travelingteam

We plan to go Vancouver, Victoria, Friday Harbor and then Seattle via ferry; I can't seem to find the ferry schedule from Friday Harbor to Seattle - is there one? We are anticipating daily car rentals along the way. Any suggestions for lodging in FH?

NWWanderer

No, there's not a ferry directly to Seattle from any of the San Juan Islands. With a car, you'd take the ferry to Anacortes, then drive the 2 hours to Seattle. If you're not taking a car, then you'll need to take the Victoria Clipper from Friday Harbor to Seattle--that's a private high speed ferry service as opposed to the Washington State ferry--or fly to Seattle on Kenmore Air which operates float planes.

How many people in your party and what's your budget for accommodations? Friday Harbor House is the nicest place in Friday Harbor but it's geared toward couples and is on the expensive side.

elbegewa

There is no direct car ferry between Friday Harbor and Seattle, but there are options.

Victoria Clipper operates a high-speed passenger-only boat direct between Friday Harbor and Seattle ... one boat a day, reservations required, summers only. Schedule at:
http://www.clippervacations.com/ferry_schedule

Washington State Ferries operates car ferries between Friday Harbor and Anacortes year around. Beware of travelling weekends and holidays ... there can be long 2 ferry waits. Between Anacortes and Seattle you'd have to drive. Schedules at:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/Schedule/

Note that to get from Vistoria to Friday Harbor you need to drive to Sidney BC from where there's a ferry to Friday Harbor; only one boat per day, summers only, reservations needed. Schedules also at:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/Schedule/

The other ferries from Victoria are:

Downtown Victoria to Port Angeles (thence drive to Seattle with one additional Washington State ferry crossing at either Kingston or Winslow on Bainbridge): Black Ball ferries at:
http://cohoferry.com/main/

Swartz Bay (very roughly 20 miles from Vistoria) to Tsawwassen, BC, thence drive to Seattle, B.C. Ferries at:
http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/index.html

travelingteam

Thanks much for the ferry info, now we are on the right track. Yes, we do plan to take a bus to Sidney. We are two middle-aged couples who like to stay in nice places but don't want to spend all our $$ on lodging. Friday Harbour House does look very nice but a little pricey for us. Do you know anything about the Discovery Inn or other middle-of-the-road places? Certainly do appreciate all these good/helpful ideas.

NWWanderer

I'm not familiar with the Discovery Inn. The Earth Box is a motel in downtown FH that's been renovated with some flair; it doesn't have water views though. Harrison House Suites is nice too...just a few blocks outside of downtown.

groovymom

Have you thought about renting a house on San Juan? We are renting one for a week in August right on the water just out of Friday harbour.. Check out www.vrbo.com (vacation rental by owner) Get to the San Juan listings and you will find some options.

bluepacifica

Last summer, the Victoria Clipper did not run between Seattle and Friday Harbor. Check to make sure. Windermere also has vacation rentals, some very reasonable. http://www.vacationdoorways.com. I'm lucky to live here on the island and don't find it expensive. Food is cheaper here than where I used to live in Wyoming. Restaurants are about the same price as in other tourist areas, but we can still afford to go out to eat here. It's a great place!

travelingteam

Looks like VRBO and/or vacationdoorways.com is going to be a better way to go. Thanks much!

NWWanderer

The Clipper has confirmed they are running between Friday Harbor and Seattle this year, at least as of about a month ago.

And yes, renting a house is a great way to go if you have enough time--I believe most places have a 3 night minimum. If you do want to be right in FH, the suites that Windermere rents out right in town are gorgeous.

travelingteam

We arelooking at renting a house on FH for 3 nights and Orcas for 4 in late Aug/early Sept. We will be coming from Victoria. We are wondering if Victoria is overly crowded on Labor Day weekend? Would it be best to visit Victoria mid-week and travel to FH on Saturday and be there for Labor Day. Any suggestions?

elbegewa

I can't emphasize enuf: don't plan on travelling on ferry to/from the san juans on a long holiday weekend unless u have reservations far in advance

travelingteam

Are ferry holiday schedules different than normal days? Is Victoria a pretty popular holiday weekend destination?

NWWanderer

Labour Day (with a u ;-)) is also a holiday in Canada, so Victoria will see some holiday traffic from Vancouver and other places but between the two destinations, I'd go to Victoria over the holiday weekend rather than the San Juans.

You can and should make reservations on the ferry between Sidney and the San Juans or Anacortes, but the non-international routes in or to the islands don't take reservations. So you want to avoid traveling to the islands on Fridays during the summer or back from the islands on Sundays (or Monday on the holiday weekend).

elbegewa

The washington state ferry schedule to san juans is at:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Ferries/Sche...roundtrip=true

you can use the drop down boxes to change days and desinations

In the left column is a link to reservations. As other posters have said, available only from Sidney BC to Friday Harbor and Anacortes)

In general, there are no added trips on holidays (lack of available boats).

On a holiday weekend, especially Fridays and Mondays, be prepared to 2 or 3 ferry waits (2 to 3 hours or more) while in line if with a car. As a foot passenger, usually no problem.

travelingteam

Thanks for the ferry info - we'll make our reservations.

travelingteam

While in Seattle we are thinking of taking the Boeing tour, any pros or cons about it? If we stay at a hotel in Pioneer Square will we be within reasonable walking distance to the train station?