Chuckanut Drive

Chuckanut Drive

The historic Chuckanut Drive was constructed in 1896, and offers superb views of the San Juan Islands and Samish Bay in Washington State.  Key stops along the way include the Oyster Bar, Taylor Shellfish Farms, Larrabee State Park, and Chuckanut Gallery.  The true highlight of Chuckanut Drive is the final 10-miles, when the road winds around Chuckanut Mountain before ending in Bellingham.  There are a number of pull-outs to enjoy, with breathtaking vistas of the San Juan Islands. 

Chuckanut Drive starts at Exit 231 off i5, and extends 21-miles north to Bellingham, ending in Bellingham's Fairhaven Historic District.

Things to do along the 21-mile Chuckanut Drive (driving north)

1. After taking Exit 231 off i5, your first stop is the famous Oyster Bar, perched in a clifftop location on Chuckanut Drive.  Enjoy oysters and wine in a romantic fine-dining setting (always call ahead for bookings 360 766 6185).  
2. If you still have a craving for oysters, travel further along Chuckanut Drive to Taylor Shellfish Farms, and pick up a few dozen oysters at the Retail Store.  You can often glimpse workmen unloading fresh Pacific Oysters from the nearby dock.
3. Larrabee State Park is next.   There are two main entrances to Larrabee State Park along Chuckanut Drive .  The first entrance is "Clayton Beach Trailhead", but the directions to the beach from this parking lot are not clear.  Travel instead to the second entrance with the sign that states "Larrabee State Park - Welcome".  You will pass through an entrance booth to a parking lot with a large lawned picnic area and an open-air stage. The walk to the beach only takes 5-minutes from the parking lot.  Turn right when you reach a junction along the short walking trail, and proceed down to a dramatic cove with unusual limestone rock formations. 
4. Your final stop along Chuckanut Drive is the Chuckanut Bay Gallery and Sculpture Garden, featuring an extensive range of northwest pottery, glassware, jewelry and woodwork.  Spend a few minutes enjoying the lovely water features in the small garden.
5. Chuckanut Drive ends in Bellingham.  Consider spending the next day in Bellingham to explore the bustling Fairhaven Historic District, and a wide selection of museums, galleries and parks.