Lorenz

Thanks to respondents on October weather. I'm convinced. Now, please list the best islands in the sound to visit. I'll probably
utilize 3 days of my trip to visit the San Juan islands. Which one is best to stay on & what would be the best things to see ?
I enjoy nature, FOOD, photography. Thanks

Mike

The best Island is Manhattan.
Everything you could ever want or need is available 24/7

Lorenz

Everything ?? lets see killer whales in the Sound vs New York killer muggers & cops, the majestic mountain ranges surrounding the Sound or the views obstructed in NY from the smog. Well I could go on and on, but I'll end with the nice , friendly repuation of the people living in the Sound vs the reputation of New Yorkers which you just enhanced with your smart *** answer.

ccc

I like Charles Island. You do mean Long Island Sound, right?

K

Lorenze, Lopez is called the "friendly island". It is the smallest of the 3 larger islands and the flatest island. Many people like to bike it for that reason. If you choose to stay on Lopez I
can recommend a good site for rentals-lopezisproperties.com/main.php?navarea
It is one I have used a number of times.
Orcas is the largest(not much larger than San Juan) and it is very picturesque. It is the one most frequented by tourist and therefor you may wait a bit longer for a ferry, but it is a must see in my book. If you stay on one of the other islands you can drive on and off the interisland ferry and have no waiting (for any of the islands)
San Juan Is. has the largest population of all the islands and has the largest town. You can actually walk off the ferry into town, something that you really can't do at either of the islands.
You will be able to take a lot of beautiful pics. and the scenery in the SJ Isl. is beautiful.
Orcas, if our gorgeous weather holds out into Oct., I recommend going up to the top of Mt. Constitution as the view is spectacular-on a clear day. You can see for miles. I also recommend just driving around the islands, especially Orcas and Lopez. There are many small villages on Orcas that are neat and fun and fun to see i.e. Deer Harbor and on Lopez there is Agate Beach that is a park and you can walk the beach as it is public. I can recommend The Bay Cafe in Lopez Village.

S.J.-There is Roche Harbor which is historic and the dinner restaurant I can recommend. Also Enlish Camp (even tho I have never walked to it) you might enjoy.
Let me know if I can help with anything else.

Lorenz

Thanks K. Your response is the the type of detail I was looking for. I am looking for the best scenic spots to enjoy the views of that area. I'll be
in Washington for 10 days, 3 probably in Seattle & 7 exploring the surronding
countryside. I am trying to determine how many days & what for the sound , then which 1 or 2 other areas to concentrate on, Ranier, Olympic Forest area, Pacific coast ?? Even just explore one region for the 7 days & see the others in the future. Any thoughts? Thanks

hans

I'd go back to Orcas in a heart beat and stay at the Spring Bay Inn.

K

Lorenze-I still favour the S.J. Islands. I didn't mention they are in the "Banana Belt" so the weather is generally better there.
I had company that went to the Hoh rain forest on the Olympic peninsula this summer and also Hurricane Ridge and loved both. Hurricane R. is up near Port Angeles.
Of course Mt. Rainier is gorgeous. We love seeing it whenever the weather permits, from all over the Puget Sound area.
My company raved about Mt.St. Helen (viewing the destruction etc.).
We happen to be water people so we love to view the water where ever we travel (whenever possible).
If you go over to the rain forest it will take you a day to do it as well as the two Mtns. a day for ea. unless you want a long day to fit them both in.
Please let me know if I can help further.

Pippi

If you like nature and photography as you say then you will like places like
on San Juan island: American Camp and British Camp (both part of the smae National Historic Park but far apart in distance). Limekiln state park where the Orcas and Dall porpoises frequent and it has a scenic lighthouse. On Orcas there is Moran state park but it's not anywhere near as beautiful.
Lopez has some small parks on the waterfront (Orcas has little waterfront public land).

Michele

I'm not an expert on the San Juans but I can suggest an itinerary for your 7 days outside of Seattle ... Day 1: Drive to Anacortes and ferry (www.wsdot.wa.gov) to the San Juan Island of your choice. Day 2: One of the 'Juans. Day 3: Ferry to Sidney, BC ... stop at Buchart Gardens (if you like that sort of thing) on your way into Victoria. Day 4: Ferry to Port Angeles (avoid the busiest US-bound days which are Thursdays and Sundays). Make PA your base for some exploring of the northern end of the Olympics. Day 5: Drive on Hwy 101 to Kalaloch or Lake Quinault or Copalis Beach for a look at the Pacific. Day 6: Hwy 101 to 12 to Olympia, and on to Mount Rainier. Day 7: Another night at Mount Rainier, or back to Seattle. Just a couple of thoughts ...

Kameha

I would go to the Canadian Gulf Islands. They are beautiful, less crowded and much more affordable!