours and meet two great guides. Jesse and Koa were two awesome guys and they sure knew their stuff about the life in the area! It really was one of the highlights of my day and entire trip as we spent such a beautiful day on the water talking about nature. This was all thanks to the Glamp Package, a ticket to the city's wonderful outdoor experiences provided by my lovely hotel in Downtown Seattle.
If your eyes have found the food, that was by intention. After some fun activity, I headed further into the neighborhood to get dinner at La Rustica. The pictures should let the restaurant speak for itself but allow me; that was one of my best dining experiences to date. While the food was excellent, I got to learn about the staff and how well these young people carry themselves while delivering top-notch service. The theme is clearly around the great people I met in West Seattle, as my bartenders at both Otter On The Rocks and the W Living Room.
Where to Stay - W Seattle
Imagine staying at a hotel that gives you the road map to your vacation - look no further than the W Seattle! Countless times in this city couldn’t equate to this one; the friendly staff made me feel right at home, and I sure got cozy in that room. I stayed in a room part of the Faces Of Seattle Collection. Hand-painted murals by Morgan Zion illustrated resident artists from different communities around Seattle, and how I got to learn about West Seattle. I stayed in the Flynn room, which connected me to local restaurants, bars, and shops in the neighborhood. Thanks to the Glamp Package and a sunny spring day to go along with it, I got so very familiar with exploring one area rather than trying to fit everything in on a whim. I cannot wait to stay at the W Seattle again!
Stop 2: Camano Island
And so, we set off to destination number 2 to officially get this road trip, trippin’. Although an island, Camano is a relatively short drive from Seattle and a place to catch some peace and quiet.
Strolls on Cama Beach are an excellent way to start the day!
Camano Island has just a few small towns and, like the rest of Washington, plenty of recreation. Two full days in the area were plenty to get acquainted with the best there was to offer. Breakfast at Cama Beach Cafe was a yummy breakfast sandwich and the biggest cinnamon roll you’ll see! I spent a day exploring parks such as Cama Beach and Camano Island State Parks, and hiking around. For a muggy day, I saw little rain and even fewer people while soaking in some fresh air on my way to Cranberry Lake. As the rain picked up, I got back into the town of Camano for the afternoon to find some fun indoors. Small business pride was everywhere in Camano Commons; I spent time exploring local art and the cutest indoor plant shop called Cactus + Co. This has to be the most photographed place on the island and there’s no question why!
Kick it at the Kristoferson Farm!
Family fun awaits around every corner at this historic farm on Camano. With great canopy tours, event sites, and agriculture galore, there’s plenty to enjoy around the farm. Not to mention the great guides and staff all around the facility; I can’t wait to revisit!
Stop 3: San Juan Island
Rainbows and gorgeous sunsets are a theme on this island.
Time spent on Camano is a perfect intro to the theme of more island-hopping on this road trip. Your drive back off the island will take you further north to the Anacortes ferry terminal, where it’s time to ride over to the San Juan Islands. Starting on the biggest island in the archipelago, San Juan Island is home to so many activities that will have you busy regardless of the weather. I find it customary to enjoy coastal parks such as Lime Kiln Point State Park, the Sculpture Park, or the San Juan Island National Historical Parks of American and British Camp. Even as the rain rolled around on my next day on the island, I was able to check out shops around Friday Harbor and even the Museum of Art with incredible rotating exhibits.
Whale Watching with Maya’s Legacy
Marine life tours are a premier activity in the San Juan Islands. While I’ve heard good things about a lot of companies, one of my favorites has been with Maya’s Legacy, by far.
With passionate naturalists such as April, their knowledge is not the only thing that stands out when we’re out on these waters.
We enjoyed sightings of loads of wildlife, and both naturalist and captain were knowledgeable and so excited to talk about these islands and the inhabitants - which is no surprise, given their extensive experience. On a sunny April afternoon, we caught sight of some orcas in the waters near Fidalgo Island. And by, did we see some! An estimated 15 orcas from various pods were traveling together.
