A day trip to Lilliwaup has been on my bucket list since we arrived in Port Orchard. We decided to avoid the crowds and set off on a Wednesday. The drive from Belfair to Union is one of my most favorite drives. If they ever have a home tour along the 106 I’ll be the first in line.

From Port Orchard to Lilliwaup it’s approximately 1 1/2 hours. We took SR-3 to Belfair, then E SR-106 through Union and finally the US-101 up to Lilliwaup. It is a spectacular drive with lots of fun stops along the way.

Belfair | 20-minutes, SR-3

Our first stop was White Barn Home & Garden. I found 2 beautiful plants to add to my garden and a birthday gift for a friend. They have such unique items. I never pass on a chance to stop at this favorite store.

We stopped at RNJ Smoked Meats on our way to pick up some lunch snacks. The Texas Twinkies, a smoked jalapeno stuffed with cream cheese and brisket wrapped in bacon, are about the most amazing thing we’ve ever stuffed in our mouths. We ordered the brisket tacos and they were fabulous. You will smell RNJ before you see it and we highly recommend you stop.

Allyn | 10 minutes past Belfair, SR-3

Although Allyn isn’t exactly on the direct route to Lilliwaup our favorite shellfish farmer is in Allyn so it’s worth the slight detour. Tom Farmer Oyster Co. has the most delicious small oysters and butter clams. If you can’t catch him at the Port Orchard Farmers Market a trip to Allyn is totally worth it. We love to BBQ our oysters and top them with fresh pesto and spicy chili butter.

Twanoh State Park | 20 minutes from Belfair. SR-3

Twanoh State Park is a lovely place to stop and stretch your legs. Take stroll down the beach and walk the dock. Watch spider crabs pick fights near the pilings. Lots of picnic tables to enjoy a lunch and watch the action on the canal. If you are interested in oyster gathering make sure you bring your pail and license. There were plenty on the beach for gathering. Twanoh became a state park in 1923 and it feels like an old-time campground. They have horseshoe pits, badminton, volleyball, overnight camping and the water waters for the Hood Canal for all kinds of water activity.

Union | 15 minutes, SR-3

There’s plenty to do and see in Union, WA. Our first stop was at Alderbrook Resort & Spa. What an absolutely lovely getaway! I could have stayed for a month. The grounds are gorgeous and staff was very friendly. We enjoyed cocktails on the big lawn overlooking the canal with the Olympic Mountains in the background. Stunning!

Because we traveled during a pandemic and on a Wednesday a few of the stops we looked forward to seeing were closed. Downtown Union has some very cool places to check out. The Union City Market has special hours so check their website if you want to stop. We did get a fun souvenir from the Union Country Store before heading on to Hoodsport. We did a drive-by through Robinhood Village Resort and as soon as life returns to normal we will be heading out to this Hood Canal gem for live music and an overnight.

Hoodsport | 25 minutes, US-101

What a darling seaside town and the scenery can’t be beat! Neither can the ice cream. You must stop for a scoop (or two) of Olympic Mountain Ice Cream. Steve had a blackberry cheesecake and exclaimed that it was “the best ice cream ever”.

We also stopped that The Hardware Distillery. This craft distillery uses all Washington ingredients to make their delicious spirits. We did a little sidewalk tasting and brought home a pear vodka that is delicious for summer beverages. We enjoyed an excellent meal of bacon wrapped shrimp and a margarita at El Puerto de Angeles (24080 US-101, Hoodsport, WA 98548). We ate on the dock and the food and ambiance were perfect.

Hoodsport is also the gateway to the Olympic National Forest. I’ve done 2 hikes in the area, Big Creek Campground and Mt. Ellinor. Both were challenging and breathtaking.

Lilliwaup | 25 minutes, HWY-101

On our way to Lilliwaup we stopped at Hama Hama which is a 5th generation family run oyster and tree farm. Unfortunately we did not get to see this unique location in its prime (pandemic). When things return to normal we plan to return and enjoy oysters and a cold beer at one of the water-view picnic tables.

Another great find is the Eagle Creek Saloon. With a giant cheeseburger on the roof, you know this is going to be awesome. We sat outside, under the cheeseburger, and enjoyed a frosty cold beer and fried clams. They are known for their cheeseburgers so we will definitely be heading back to enjoy one.

Our final stop on the road trip was to check out Mike’s Beach Resort, located on the shores of the Hood Canal. We are planning an anniversary trip here later in the month so we wanted to see it first hand. What a delightful location. We will be updating the blog after we stay but look at these waterfront cabins!

Great resources for planning your trip up the Hood Canal.

Visit Kitsap: https://www.visitkitsap.com/visitor-services

Explore Hood Canal: https://www.explorehoodcanal.com/

Olympic National Park: https://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm

If you head out on a road trip let us know of any new discoveries. We feel so grateful to live in such an absolutely stunning area.

Steve and Tracy are residents of Port Orchard and are passionate about All Things Home. We wholeheartedly believe in supporting local business and building community. We feature products and businesses we personally use and do not receive compensation. If you know of a locally owned products or services that should be featured send us an email at homes@steveandtracy.net.

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