SD to Whidbey Coastal Run

We're kicking off from San Diego and pushing north. It's a bit of a haul, but getting past the Grapevine early makes the rest of the trip a breeze.

3days
12stops
Day 1: Day 1 · The Central Coast Dash
4 stops
San Diego Start
09:00
Santa Barbara Lunch
12:41
Pismo Beach Stop
15:08
Hilton Garden Inn Monterey
18:00
Day 2: Day 2 · Giants & Fog
4 stops
Monterey Departure
09:00
Avenue of the Giants
14:09
Founders Grove
15:26
DoubleTree by Hilton Eureka
18:00
Day 3: Day 3 · The Pacific Northwest Finish
4 stops
Eureka Start
09:00
Portland Pitstop
13:09
Mukilteo Ferry
16:58
Whidbey Island
18:00
Heads Up
  1. Heavy driving on Day 3
  2. Book ferries in advance if possible
  3. Pack layers for the fog
  4. Day 2: 5h 30m driving — plan rest stops
  5. Day 3: 8h driving — plan rest stops

SD to Whidbey Coastal Run

A whirlwind West Coast dash from sunny SD to the misty Redwoods and the PNW islands.

San Diego → Monterey → Avenue of the Giants → Eureka → Portland → Whidbey Island

  1. Day 1 · The Central Coast Dash

    Big driving day to clear the LA traffic and hit the scenic central coast vibes.

    • San Diego Start

      Fuel up and hit the I-5 early to beat the morning rush.

    • Santa Barbara Lunch

      Stretch your legs on State Street and grab a quick taco.

    • Pismo Beach Stop

      Quick ocean breeze break before the final push to the hotel.

    • Hilton Garden Inn Monterey

      Check in and crash. You're perfectly positioned for the north coast tomorrow.

  2. Day 2 · Giants & Fog

    This is the magic day. Massive trees and misty Northern Cali coastlines.

    • Monterey Departure

      Grab coffee and head north through the Bay Area.

    • Avenue of the Giants

      The Avenue of the Giants is a scenic highway in northern California, United States, running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It is named for the coast redwoods that tower over the route. The road is a former alignment of U.S. Route 101, and continues to be maintained as a state highway as State Route 254.

    • Founders Grove

      Short loop walk to see the Dyerville Giant. Totally worth it.

    • DoubleTree by Hilton Eureka

      Waterfront stay in a cool Victorian-era timber town.

  3. Day 3 · The Pacific Northwest Finish

    Big miles today through Oregon to reach the island ferry.

    • Eureka Start

      Early start for the longest leg of the trip.

    • Portland Pitstop

      Quick food truck lunch to power through the I-5 corridor.

    • Mukilteo Ferry

      Washington State Ferries (WSF) is a public ferry system in the U.S. state of Washington that carries passengers and vehicles. A division of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), it operates 8 routes serving 20 terminals within Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands.

    • Whidbey Island

      Whidbey Island is the largest of the islands composing Island County, Washington, in the United States, and the largest island in Washington state. Whidbey is about 30 miles (48 km) north of Seattle, and is separated from the Olympic Peninsula in the southwest by Admiralty Inlet. The island forms the northern boundary of Puget Sound. It is home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.