Hi everyone.

I'm taking a trip to orcas island for 2 nights/3days in August and would appreciate all the advice I could get on what to see and do, dining recommendations and lodging.

If my budget is $200/night on lodging, what would you recommend for the most romantic with the most beautiful water view? I've surfed the websites and read all the books, but I'm interested in hearing first hand from those who have been to the island. Has anyone been to cascade harbor inn, spring bay inn, northshore coattage, cabins on the pt, or the double mountain B and B?

Lastly, any recommendations on how to avoid the long ferry lines I've read about? I was going to bring a car.

thank you for your help! -anne

Hi Anne:

We loved the Cascade Harbor Inn for its location, well equipped units with fireplaces, and for the lovely view, but most of all for the deer that came to the deck every morning . We were there in shoulder season, when the rates and the ferry lines are at their best. August is a whole other issue, though. Orcas Island is awsome, and it does get crowded in peak season.

Rosario has a fabulous buffet, and the oyster sampler at the little grey cottage restaurant nearby are not to be missed. There is also an upscale restaurant right in town at bayfront; very well done contemporary comfort food with lovely regional ingredients.

Be sure to kayak and spot for eagles.

You will need your car for Orcas as the ferry landing is quite far from anything else....the town of Eastsound is at least 20 minutes drive away and Moran State Park for all the hiking and good view at the top of Mt Constitution is way beyond Eastsound. Rosario's is better Eastsound and Moran Park. Forget about that recommendation to Christina's (the "upscale" place mentioned in town in the other person's post). The food is dreadful and very expensive to boot. And the waiter we had was also curt, hardly ever around and didn't even notice that we hardly touched our entrees as the food was literally uneatable. The worst restuarant experince I've *ever* had in Washington. Ship Harbor Inn better for food and it's not far outside of the town. As for the ferry.......get in the line at least 1 hour before midweek and on weekends 2 hours. Bring a picnic or a book. Sit and read, talk to people, walk on the beach there or eat some food and look at Mt Baker in the distance. The wait isn't so bad with all that to do

Sorry for the typo...it's Rosario's is BEYOND Eastsound not better.

thanks for the replies so far. I've narrowed the lodging choices to spring bay inn vs. cascade harbor inn. Besides hiking moran park and kayaking, does anyone have any recommendations on things to see/do?
thanks,
anne

anne-you can make a reservation with the ferry system last i heard. So you might give them a call. 1-888-808-7977, i just looked it up in the phone book and it said for information and reservations. good luck

"you can make a reservation with the ferry system last i heard" OH YEAH? Call 'em and listen to them laugh and laugh.......why not ask if the islands are open year round too while you're at it.

some people need to do some research before they post smart ass messages. Yes you can make a reservation from anacortes to sydney B.C. They have in the works to start letting reservations to be made between the islands but it might not be in effect this year.

Well, Christina's must have gone down since we were there. We had a very nice experience.

Did you find the Cascade Harbor web site? It shows the units and the view quite well.

Wish we could go back soon!

Is the ferry the only way to Orcas Island? Is there a train or roadway?

Hey Lin, ferry means there's WATER involved. How on earth could there be a train or roadway?

So what if the person asking the question wants to go to Orcas island in the USA? The important thing is you can make a reservation to go to Sydney British columbia Canada. So Anne, you should go there. Maybe you can see a quick view of Orcas as the ferry with the reservations goes by there (if it does). The important thing is the reservation. Washington ferries take reservations for Canada and they hold those reservations.

Look at Spring Bay Inn for a great B&B. Best meal we had was at Sean Pauls; very small and need reservations.

Swimm,

In the case of Orcas Island, you're right--there's no train or roadway.

But Whidbey Island, another island in Puget Sound, can be reached via ferry on the south end or west side, or via a bridge on the north end. So asking whether there are alternative ways to reach an island is not as unreasonable as you make it out to be.

Have you made a decision yet? Noticed your posting was made way back in January. If you have not, feel free to email me directly (or post here), as we have been to Orcas numerous times. We absolutely love the San Juan Islands! Try to go annually, despite not even living in Washington state.

We have stayed at both places you were considering, so I can provide more feedback, if you'd like, as to the differences between them. Both are nice for different experiences. Depends on what your preferences/needs are.

As far as other ideas...defnitely allow enough time for at least one full day in Moran Park...nice if you'd have two half days even there.

Restaurants, too, I can provide feedback on. Have also eaten at most mentioned here.

Kayaking - definitely! Never tried it until Orcas Island. Now, we try to each time we return, it's so pleasant to do there & the water so smooth.

Well, rather than write more here, will wait to find out if you even need any more guidance. Good luck w/your trip planning.