Northwest Experts - Advice Needed
 

Last year we visited Orcas Island and just fell in love with it. This year we are going back and extending our stay to a full week and instead of flying into Seattle and renting a car, we are doing a road trip from So Cal. We plan on taking about 3 days to drive up to Orcas.

My dilemma is on the way back. We want to take about 6 - 7 days to drive back along the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. We would like to take our time and not rush and be able to stop along the way if/when anything grabs our interest. What I'm having difficulty determining is if we have the time to swing around to the Olympic pennisulia or if we should just head for the coast. According to the map I have, it appears the only road circumvents the park and does not cross - is that correct? If so, how much time does that take and how long from Seattle, realistically?

A crazy, hairbrained idea I had, and not sure if it would work: after our time in Orcas is up, how practical might it be to ferry over to Victoria and then ferry over to Port Angeles? Would that cut time? Or is it just too involved, and better to just drive back through Seattle? (We would have our own car and not a rental, if that matters)

The time of year we would be going is the first 2 weeks of June. Any help or suggestions are, as always, welcomed!

The most time efficient way to get from the San Juans to the Olympic Peninsula would be to take the ferry back to Anacortes, and then drive down Whidbey Island to the Keystone ferry, which goes over to Port Townsend. Then head west on 101 from there (and yes, 101 goes around the park, not through it--too many mountains in the way ;-)). If you leave Orcas first thing in the morning, you can be in the Port Angeles area by mid-afternoon, and do the sights like Hurricane Ridge and Lk Crescent. I'd stay in that area that night, then head out to the coast the next day and start south down 101 along. If you've got 6 more days to drive the rest of the way, you shouldn't have any problem taking the slower coastal route. I just drove down to SF and and back along the coast and it was fantastic. If you're interested in reading my blog about the trip, send me an email.

Thanks! I would never have considered the option of Whidbey Island. I will certainly look into that. And, yes, I would like to read your blog, so an email is on the way!

We're also planning a trip along the West Coast this summer, in late July-August, and it's our first time to the area. We want to rent a place for a week or two, and your mention of Orcas Island caught my eye. Can you tell me why you love it, and if it might be suitable for the above?

ANother option would be to continue on the WA State ferry to Sidney, B.C., on Vancouver Island. Spend a day in Victoria, then take the Black Ball Line ferry across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Port Angeles.

As noted above, go up into the Olympic Mtns at Hurricane Ridge, swing down Rte 101 along the coast and the Olympic Rainforest, then continue on down to cross the Columbia River to Astoria, OR.

That was your idea, and it is not hare-brained at all. Actually, it will be kind of fun. Victoria is a great city to visit, and the ferry rides to Sidney and then to P.A. can be spectacular (weather permitting).