Hubby and I are planning our first trip to Seattle (and surrounding area, maybe San Juan Islands, Victoria, etc) for early October (possibly 1-7). Would this be a good time to visit or should we come earlier? We're definitely okay with coming during an off season or dealing with cold temps (we're from the Midwest) and I'm prepared for possibly drizzly days.

I'd come earlier.

Why I wouldn't recommend October is mostly because it gets dark very early here... we have very short days (at the shortest, sunset it 4:15pm). At the longest days in summer it stays late until 10:00pm.

The temps won't be all that cold like the midwest, but could well be gray and drizzly the entire time. Just a dreary time of year imo.

~suze (in Seattle)

Gosh, suze, I think early October is a great time to see this area. The tourist crowds have gone, and we're beginning to have a bit of fall color. The days are certainly shorter than in July, but they don't seem really short until after the change to standard time later in the month.

I HOPE we don't have dreary weather starting as early as October because it's only just now starting to feel like spring around here -- it's been a tough year.

Sure, that's true you MIGHT get a gorgeous week in early October. Might being the operative word

Seattle and Portland (where I live) have close to the same weather. A friend in the construction business plans to have his projects roofed over by mid-October, generally the start of rainy season. So, the closer you get to that date, the greater the risk of running into bad weather.

That said, there are a few banana belt areas in the San Juans that seem to avoid bad weather. Still, I'm sure you'd prefer Victoria when there's a blue sky, and you're not scurrying from place to place trying to miss the raindrops.

Thanks for the responses! I think we're pretty set on coming that time, just to avoid tourists (even though that's what we are!). Now I haven't done a lot of research yet, but does anyone know off hand if we can take our rental car to Victoria? And I believe I read somewhere that I don't need Canadian money if I use my debit card, as the bank does the exchange rate thing? Anyone happen to know this?

Most car rental agencies here are used to people taking the cars to Canada--but do ask to be sure.

You can use your debit or credit card but most banks charge a 2-3% foreign transaction fee each time you use it so be aware of that. But the exchange rate you get through the bank electronically may be good enough that it's a better deal than changing money at a bank or change place.

I usually just use my credit card anyway and might take out $20-50 from an ATM just to have walking around money, money for tips, etc. There's usually that same 2-3% fee for ATM withdrawals, however.

I have heard that Capitol One has a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees but don't know if their exchange rates are higher than those charged by other banks to make up for it.

Thanks NWWanderer! So let me get this straight...and I definitely feel like I'm having a blonde moment -- when we arrive in Canada, I just find an ATM, use my debit card and withdraw Canadian money? Why did I not think it would be that easy?!

Yes, that right about the ATM (same as people would do for Europe, etc.).

As far as "avoiding tourists" the area you are visiting is a large geographic area, I don't think it's really much of a problem, even during summer (except perhaps the ferries on weekends, and that's not just tourists but locals heading to the islands).

Yep, it's that easy!

I'd also recommend you try the Gulf Islands if you are planning to go to Victoria, too. They are just the "San Juan Islands North" - the are part of the same chain of island but belong to Canada instead of the US. We always find them a little less touristy than the San Juans.

Bring your Gore-Tex - that is the beginning of the rainy season. September however is BEAUTIFUL in Seattle, if you want to try just a month earlier : )

Long-time Seattle resident, hiker, camper, kayaker - etc.

If I can add onto fetch fenway's suggestion...Salt Spring Island is a treasure.

I only said what I said in the 1st post because Buffy asked specifically about coming earlier.

And September is often our most glorious month of the entire year, while October weather can go either way.

Would late September still be okay?

No selfl-respecting Seattle local will be willing to predict our weather for you (haha) but...

Yes each week that passes closer to winter, the days are shorter, and the chances of cold and rain increase... generally speaking.

Could the last week of September be a monsoon & the first week of October clear and gorgeous? Yup that could happen to.

September and October of 2006 were gorgeous. September of last year was meh and October was bleh. There is no way to predict. Seattle weather is an ongoing adventure. Be prepared for anything.

In September, you'd have about 11 hours of daylight whereas in October, you'd have around 10. Not a huge difference if you ask me.

I agree with Suze--your odds are better for good weather in Sept. rather than Oct., but if you don't care about drizzly days, you'll be fine either time.