San Diego, CA to Anacortes, WA

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fijidad

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We're looking to travel from San Diego to Anacortes up Hwy. 5 in the next few months, and then take our time coming back Hwy. 101.

Any recommendations on where to lay over on the way up 5? We're planning on 4-6 hour days.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks,  Dan
 
Not sure further south, but there is a casino around Red Bluff that might have parking. There is 7 feathers in Canyonville,OR that is decent. There is a private park just off I5 at the Tootle river in WA.  From there north I would not plan to stop.  Seattle traffic can take a long time to get through, so plan weekend or mid day straight up I5.
Coming south, back thru Seattle or an expensive fery ride over to vancouver island and back across to WA and 101 around the Olympics and south.
 
If you are planning a stop around Portland, the Multnomah falls and the Columbia River Gorge are not that far off hwy 5. Very pretty falls. The whole area has the most waterfalls in one area in North America. We didn't stay at any but there are quite a few campgrounds in the area.
 
If you want to avoid Seattle; from Olympia take hwy 101 north to to hwy 20 to Port Townsend. the take the ferry to Coupeville and continue north on 20 to Anacortes.

Ferry costs:
over 40ft is $57.30
over 50ft is $69.30
over 60ft is $80.90

fare and reservations at:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

ken
 
A nice alternative route heading north out of California is to take HWY 97 out of Weed, CA (there's also a really nice little RV park there just east of town) and head north all the way to I84 and then head west toward Portland. The mileage is about the same as staying on I-5 into and through Oregon, but the drive and the scenery along 97 is really nice as you head toward Bend and north to 84.

Also be aware, that I5 into Seattle is some of the roughest freeway you will experience and always crowded heading into Seattle. Once north of Seattle traffic subsides a bit and the roadway becomes more manageable. I personally would pick up 101 in southern WA and cross the Columbia at Astoria. The drive south on 101 through Oregon and into California is a must do.
 
Ken & Sheila said:
If you want to avoid Seattle; from Olympia take hwy 101 north to to hwy 20 to Port Townsend. the take the ferry to Coupeville and continue north on 20 to Anacortes.

Ferry costs:
over 40ft is $57.30
over 50ft is $69.30
over 60ft is $80.90

fare and reservations at:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

Peak season rates will be higher and more costly with toad.

ken
Click to expand...
 
Thanks very much for the advice...much appreciated. Dan
 
All good suggestions but my go to spot if I'm going north or south on 5 is Millersylvania
state park.  Just on the southern edge of sanity south of Olympia you can time your
departure to miss the worst of Seattle.
My favorite N/S run is 97 through Oregon crossing the Columbia River at Biggs Junction
and continuing north to Wenatchee then East on 2 to I-5 at Everett then to Anacortes.
By the way Anacortes is the city on the bay and the home of the real Seahawks.:)
 
Flag City RV park in Lodi is nice and right off I 5, although the Wi-Fi was horrible when we stayed there last year. This would be about a seven hour drive for you.  Avoiding Sacramento at rush hour would be a good move.  If you are boondocking on the way back, the Redwoods have several very nice parks.
 
Bill and Debbie said:
A nice alternative route heading north out of California is to take HWY 97 out of Weed, CA (there's also a really nice little RV park there just east of town) and head north all the way to I84 and then head west toward Portland. The mileage is about the same as staying on I-5 into and through Oregon, but the drive and the scenery along 97 is really nice as you head toward Bend and north to 84.

Also be aware, that I5 into Seattle is some of the roughest freeway you will experience and always crowded heading into Seattle. Once north of Seattle traffic subsides a bit and the roadway becomes more manageable. I personally would pick up 101 in southern WA and cross the Columbia at Astoria. The drive south on 101 through Oregon and into California is a must do.
Click to expand...

I go to Poulsbo just to grab treats at Sluys's Bakery...and some jagerschnitzel at Tizley's! And to see my Buddy Dave, of course.
 
mypursuit said:
All good suggestions but my go to spot if I'm going north or south on 5 is Millersylvania
state park.  Just on the southern edge of sanity south of Olympia you can time your
departure to miss the worst of Seattle.
My favorite N/S run is 97 through Oregon crossing the Columbia River at Biggs Junction
and continuing north to Wenatchee then East on 2 to I-5 at Everett then to Anacortes.
By the way Anacortes is the city on the bay and the home of the real Seahawks.:)
Click to expand...

Is there an RV park or layover  you could recommend about half-way on the route up 97 from Weed to Anacortes? Google is showing that drive at about 10 hours, so I'd like to break that up in to two days. Thanks,  Dan
 
Maryhill State Park is just across the river from Biggs Junction.  Maryhill museum and
the Stonehedge Memorial are worth a look as well as Maryhill Winery.

Farther south in Madras Oregon the County Fairgrounds are a block off the hiway.
Twenty a night for FHU.
 
mypursuit said:
Maryhill State Park is just across the river from Biggs Junction.  Maryhill museum and
the Stonehedge Memorial are worth a look as well as Maryhill Winery.

Farther south in Madras Oregon the County Fairgrounds are a block off the hiway.
Twenty a night for FHU.
Click to expand...

Great...thanks for the tips. Dan
 
fijidad said:
Is there an RV park or layover  you could recommend about half-way on the route up 97 from Weed to Anacortes? Google is showing that drive at about 10 hours, so I'd like to break that up in to two days. Thanks,  Dan
Click to expand...

If you decide to head West on I-84 toward Portland and then connect with I-5 North, we have stayed several times at Tri Mountain RV just off the 5 in Richfield, WA. Once parked you can walk to a nice little pizza joint and the gas stations there are easy in and out. Would make the day two drive pretty manageable. Just try to get through Seattle before 3pm
 
Bill, can you give me the name of the RV park you mention outside of Weed? Thanks,  Dan
 
fijidad said:
Bill, can you give me the name of the RV park you mention outside of Weed? Thanks,  Dan
Click to expand...

Believe it was Trailer Lane RV park. Very small with about 20 mostly pull through sits sitting under the tall pines. A bit of noise from I-5 but not bad by any stretch. A real mom and pop place. We loved it as a nice overnight before heading to Bend along 97.

Safe travels.
 
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