Seattle to San Diego

Day 1: Sea-Tac WA to Seattle WA

Pacific Coast Road Trip - Day 1: Sea-Tac WA to Seattle WA

Postcard from Seattle, Washington.

Sea-Tac Airport to Seattle is not exactly a road-trip. More a 17 miles easy morning commute but it was the first 17 miles I drove since last year trip to Key West, hence I count it in.

The inclement weather seems a familiar constant in the first couple of days of these US road-trips. A tornado in 2021. Thunderstorms in 2022. Light rain today. Progress, I say.

Seattle: pine trees, lushly vegetation, majestic clouds, oysters for lunch, a dinner with one of my favorite out of state Chicagoan, the discovery of Fremont, one (two) for the road in an incredible dive bar, lots of coffee to keep me functioning after today’s brutally early morning flight. The reassuring, unmistakable shape of the Space Needle.

And, while sipping (yet another) coffee at KEXP, I keep asking myself how in the early 90s a relatively small city situated in the northwesternmost corner of this country, happened to be the undisputed birthplace of that incredible music scene I grew up with. Go figure.

Note to self: never book a flight departing before 8am. Ever fucking again.


Pacific Coast Road Trip - Day 1: Sea-Tac WA to Seattle WA
Pacific Coast Road Trip: Picking up my car at Sea-Tac WA


Driving from SeaTac to Fremont, Seattle Cheat Sheet

Accommodation in Fremont, Seattle:

  • Marco Polo Motel, 4114 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 Clean, safe and walking distance from the nicest part of Fremont where you can find plenty of bars, restaurants and one of my favorite thing in Seattle: the Fremont Troll

Where to eat and what to see in Fremont, Seattle

  • Fremont TrollNorth 36th Street, Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 One of my favorite street art attraction ever. The Fremont Troll is so big and weird you wanna give him a hug.
  • RockCreek Seafood & Spirits, 4300 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 Great seafood and delicious oysters.
  • Bar House, 503 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103, Very little, welcoming bar with a psychedelic back room and some decent PNW beers on tap
  • Revel, 401 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103 A modern take on Korean restaurant. I’ve been twice, in two different trips to Seattle and it never disappoints.

*I’ve been to Seattle lots of times, mostly for work. One day I’ll write a separate post


Pacific Coast Road Trip - Day 1: Space Needle
Pacific Coast Road Trip – The reassuring unmistakable shape of the Space Needle


Driving from SeaTac to Fremont, Seattle FAQ

How many miles are from SeaTac to Fremont, Seattle?

From Seattle-Tacoma Airport to Fremont, Seattle there are 17 miles.

How long does it take to drive from SeaTac to Fremont, Seattle?

It takes about 30 miles to drive from Seattle-Tacoma Airport to Fremont, Seattle, without traffic.

What type of car is best to rent at SeaTac if you are going to Fremont, Seattle?

A midsize probably is the best choice. The weather in Seattle can change pretty rapidly and unexpectedly and it rains pretty often.

Where are the rental car facilities at Seattle-Tacoma Airport

Rental car companies at SEA Airport operate at a separate rental car facility about 2 miles or an approximate 10 minute bus ride from the main terminal. At time of writing there are free shuttle buses operating 24/7. The pick-up areas are located outside the baggage claim area at the south and north ends of the main terminal.


Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: the Fremont troll in Seattle
Seattle to San Diego Road Trip: the Fremont troll in Seattle


Seattle pictures: other photos taken in Seattle

Pacific Coast road-trip: Seattle
Pacific Coast road-trip: Seattle

Pacific Coast road-trip: walking around Fremont in Seattle
Pacific Coast road-trip: walking around Fremont in Seattle

Pacific Coast road-trip: KEXP
Pacific Coast road-trip: a compulsory stop at KEXP

Pacific Coast road-trip: Bar House
Pacific Coast road-trip: the psychedelic back room at Bar House

Pacific Coast road-trip: oysters in Seattle
The first oysters of my Pacific Coast road-trip at RockCreek Seafood & Spirits in Seattle

My itinerary on a West Coast road trip


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