Ideas re. San Juan Isl./Vancouver Isl. trip
 

Here’s my possible itinerary for August:<BR><BR>Days 1&2 :Arrive at 11 am. Rent car and travel to Anacortes ferry.Stay on San Juan Isl. for two nights. Thinking of Tower House B&B,Longhouse B&B (has anyone stayed there?) .Or two nights on Orcas. Or even one night on each. Your help here would be appreciated.<BR><BR>Day 3: Victoria. Stay at a B&B there or at Sooke.<BR><BR>Days 4&5: Stay with friends in Parksville and hit that area ,plus Tofino.<BR>Day 6 (Sun): Travel back to Victoria and ferry to Port Angeles. Stay at a B&B (recommendations?)in Port Townsend area.<BR><BR>Day 7: “Play” around Olympic Ntl. Forest and either stay at same B&B or travel closer to Seattle for flight back the next morning. (Can still change my flight and add one more night).<BR>Any ideas,recommendations,thoughts,etc are appreciated. <BR>

just two thangs on olympic - definitely check out the rainforest on the west side, only one in the pacific nw, and there is a developed hot spring in the center of the park, definitely worth a visit and soak, especially if it's not too crowded :)

Hopefully you already know that you'll need to book ahead for international sailings on the Washington ferry.<BR><BR>You'll also need to leave Parksville as early as possible in order to get in line for the Coho in Victoria. The ferry frequently sells out in August and the sailings are hours apart.

I understand that I can't get a reservation to the San Juan Islands,only to Canada. I will reserve from the Island to Sidney.<BR>The trip on the Coho does concern me. I understand that they take no reservations,but that you can leave your car and walk around Victoria.<BR>The Sunday departure might be tough.

Just a tip on Orcas vs. San Juan - Orcas is still somewhat less developed and in my opinion has more natural beauty, but San Juan has more choices. The Rosario Resort on Orcas Island is beautiful.<BR><BR>I'd also recommend James House in Port Townsend. Lovely old B&B in a former ship captain's home perched high on a hill overlooking the village. Very pretty!

Any thoughts on the Sunday ferry from Victoria?

Bump

can't help with the ferry info but did want to second the recommendation for The James House in Port Townsend, Also the F.W. Hastings House, Ravenscroft too. Make your reservations ASAP for all lodging, summers are BOOKED!<BR>

Topping

The August issue of Sunset Magazine has an article on visiting the San Juan Islands.