I'm just starting my travel research, so excuse my ignorance. However, there seem to be quite a few islands (Bainbridge, San Juan, Vashon, Whidbey) and I'm trying to narrow it down (2-3 days in the Seattle area before heading south on 101 to SF). First, do you take a ferry over to a main island and then drive to the others? Could use some basic orientation here. Thanks!

Bainbridge Island and Vashon Island are the only islands accessed directly from Seattle, (okay, Mercer Island in the middle of Lake Washington has a handy Interstate highway) but from different ferry terminals. (You can drive from Seattle to Bainbridge via Tacoma then a short bridge from the "other" side from the ferry, but it's around 90 miles.) Whidbey island can be reached by ferry from the south (Mukilteo) or by road from the north, again, a long highway "detour" from Seattle. The main islands in the San Juan group, San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, are all ferry-only. There are numerous other islands, some ferry-only, some with bridges. IMO the San Juans are too far to see effectively in just a couple of days from Seattle.

Thanks for such a quick response and your helpful information.

Thanks for such a quick response and your helpful information.

There will be SO much for you to see and
enjoy in Seattle. If what you want is
just the "feel" of the Puget Sound and a view of the islands, I would suggest you take the Ferry from downtown Seattle over to the city of Bremerton - across the Sound. It is only an hour plus trip and you can enjoy the salt air, views and even food/beverage aboard the ferry.

You can take your car or go cheaply as
a "walk on" and return directly or after a walk-about at Bremerton. Ferries
run almost hourly. Hope you enjoy
Seattle - we used to live there and love
to visit. K