topeater

2 60 year old women going to Washington the first part of August. We arrive around 2pm in Seattle on a Wednesday and our flight home leaves Monday around 3pm. This first thing we are planning to do is drive to Bellingham for a couple of days. My husband and I will be moving there next year and I want to show her around.

After 2 nights there, we want to visit the San Juan Islands. We want to do some hiking, be in nature, eat well and drink and have long conversations. Please provide some suggestions! It's been 30 years since I've been to the San Juans and then I camped out at Doe Bay on Orcas Island. Not into camping these days!

We will have a car, so I assume we would need to make advanced ferry reservations, right?

Thanks for any help. Wish we had more time, but at least it's a few days.

Kathie

So if your flight gets into Seattle at 2 pm, you would want to drive to Bellingham immediately. You will run into traffic, but should be able to get to Bellingham about 5:30 or 6 if your flight is on time. You can spend that evening and the next day (Thursday) in Bellingham, but you will want to leave fairly early Friday morning for Anacortes to catch the ferry. You will want to stay on either Orcas or San Juan (Friday Harbor). You will need to make ferry reservations as soon as you can, as you will be going at very busy times - a Friday to get to the island and a Monday to get off the island. You may want to make your decision based on lodging availability. Give yourself plenty of time to get back to Seattle.

Enjoy your glimpse of the Pacific NW!

topeater

Thanks for the info Kathie. I've done the Bellingham drive several times and I'm just grateful we are not coming in on a Friday at 2 pm!!! We will definitely be leaving immediately, except I have to get a fish sandwich at Ivan's before hitting the road!

Do you have any lodging recommendations on either island?

happytrailstoyou

As a child, I went to camp on Orcas Island. It is still a wonderful place, and the Chamber of Commerce publishes an excellent brochure about the island and its services: https://issuu.com/orcaschamber/docs/..._guide_for_web

HTtY

Kathie

On Orcas Island, take a look at Rosario Resort. It has been years since i last stayed there, but it's reputation remains good both for lodging and for its' restaurant. There are other restaurants a short drive away.

It has been WAY too many years since last stayed at Friday Harbor. Get on booking.com and look at your options.

We go to the San Juan's frequently, as my mother still lives on one of the islands, but because we have a family cabin there, I never go to the other islands. Maybe someone else can make a recommendation.

Patty

We stayed here http://northbeachinn.com/ last October and loved the place. We liked the food, hikes and feel of Orcas better but San Juan Island was enjoyable as well.

topeater

Thanks for the suggestions. We are going to Orcas first and staying at Deer Harbor Cottages for 3 nights and then traveling to Bellingham for 2 nights, staying at the Village Inn. We plan to do some hiking at Moran and Mount Constitution.

Last year, I asked on this forum about neighborhoods in Seattle and other places we might look at in Washington to settle when we retire next year. I got many great suggestions and directions to go. The exciting news is we have bid on a house to buy in Bellingham and the seller accepted. So, now will I not only be going to Washington with my friend on August 2nd, I will be going ahead of her with my husband to sign the closing papers on July 28th! We are planning on spending 6 days in the area. We are staying 3 days in Bellingham and then on Sunday & Monday, we are staying at The Nettles Farms on Lummi Island.

Any thought about what to do on Lummi except relax and read?

I have to take my husband to the airport for a noon flight on Wednesday and pick my friend up that same day at 11am. Good timing, right? I can't decide if we should go back to Bellingham for our last day/night or do something else. I dislike staying at airport hotels. Any ideas for close by?

suze

Are you asking about the airport in Bellingham? Or going down to SeaTac?

tomfuller

Depending on where you are coming from, Allegiant Air flies to Bellingham from Oakland, LAX, San Diego, Palm Springs, Las Vegas and Phoenix/Mesa. allegiantair.com
Good luck on your new adventure.
If you have your passports, consider a short trip up to Vancouver BC.

topeater

Sea-Tac. Sorry I wasn't clear.

suze

Cedarbrook Lodge is down that way and definitely not an "airport hotel".
http://www.cedarbrooklodge.com/

Do you have a reason for driving all the way back up to Bellingham with your friend for that one night? Are you both leaving out of SeaTac the following day? If yes, then I'd suggest staying in Seattle.

Kathie

Congrats to you on your upcoming move to Bellingham!

topeater

Sorry suze, I wasn't clear. After my husband and I have our 2 nights on Lummi, we have 1 night left before we have to be at Sea-Tac the next day for his 12:15pm flight. I couldn't decide if we should spend the last night in Bellingham or closer to the airport. I'll check out Cedarbrook Lodge.

topeater

Just checked out Cedarbrook Lodge. Looks perfect plus it has a shuttle! Thanks for the suggestion.

suze

You're welcome! I've never stayed there (I live in Seattle) but have seen it often recommended when people are looking for something in that area but nicer than the airport hotels.