Our Pacific Northwest Road Trip takes us to the charming and scenic Whidbey Island. I just knew I was going to fall in love with this island. From the moment we drove up to the ferry line, I had a feeling about the weekend to come. I didn’t quite realize how head over heels, I’d fall.
One aspect of our road trip was the great fun to meet up with so many friends along the way. We have a sweet friend that grew up going to Whidbey Island with her family. They invited us to spend a few days with them along our journey. Their hospitality was generous and thoughtful, we felt right at home. At home indeed I’d say, as I began to fantasize a life for our family on this little island.
We spent our days, walking the tidal beach, building forts, playing games and collecting sand dollars. The kids and I were in heaven. The tide here comes in extremes with high tide flowing to the grassy shores and low tiding stranding boats a .25 mile out. At low tide, the sandy shore becomes easily walkable for stretches as far as you can see.
The particular aspect of Whidbey Island I enjoyed most, is that you aren’t quite able to see the line between the pastoral beauty and the coastal fun. With rolling hillsides, dotted with unmistakably Northwest trees, small farms, horses, and ranches as you meander the country roads to coast side towns it like home to me. I’ve always known, being from L.A. that I need to be by the water, but so much of California is crowded and overbuilt on our coasts. This compliment between country and sea was a peaceful happy place for me and I hope we return again and again.
The small town of Langley, WA is on the eastern side in South Whidbey. A sweet little town with a number of great shops and restaurants including the restaurant at the Inn at Langley. I picked up fresh sweet peas at a local flower stand before having an unforgettable salad at Kalakala Mercantile Co. I may have loved the bowl it was served in as much as the salad itself. The kids and I spent a long while at Moonraker Bookstore, it’s one of our favorite things to do on any vacation.
Further up island is Coupeville and Ebey’s Landing. Coupeville is Washington State’s 2nd oldest town dating back to 1852. It is a historic district within Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve. It’s beautiful shores and pioneer architecture is all protected by this designation. There are quite a few small antique shops in Coupeville that we wondered in while getting to know the town. Our favorite stop was at Knead & Feed. We picked up a delicious rhubarb pie to take to more friends further north along on our day’s journey and a few warm cookies for ourselves.
The last stop on Whidbey Island was at Deception pass. The bridge connects Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island, our next stop. It is the beginning of the San Juan Island chain where the Skagit Bay and The Strait of Juan de Fuca meet. It is quite possibly the most instagrammed bridge in all of Washington State. And you can see why. It’s perched high above tourmaline waters and pebbled beaches. We could have spent all day hiking and playing here and would love to come back to camp in Deception Pass State Park.
Where to Stay
Camp at Fort Casey or Decpetion Pass State Park
Where to Eat
Knead & Feed – Coupeville
Kalakala Mercantile Co. – Lagley
How to get there
From Seattle – north on I-5 towards Mulkiteo Ferry
From Port Townsend – Ferry to Fort Casey
From San Juan Island – Ferry to Anacortes, then south over Deception Pass