By far, one of my luckiest outings, and such a great group to have this experience with. When in the San Juan’s, whale watching is a must!
Stop 4: Orcas Island
The party on the SJI’s continues with Orcas Island. By this time of the trip, I started to see a lot less rain and plenty of sunshine - which is a frequent occurrence in the western Washington islands. I love traveling to Orcas Island because it is extremely quiet and, being more rural, the rolling hills and mountains surround me. Hidden within the mountains are some real treats such as Moran State Park.
A tiny rainbow shining on Cascade Falls.
This is a state park full of short trails with big payoffs like Cascade Falls which is less than a mile! The entire area is stunning on a blue sky day and I recommend taking it all in. The quaint town of Eastsound is such a lovely place to take a nice afternoon stroll; no matter what time of year, it can always be ice cream-o-clock at Mad Cow Creamery! I will always make a stop here, where they serve the highest quality Lopez Island Creamery goods (hint: whenever someone says “Lopez Island Creamery Ice Cream,” you might want to stop what you’re doing and get in that line).
I call that the perfect sendoff from the San Juan Islands, as the ferry was calling my name. But the real sendoff is that view from the ferry, as the clouds play over the archipelago. And, in that moment, you reflect on your time in the area, the incredible things you saw and what you’re going to see on your return.
Stop 5: Whidbey Island
You thought we were done? No way, Jose! Just a hop, skip and a jump away is an intro to another island, and one of Washington’s most popular state parks: Deception Pass on Whidbey Island. Having seen it for the first time on a beautiful spring day, I can see why the locals love it. Driving around Whidbey Island is casual, as there many places to stop and explore along your routes.
A fun stop not far from the park is the lovely town of Oak Harbor. It’s full of beautiful murals painted by locals, and color adds vibrancy to this cutest of island towns. This must have some effect on the people, who are so kind and welcoming around EVERY corner. With so much to see, shop, and dine, Oak Harbor is the place to unwind.
As the region provides, there is no shortage of beautiful days here from spring-fall. Perfect hiking weather and great hiking trails are located around the island, thanks to the Whidbey Land Trust! By creating and maintaining trails, educating the community and putting more than 40,000 plants in the ground every year, this is group dedicated to the preservation of their environment. I met a few of the incredible volunteers while I walked their beautiful trails, as they give roughly 6,000 hours a year to give to the land that hosts them! The land trust and its volunteers are an excellent example of loving our planet.
Smiles from Veese and Kyle - who look ready to make a difference!!
The ecosystems they upkeep provide refuge for so much wildlife, with views of the strait and even the Olympic range on a clear day! The views can continue around Coupeville, as the waterfront provides gorgeous dining options that’ll hit the spot morning, day or night. It’s a beautiful island through and through, Whidbey. When you’re getting sad about your departure, there’s plenty to cheer you up en route to the ferry at Clinton.
What a stunning garden it is. With flowers like camellia, laurel, and more, this rhododendron garden is such an incredible place to view spring.
There is so much to do on the farm that includes walking trails and a playground and places to eat delicious pie. And with a winery, garden and cheese shop (that’s right, CHEESE), the farm is has got activities and treats in abundance.
Rich in history, Fort Casey was such a nice place to start the day. Not only will find this lighthouse but it is also a birder’s delight, as I saw an osprey take off when I arrived!
Itinerary Goal: Relax…
“Stop” does not necessarily mean “day” in this itinerary. From March until October, you can find great weather along this route and less traffic in some rather busy vacation areas come summertime. Year-round, you will find many of the same residents of land and seas who are ready to welcome visitors that want to make a positive impact on their homes. What can a positive impact be? Leading with kindness and setting examples to Leave No Trace, Be Whale Wise and enjoy the moment you’re in. When you visit the islands of Western Washington, your focus should include being present and enjoying where your feet are, so as not to take days like these for granted.
