California has Monterey Bay with its 17-mile drive --
Northwest
Washington has Chuckanut Drive overlooking Puget Sound & beautiful Chuckanut
Bay with incredible views or the San Juan Islands and local Oyster farms along
the shoreline and popular seafood and oyster restaurants.
Local Chuckanut Real Estate
Chuckanut Real Estate tends to be more expensive than
many of the surrounding communities due to its beautiful views of
the sound, proximity to hiking trails, Larrabee State park, and the
prestige of a Chuckanut drive address. You will find many homes in the
million dollar range hugging the shoreline.
Million
Dollar Views
Chuckanut Drive is considered by many to be
one of Washington State's most scenic drives and it is a must see
for anyone visiting the Bellingham area and Northwest
Washington.
Chuckanut Drive was once the only route
between Seattle and Bellingham for those continuing north to Vancouver but these
days it is mostly used by tourists visiting the scenic overlooks and the very
popular Larrabee State park.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Current
Weather Conditions And Forecast For Chuckanut Drive, Bellingham
Washington
Chuckanut drive
is a slower paced road than I-5 with speed limits of approximately 35 to 40
mph. Interstate 5 has speed limits of up to 70 mph in of the a stretch
between Burlington and Bellingham. Even though Chuckanut is laid back and slower than the freeway, there's something
about a road like this that attracts people with sports cars and racing
motorcycles and occasionally some of them like to drive fast and
loose.
There are a number of turnouts for you to pull over and
let the faster cars and motorcycle ho-tdoggers pass or you can just pull over to enjoy the view.
How To Get Here
If you are coming from Bellingham you take the exit off of Interstate 5 at
Fairhaven Parkway traveling west and then simply follow the signs.You will end up in Skagit Valley at the other end of Chuckanut Drive where you can either hop on Interstate 5 to return North
to Bellingham or turn around and enjoy you ride on the winding road back to
Bellingham's Fairhaven District.
OYSTER
FARMS
As you wind your way along Chuckanut drive you will pass a number of Oyster
Farms and see their oyster beds stretching far out into the shallow
bays.
When the tide is high they aren't as noticable, but when the
tide is low you will see row after row of oysters being
cultivated. Along Chuckanut drive you will find oyster bars and
fine restaurants overlooking the oyster beds. When they say their oysters are
fresh-they mean it.
The oysters raised in these waters along Chuckanut Drive are
considered by many to be amongst the best in the world.
Restaurants
such as the Chuckanut Manor, The Oyster Bar On Chuckanut Drive,
& Oyster Creek Inn On Chuckanut Drive are very popular with local
oyster lovers. The restaurant with the best view of the oyster
beds is The Oyster Bar On Chuckanut Drive, however, if you are afraid of
heights you might want to visit the Oyster Creek Inn or Chuckanut Manor.
Parking At
A Premium
Parking along Chuckanut Drive is very limited so you may need to
park on the side of the road and walk quite a ways but it's worth it. Just be careful opening your door and watch out for oncoming traffic and hot
shots on motorcycles that sometimes come racing by out of nowhere.
Narrow
Lanes Add to The Chuckanut Fun
Chuckanut Drive is a beautiful drive but is also very narrow. Much of
the roadway was carved through solid rock and much of the road winds its
way along the edge of steep cliffs. Slower vehicles can pull over a
numerous scenic overlooks to let faster traffic pass.
If you are driving an
extra wide
vehicle, RV, or motorhome you'll want to take extra careful to stay in your lane
but also not to scrape the sheer rock walls along
the way.
Pack
A Picnic
If you're packing a picnic lunch you might like to
make your way to Larrabee state park and
stake out a spot on the beach or one of several scattered throughout the
park.
There are also picnic tables at some
pull outs and overlooks that you can use for free.These
picnic areas are beautiful and a great place to stretch your legs
and look out at the San Juan islands. If you leave the
area as clean as you found them, they will be all ready for the next
person pulling over for a rest.
Chuckanut Area Restaurants
The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive
Open Daily at 5pm 360/766-6185
Chuckanut Manor Open for Lunch & Dinner Tuesday - Sunday
3056 Chuckanut Drive 360/766-6191
Oyster Creek Inn on Chuckanut Drive
Open noon - 9pm Daily 360/766-6179
Chuckanut By
Train
One of the best ways to enjoy Chuckanut's beauty is actually by train.
Amtrak's Cascades travels regularly between Seattle and Vancouver and on its way
it passes through some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Washington
State.
The tracks wind along the water's edge giving you a feeling
of being in a boat rather than on the train with unobstructed views of Puget
Sound, the San Juan Islands, and a glimpse of Vancouver Island.
Larrabee State Park
Larrabee State park is one of the major destinations
along Chuckanut Dr. This 2,683-acre park was
Washington's first state park and is a great
place for camping, beachcombing, hiking, & bird watching.
There are two freshwater lakes, tidelands, over eight miles of trails,
picnic tables and even a boat ramp, all within minutes to Downtown
Bellingham Park INFORMATIONTerms of Use
Store hours may vary. All information is subject to change
without notice. Some businesses may come or go without notice.
Terms
of UseCANADIAN DUTY TAX ALLOWANCES
BOOKMARK THIS WEBSITE FOR EASY RETURN
The
Long And Winding Road
Parking At
A Premium
Narrow
Lanes Add to The Chuckanut Fun 
Pack
A Picnic 
Larrabee State Park 
