Are the San Juan Islands a good mini vacation destination or are there better islands to consider in the Washington area? I would like to surprise my wife for her birthday in September and she absolutely loves the PNW.

San Juan Islands are a great choice for a mini-vacation, especially in the fall when the ferry lines are more managable. I would probably suggest Orcas Island as the best choice for beauty, quaint lodgings, etc. You could then use that as a base for exploring a couple of the other islands accessible by ferry. Friday Harbour on San Juan Island is a fun little city and Lopez Island is slow and rural, great for biking. Many of the islands closer to Seattle are now only semi-rural and have become bedroom communities for Seattle. (I speak as someone who lives on one of them.) They are still wonderful but not the escape that the San Juans are.

Thank you, Marti. I'm not familiar with the area and wasn't sure where to stay--We will be flying into Seattle airport. What transporation would you recommend to access the ferry to the islands?

Go to Vancouver Island you can take the ferry from Seattle to Victoria BC. Very Quaint city with a definite British Flavour. Have high tea at the Empress Hotel. Take a horse and buggy tour through town or take a bus tour. Walk along the waterfront pier / boardwalk that is situated right in front of the Parliament Buildings. You will love it!

Lots to see and do. Capital of B.C.

And your money will go twice as far when you do the conversion to C$$

I strongly recommend the Rosario Resort on Orcas Island in the San Juans--it's incredibly beautiful and romantic:

http://www.rosarioresort.com/