A 1-Day Road Trip Up Washington’s Original Scenic Byway

As winter comes to an end and the days start to get longer, many of us start to get the itch to venture out of our winter hibernation. This day trip itinerary is the perfect remedy for that urge to explore!

I started from Seattle, but you could be coming from anywhere or add this onto a longer trip to get in some extra sights. You’ll need a car and some hiking boots!

Chuckanut Drive

Chuckanut Drive is Washington’s original scenic byway. This road spans 24 miles of cliffs, coastline, and spectacular views of the San Juan Islands and Samish Bay. It’s been compared to California’s Big Sur because of its winding nature and the unique fact that it’s the only place where the Cascade Mountains meet the sea, creating plunging cliffs.

To find it, take I-5 North until you see the exit 231 for Highway 11 near Burlington. This is Chuckanut Drive, and it will spur off to the northwest towards the coast from the interstate. Take in the sights as you wind along the drive, stopping at the various pullouts to enjoy the sweeping views.

There are numerous potential stops to make along the drive, but here are a few I’ve chosen.

Taylor Shellfish Farm & Market

This stop is one that will have you wondering if you’re in the right place as you head down the steep, narrow gravel driveway, but trust me, you are! Taylor Shellfish has multiple restaurant locations around Seattle, but this particular one has a much more, shall we say, rustic atmosphere. They farm oysters here on Samish Bay and you can buy a whole smorgasbord of seasonal seafood offerings at great prices here at the market. The dining areas are almost all outdoors, so bundle up if you come in the colder months like I did. Shelling Dungeness crab with frozen fingers may be a challenge, but it’s worth it when you get this amazing view.

Clayton Beach

Once you’ve filled up on delicious seafood, hop back in the car and continue your way up the byway to Larabee State Park. This was Washington’s first state park and also the site of many great hiking trails, including Clayton Beach.

This trail is pretty easy and not too long, maybe a mile. Towards the end it gets a little difficult to follow and there is one steep section where you should be cautious of slipping, but it should not be an issue for most able-bodied adults. Accessing the beach requires crossing some train tracks, so be very aware of your surroundings.

NOTE: I believe this trail may be “officially” closed because of the train track crossing until a footbridge is built in the future. So go at your own risk. We personally had no issues and the section of track that you cross over has plenty of visibility. But it is something to be aware of. There are no restrooms along the trail, so make sure you go at the parking lot.

The beach is well worth it, in my opinion! It’s beautiful and secluded with tide pools to explore at low tide and awesome sandstone formations made by the waves. Due to the hike to reach it, it wasn’t crowded at all when we went so it was very peaceful.

Fairhaven

Our final stop on our road trip was the town of Fairhaven, right outside of Bellingham. This is where Chuckanut Drive comes to an end. Fairhaven is a designated historic district full of restored brick Victorian-era buildings housing shops, bakeries, cafes, and art galleries to explore. This is a perfect place to end your day with a delicious dinner at one of the local restaurants or to refuel with coffee and a pastry for the next leg of your journey.

I hope this itinerary gave you some ideas for your next day trip or as part of a longer exploration of Washington’s coast! Let me know your favorite stop along Chuckanut Drive in the comments.