Day Trip- Best of San Juan Islands

Makenzie

Guest

« on: May 15, 2009, 10:42:43 PM »

Hello!
My boyfriend and I will be visiting friends on Whidbey Island next weekend. This will be my boyfriends first time to the Islands and I was hoping we could explore at least on other island on a two day, one night mini trip. Any recommendations on which island to visit and ideas for activites? We both really enjoy the outdoors as well as great dining and good beer! I would really like to show him how beautiful this state can be when its not raining! Any ideas would be great! Thank you so much!!


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Ron Kinner

Guest

Re: Day Trip- Best of San Juan Islands

« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2009, 06:27:16 AM »

A lot depends on your budget and whether you will have a car or not.

The ferry ride itself is worth the trip.

I'm a fan of Orcas island myself. You can't beat the view from the top of Mt. Constitution and there are lots of hikes to lakes and waterfalls. The food at Ship's Bay is about the best there is. Kayaking and whale watching are available.

San Juan Island has the two camps from the Pig War and Lime Kiln Park where you may be able to see the Orcas. The whale museum is also very good. I have heard the ale house at the top of the street where you get off the ferry is very good. Wes will probably have a lot of other suggestions since he lives there.

If you pay to go to Friday Harbor, you can stop on Orcas for free on your way back so you can do both for the same price. Overnights tend to be a bit cheaper on Orcas but I understand they are having sales now so it's not a hard and fast rule. One of the better deals on Orcas is the Blackberry Beach Waterfront Cabin in Olga. Beautiful view and very quiet. If the budget is tight then their Garden Cottage is worth looking into. It's older and doesn't have the view but clean and comfortable. (It's where I stay most times - we are moving there in July and plan to build up on Buck Mountain.) You would need a car tho.

Ron


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Wesley

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Posts: 5316

Re: Day Trip- Best of San Juan Islands

« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2009, 11:01:27 AM »

I agree with Ron... the ferry ride is worth the trip and you really can't go wrong as long as you don't go to Shaw Island.

Both islands have plenty of unique restaurants with Northwest beers on tap. My personal favorite is Downriggers downtown Friday harbor. The chicken Gorgonzola salad is spectacular and so is the "too good to be true" which is clam chowder served in a sourdough bun next to a killer Caesar salad.

Renting bikes or kayaks can be done on both islands... Orcas Island has bike rental right at the ferry landing as does Friday harbor ( San Juan Island ).

I wouldn't bother trying to visit both islands... just visit one and visit it well.

Friday harbor and Roche Harbor usually have live music almost every weekend. Great beer goes good with live music!

There are some cheaper places to stay in the islands if you are on a budget... here is a link to a few of them : budget places to stay in the San Juan Islands

If you'd rather pamper yourselves checkout this list of hotels in the islands .

There are heaps of great places to picnic on both islands and enjoy romantic sunsets... there are grocery stores in Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, and Eastsound. Or you can shop at Safeway in Anacortes before catching the ferry.

Try to arrive at least 45 minutes early for the ferry you want to catch.


« Last Edit: August 25, 2009, 08:45:05 AM by Wesley »	Logged

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