OK, so if we are driving from Whistler to Anacortes for a stop and a 4 PM whale watch, is there a nice place in Anacortes or nearby for a late lunch? I'm picturing waterfront dining. As I recall Anacortes isn't too scenic, but we'll have some time to kill, and presumably we'll have had a nice breakfast/brunch before leaving Whistler, and won't be having dinner until about 11 PM once we get to Seattle after the whalewatch.

Sasso's probably fits your requirements best. Randy's Pier 61 and the Rockfish Grill also serve lunch and have water views.

Thanks, happytrails, but I see Sasso's is closed for lunch on Saturday (our day). I looked at the website for Randy's Pier 61 and it seems just right -- and open from 11 to 4 for lunch!

You might consider the Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive aka Highway 11. A beautiful but curvy route from Bellingham to Burlington. You don't have to eat Oysters, but you are required to drink in the view of the San Juan Islands. The food is very respectable and the location is devine. http://www.theoysterbaronchuckanutdrive.com/menu.shtml

Oh, sgorces, my mouth is watering just reading the menu. This sounds like a really great idea if the timing works out, and the drive sounds wonderful as well -- a lot more scenic that I-5 for that stretch.

Another option to Anacortes is the charming nearby town of La Conner, which has several restaurants and many interesting shops.