Hi all,

Trying to pick a place to stay on Orcas Island. But I can't figure out how much time it takes to drive from one place to another on the island. Just unsure whether I need to be concerned that I may pick a place that is too far from restaurants, etc...

Thanks.

Most of the restaurants are in East Sound, which is really the only town on the island. There are scattered restaurants at other locations, like at Rosario Resort and Deer Harbor. I think you should ask at the places you are thinking about re the distances. The development is all to the south of the island. I think it might take awhile to get there if you found some place to stay on the north side.

Actually, Eastsound is close to the north side of the island, and it's smak dab in the middle (in terms of east-west). Just ask the hotel owners how far it is, or mapquest it-the island isn't THAT big, so I wouldn't worry about it.
http://www.orcasisland.net/map.htm

I should add that though Eastsound does have the most restaurants, there are a few spread out, like the other poster said, so if you really did pick a place at the furthest possible point from Eastsound, you'd still probably have closer options (at the town of Olga or near the ferry dock, for example).

Since the eastsound has the most restaurants and if you are worried about being too far, I would pick a place in the eastound. Several I know about are:
Kangaroo House - B&B (has excellent reviews)
Outlook Inn - Hotel/Suite Style Rooms
Eastsound Landmark Inn - Condo Rentals

The innkeeper at the Kangaroo House is my husband's aunt. We haven't been to Orcas Island before, but we are seriously considering going here for a couple of nights before we stay in Vancouver this summer. The reviews are wonderful on Tripadvisor for the Kangaroo House. It sounds like a great place to stay. ***kim***

Don't miss the wonderful breakfast at the Olga General Store restaurant.

sgorces:
I am going to Orcas Island this summer. Would you mind telling me where Olga General Store restaurant is located? what street? I would appreciate it!

It's in the little "town" (there's only a handful of buildings there, you can't miss it) of Olga-pull up a map of Orcas, look at the pointy south end on the east half of the island-there's Olga.

christy1: Yes, I see the southern point in Olga on my map. I am sure I will find it. Thanks!

I assume by "Olga General Store Restaurant" the poster means "Olga's," formerly located in that General Store. To my knowledge, that restaurant has closed.

I just checked the website and you're right, they've closed. Other good picks on Orcas are Rose's, the Ship Bay Inn, Christina's, and Bilbo's Mexican.

Christy1: Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. I wrote them down. THANKS!

The restaurant known as "Olga's," formerly in the General Store in Olga, has re-opened for brunch in Eastsound, in the space formerly occupied by Café Jama.

We have stayed at the Orcas Hotel and LOVED IT. The dinner in their restaurant was very good, and we loved watching the sunset and the ferries coming and going. As a matter of fact, we are going back to the O.Hotel in a few weeks. The drive on the island to Mt. Constitution was lovely, as was driving around the rest of the island. You'll love your trip!