Gina2003

I will be staying in Seattle and want to do a day trip to San Juan Islands. I've been looking into ferries from Seattle and Anacortes. Schedules and costs are probably similar as we'd rent a car for the day if leaving from Anacortes. Figuring 6-7 hours @ Friday Harbor Any advice? Thanks.

happytrailstoyou

We like to walk on the ferry at Anacortes and go to Friday Harbor. San Juan Island is a most welcoming place because it has bus service to points of interest: http://www.sanjuantransit.com/

Here is a description of such a trip we made in 2010:

"On Tuesday, August 17, we parked our car at the Anacortes Ferry terminal ($10) and went to Friday Harbor as foot passengers on the ferry ($12.15 each, round trip).

We walked around Friday Harbor and had a good lunch on the deck of the Downrigger, overlooking the harbor ($40).

After lunch we took the bus to Roche Harbor ($10 each, round trip).

The trip to Roche Harbor included an excellent narration about the island and drop-off points on the route such as a lavender farm and the Limekiln Whale Watch Park.

Roche Harbor is a delightful up-scale resort with two restaurants and a huge yacht harbor. We enjoyed the historic buildings, the gardens, and the yachts. We bought ice cream at a kiosk and ate it at an outside table with harbor view ($7).

We took the direct bus back to Friday Harbor, purchased food at King’s Market on Spring Street ($18), and enjoyed a delicious picnic on the evening ferry back to Anacortes.

It was a delightful day—hassle free and inexpensive (about $120 for the two of us)."

HTTY

Gardyloo

The car + Anacortes ferry is probably a few bucks cheaper all in (depends on what car you pick, also if you're parking overnight coming or going.) It would certainly give you more flexibility in timing your arrival/departure from the islands. Be sure to rent from a downtown location rather than the airport if at all possible (much cheaper.)

Allow 90-120 min. to get from Seattle to the Anacortes terminal parking area. If possible, return via the Deception Pass bridge and Mukilteo ferry - very scenic.