Roadtrippin'

Since the Pacific Northwest is a distant land for most, we're hoping that you have the opportunity to explore before or after the weekend. We've put together a list of sites and activities if you're moseying over to Walla Walla in an automobile or just looking to explore!

We have many more food and drink recommendations in each city so please feel free to message us for something specific!

Seattle to Walla walla

This is a popular starting point for getting to Walla Walla, and an excellent place to explore before or after the weekend. The weather is beautiful in the summer 

1. San Juan Islands - Start or end your trip with hiking, relaxing, and sunshine. These islands are accessible by ferry and offer plenty of activities!
2. Pike Place Market - Seattle's original marketplace that always has something good going on: farmer's markets, crafts markets, specialty foods, and restaurants. There are 4 fish markets alone!
3. Totokaelo - One of our favourite shops with the hippest clothes and shoes! Most labels are ethically and sustainably produced so it's extra worth it to buy here!
4. Serious Pie - for your Pacific Northwest pizza fix.
5. Etta's Restaurant - a local seafood restaurant very close to Pike Place. Jim recommends oysters!
6. General Porpoise Coffee & Doughnuts - A pun, excellent coffee, and James Beard award winning doughnuts, what more could you want? Seattle is known for their coffee so we'd recommend trying any on this list.
7. Seattle Central Library - We like books! We also like reading them in beautiful places. This flagship location of the Seattle Public Library is stunning inside and out and also features site-specific work created by Kika's art professor.
8. Twede's Cafe - for fans of Twin Peaks, you're going to want to stop here on your way out of Seattle.
9. Campus Utotem - Kika's co-worker, Jen, highly recommends this burger and ice cream shack in Central Washington. They've been serving customers since 1947!
10. Mount Rainier - The highest mountain in Washington State and also an active volcano! You can camp, hike, bike, or if you want to get a superior view of the land, drive. Since it's the most glaciated peak in Washington, be sure to check conditions before picking your route up the mountain.
11. Gilbert Cellars - clearly a name for superior wine. Located in Yakima, WA, where the wine industry is slightly older than Walla Walla and just as delicious. For all my book nerds out there, Yakima was home to author Beverly Cleary during her formative years!

Portland to Walla Walla

The drive from Portland to Walla Walla is just a simple 3 hours and 45 minutes! A beautiful drive along the stunning Columbia River, you'll pass some of the states most beautiful waterfalls, unique breweries, and fun dining experiences. 

1. Pok Pok - The most amazing Northern Thai restaurant in Portland! Kick off your road trip with their famous spicy fish sauce wings and coconut rice. Be adventurous because you wont find Pad Thai on the menu :) 
2.  Salt & Straw - Portland's HIGHLY recommended ice cream scoop shop- a spot you won't want to miss especially since Kika has never been and NEEDS to know how delicious it really is. 
3. Powell's City of Books - A super duper amazing independent book store recommended by the one and only Kathy Kuehn! 
4. International Rose Test Garden - Located next to the Portland Japanese Garden, The International Rose Test Garden has over 7,000 rose plants of approximately 550 varieties. Nina ROSE Dine would love it if you checked it out for her. 
5. Multnomah Falls - A 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water. There are beautiful trails around the falls that lead to spectacular views of the Columbia Gorge. 
6. Double Mountain Brewery  - At this point in your drive, you'll probably be craving a pizza snack! Located in the city of Hood River, DMB is a great spot to stretch your legs, and kick it with some delicious brick oven pizza, and quality craft beer. 
7. Baldwin Saloon - Along the Columbia River is The Dalles, a city located at the base of Mt. Hood, Oregon's tallest Peak! Grab a bite at Baldwin Saloon where everything is made from scratch and you get to enjoy some unbelievable 19th century bar paintings! 
8. Pendelton Woolen Mill Store - Known for their wool blankets and apparel, Pendelton is located just 50 minutes south of Walla Walla. You can visit their Mill store where everything is made and pick up some wool blankets just in time for summer :) 

California to Walla Walla

It's only a 12 hour drive from SF to Walla Walla so this is surely a leisurely route to take with plenty of stops. There are many breweries to visit, breakfasts to eat, and sites to see that may just convince you to stay in the Pacific Northwest forever!

1. Bartavelle - Before you scoot out of town, stop here for breakfast in Berkeley. We highly recommend the Persian breakfast and trying each of the farm fresh eggs. You won't regret it!
2. Yountville - This tiny town is filled with shops, bakeries, and food!
3. Sierra Nevada Brewery - One of the OGs in California craft beer. Don't drink too many, you're driving remember!
4. Oregon Shakespeare Festival - This festival has been held in Ashland, OR for 81 years and is known as "America's first Elizabethan theatre festival". This would be a good overnight pitstop! 
5. Crater Lake National Park - Home to THE DEEPEST lake in all of America. We've heard that this park is also great for cycling, as are many of the national parks in Oregon. If you're feeling adventurous, we'd recommend checking out all of the hikes and rides the state has to offer.
6. Corvallis, OR - Hometown of Adrian Sanders. If you'd like a recommendation, you can tweet him @sandersak. He loves Oregon and he'll be at the wedding!
7. Portland, OR - A mecca for good food and good living. This is little over halfway between SF and Walla Walla. You could probably spend a few days exploring the city so we'd recommend continuing your journey with the Portland to Walla Walla list found above!