A few (ok, perhaps more than a few) questions plague me regarding my upcoming trip. Any help you all can offer would be appreciated! This board is full of wonderful people, so I'm sure I'll get some great info. Anyway... we're (my husband and I) headed for Seattle, Vancouver, the San Juan Islands, and Victoria. We're also planning a day trip to Mt. Rainier. We'd love to do more, but we have only about 9 days. We have a 50% discount at a lot of hotels with our frequent flier miles, but very few will actually take it. So, if anyone has recommendations for lodging, we'd appreciate it. In the San Juan Islands, we'd like to stay either on San Juan Island or Orcas, and we'd prefer bed and breakfasts. In the cities, we'd like nice (but not luxurious and overly expensive) hotels conveniently located. Also, any recommendations (or warnings!) on things to do or restaurants would be appreciated.
Now, here's the hard question: Is there any way we can do all of this without renting a car (except perhaps when we're in the San Juan Islands)? We will be there at the end of September, and I know the Clipper doesn't go to the Islands after the 10th. Can we go from Seattle to Victoria and then find a way from Victoria to the islands? I know there is an Amtrak that goes from Vancouver to Seattle. (we're flying in and out of Seattle, so the trip must start and end there.) Please let me know if you have any insight or information that might be helpful.
Also -- in terms of recommending any activities/sights, we enjoy a mix of things, such as hiking, biking, museums, sightseeing, music, cultural events, etc., and are in our mid-twenties.
Thank you very much!

Hi Elise, I really think you'll want to have a car, except perhaps for your time in Seattle (but you'd need it for your day trip to Mt. Rainier). Having a car gives you SO much more flexibility on what you can see and do (for instance, take a drive up the Sea to Sky Highway near Vancouver--spectacular, or explore the backroads of Orcas Island).

As you're discovering, September is a very popular time of year to visit, so hotel rates are still generally at summer levels. You might try the Inn at the Market (but not the city view rooms), or the Hotel Monaco. Both are centrally located and nice but not top of the line expensive (in the $175-200 range). If that's still too expensive, try the Claremont, the Mayflower Park or the Paramount.

In the islands, my top choice would be the absolutely fabulous Spring Bay Inn on Orcas Island. If they are full (and they usually are!), Turtleback Farm or the Anchorage Inn would be my next choices. Orcas is my favorite island, although San Juan is certainly lovely too.

In Victoria, I really like the newish Magnolia Hotel (although there are lots of good B&Bs there too, Abigails, for instance), and in Vancouver, my favorite hotel is the Sutton Place, but there are lots of good choices there too. The English Bay Inn is a wonderful B&B conveniently located between downtown and Stanley Park. Perhaps you could re-post once you've narrowed down your choices?

We stayed at the Inn at the Market in a city view room and while they are quite noisy and have less than perfect airconditioning units, they might bring the price down to what you want, especially if you can get a corporate rate (just remember the earplugs and hope for cool weather). Also saw the Alexis Hotel which looked nice and in the same area. Great location at the Market---you can walk or take public transportation to lots of places. We didn't have a car in Seattle and didn't want one. I think we were going to stay at the Abigail Inn in Victoria, but the Clipper didn't make it that day so we ended up back in Seattle. Restaurants we liked were Etta's Seafood, Painted Table, Kells Pub, and though we didn't get to eat there we liked the menu posted at Wild Ginger and felt that we would probably like the food. Did NOT like Il Bistro at all--nondescript food and sloppy, uncaring service. We also thoroughly enjoyed a clam chowder/oyster lunch at Ivar's Acres of Clams on the Waterfront, although it is a touristy place and we wouldn't have wanted dinner there.There were also some great old places in the Market for breakfast--go wander and you'll find them. The names escape me right now. You can make advanced reservations online at savvydiner.com. Sorry I can't help with the rest of your trip as we didn't get that far, but a native recommended the Rosario Resort, taking a float plane in and we want to do that the next time. Of our 4 1/2 days in mid June, only one was misty/foggy/rainy. It's a really nice city. Go to the Space Needle on a pretty day--it's just been renovated and is far from ticky tacky touristy--go early and take the Monorail from downtown. Beautiful views of Rainier on a good day. Nine days seems just about right for your itinerary. Enjoy.

Unfortunately, Seattle and environs is pretty "stone age" when it comes to any form of rapid transit. A car is almost a necessity...otherwise you will spend lots of time waiting for trains and busses. You can get to victoria and spend a few days, can ferry to Vancourver, but once there, again, it is time consuming to get around. If you are the out door type, you can go to one of the islands from the waterfront and bike around (many do). Most hotels will help you with day excursions...but a car would be nicer.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions! You are all a wealth of information. I'll be printing out your responses. We have decided to rent a car, partly because we found a better deal through our corporate travel agency. We've also decided not to do Victoria this time around -- I really want to see it sometime, but I think it'll help give us more time elsewhere. (It also breaks my heart not to do the Olympic Peninsula, but I have to realize that we can't do everything in one trip!) We're arriving in Seattle in the evening on a Saturday night, so I think we'll stay near the airport that night to save money. Then we'll get up on Sunday and do a day trip to Mt. Rainier. From there, we'll drive up to Anacortes and spend the night, then take the ferry to the San Juan Islands on Monday morning. We're leaning toward staying on Orcas Island. We'll stay in the Islands Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, then we'll take the ferry back to Anacortes and drive up to Vancouver from there. We'll spend a day or two up there, then drive back to Seattle where we'll spend the remainder of our trip (we fly home on a Monday morning). Anyone have any thoughts on this itinerary? Is it doable, and does the "order" of things make sense? Thanks again for all your help!

