SD to Whidbey Coastal Run

A fast-paced dash up the coast to position you for the Redwoods.

3days
12stops
Day 1: Day 1 · Central Coast Cruise
4 stops
San Diego Start
08:00
Santa Barbara Stop
11:30
Pismo Beach
15:00
Hilton San Jose
19:00
Day 2: Day 2 · Into the Giants
4 stops
San Jose Departure
08:30
Avenue of the Giants
13:30
Founders Grove
15:00
Hilton Garden Inn Eureka
18:30
Day 3: Day 3 · The Final Stretch
4 stops
Eureka Start
07:00
Eugene Pitstop
12:00
Mukilteo Ferry
18:30
Whidbey Island
19:30
Heads Up
  1. Day 3 is a heavy driving day
  2. Book the Eureka Hilton early
  3. Ferry lines can be long
  4. Day 1: last stop 19:00 — leave earlier or drop a stop
  5. Day 2: 5h 30m driving — plan rest stops
  6. Day 2: last stop 18:30 — leave earlier or drop a stop
  7. Day 3: 7h driving — plan rest stops
  8. Day 3: last stop 19:30 — leave earlier or drop a stop

SD to Whidbey Coastal Run

A legendary West Coast dash from sunny SD to the misty pines of Whidbey Island.

San Diego → San Jose → Avenue of the Giants → Eureka → Mukilteo ⛴ Whidbey Island

  1. Day 1 · Central Coast Cruise

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

    • San Diego Start

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

    • Santa Barbara Stop

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

    • Pismo Beach

      Pismo Beach (population 8,000 in 2020) is in San Luis Obispo County in the Central Coast region of California. It is part of the Five Cities Metropolitan Area which also includes Shell Beach (within the northern part of the Pismo Beach city limits), and Grover Beach, Oceano and Arroyo Grande, all to the south and south-east of Pismo Beach.

    • Hilton San Jose

      Crash at this Hilton to prep for the Redwood run tomorrow.

  2. Day 2 · Into the Giants

    Transition from the city to the ancient forests of Northern Cali.

    • San Jose Departure

      Grab coffee and head north past the Golden Gate.

    • 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

      Quick loop to see the Dyerville Giant—it's mind-blowing.

    • Hilton Garden Inn Eureka

      Perfect Hilton stop right in the heart of the Redwoods.

  3. Day 3 · The Final Stretch

    A big push north ending with a beautiful sunset ferry ride.

    • Eureka Start

      Early start for the long push through Oregon.

    • Eugene Pitstop

      Quick lunch break in this cool college town.

    • 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.