A couple of thoughts and opinions on your proposed itinerary: 1. Driving from Sea-Tac area to Mt. Rainier and then to Anacortes could involve about 8 hours of driving, not including any stopping for sightseeing.(Based on assumption that you drive to Paradise area of Mt. R.)In my opinion Mt. Rainier is worth a lot more time than that would allow. The real beauty of the mountain is to walk. There are lots of spectacular hikes where you can see mind-boggling view of the mountain, glaciers, waterfalls, old growth forests. I would spend several days walking in Mt. Rainier (staying at one of the lodges in the park or nearby) as opposed to several days in the San Juans, if you must choose. The islands are nice, but Mt. Rainier is like no other place. If you are driving to Vancouver you can get a good view of the San Juan type of scenery by taking the road known as Chuckanut Drive (Hwy 11) south of Bellingham. Then maybe on the next trip spend several days on the islands. (Having said that, if the weather is rainy when you are here, then almost certainly Mr. Rainier will be the coldest wettest place and the San Juans less so.) 2. Vancouver and Seattle are very different, even though about the same size and in the same part of the continent. Vancouver has lots of interesting pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Lots more street activity than Seattle. Seattle's best features are a little less obvious. Given your stated interests I would recommend you not miss the Seattle Symphony in the new symphony hall and also take in one or more of Seattle's theaters. There is an interesting show of 20th Century American Art at the Sea. Art Museum right now and through this fall.Also recommend the Henry Gallery on the U. Washington campus. 3. See some of the sights of Seattle by bicycle (there is a rental shop downtown that has bikes and lots of suggestions of places to ride) and by canoe or kayak (rental places on Lake Union or at Univ. Washington) 4. You probably already thought of this, but if you can save money on car rental and parking by "turning in" your car when you return to Seattle from Vancouver public transportation in Seattle is adequate.

I agree with the previous post that trying to go from Seatac to Mt. Rainier to Anacortes in one day is too much, especially since you enjoy hiking. Why not at least spend the night at Mt. Rainier, then go up to Anacortes and take the ferry the next day? That will give you time to do at least one good hike at Mt. Rainier. If you have time, check out the Grove of the Patriarchs, beyond Paradise...there are some of the most amazing ancient cedar trees on that trail.

I'm not sure I would agree with Mt. Rainier *instead* of the San Juans, however. Don't get me wrong, I love hiking at Mt. Rainier, but there's something about the San Juans that I personally find to be more "uniquely Northwest" than Mt. Rainier, wonderful as it is.

Driving Chuckanut Drive on the way from the islands to Vancouver is a *great* suggestion. You'll end up in the Fairhaven area of Bellingham, which is fun to walk around, before getting on I-5 north.

One theater event in Seattle you may want to get tickets for *now* (they just went on sale) is a reprise of Lily Tomlin's one-woman show, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe at the Seattle Rep. The website is www.seattlerep.org

elise,

While our late Aug/early Sept. vacation was not as ambitious as yours, we did fly from the east coast to Seattle and our destination was Orcas Island.
As I recall, we left Seattle early morning and drove to Antacortes. Arrived at the ferry early. Then with our car on the ferry, we departed to Orcas Island.
This took more than just a few hours. If I remember correctly, we traveled (incl. time on the ferry), approx. 4 to 5 hrs. We spent our first/last night in Seattle. Our innkeeper (at Turtleback Farm Inn) recommended this itinerary. Our arrival/departure was effortless, thanks to his good advice.
Perhaps the other posters would have additional 'logistic' information.
The San Juan islands are lovely and we had a marvelous vacation.

I too would say not to do Seattle to Mt Rainier to Anacortes in one day. And why stay overnight in Anacortes? I've only done that when we HAD to....it's an okay small town but the islands are so much nicer (and so is Mt Rainier). You say you will spend all 3 days on Orcas. You might want to at least check out SJ and Lopez. But then I hate to write online that Orcas is not the best place for all tourists to go
At this time of year I'd love to see them all go there! For hiking on Orcas Moran State Park is just about it (some other nice areas around the island but they are small in size). The two lake hikes are level and easy. Little Summit to the top of Mt Constitution is often very scenic (in good weather). As for good Chinmayos is a popular local place for lunch. Ship Bay Inn is popular for dinner.

You've received some excellent advice! The Northwest is extraordinary. I'd like to also suggest, at the risk of being flamed ~ that if at all possible, try to 'squeeze' in a visit to Mt. St. Helens National Park. While there is no direct route there from Mt. Rainier, it's a unique park; seeing the new life pushing through the blanket of grey, is quite moving.

I don't want to neglect saying thank you to all who responded to my questions. You have provided me with a wealth of infomation that has been invaluable in planning my trip. I'll write when we return and let everyone know how it went. Thanks for taking the time to offer your help!

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