Where to stay Seattle area islands?
 

We will be in the Seattle area in September and want to explore some of the nearby islands including Vashon, Whidbey and Bainbridge. What would be a good location to stay? In Seattle or on one of the islands? I'm assuming that we'd take day trips by car ferry.

Also...if anyone has any specific hotel and restaurant recommendations, that would be great! Our preference is to stay in a hotel or inn rather than a B&B.

Thanks for your help!

Margy

Bainbridge is more like a day or half day trip since the ferry to the island departs from downtown Seattle area. Whidbey island is a good place for overnight, Inn at Langley in Langley on the island is really nice, it has a really nice restaurant too. I don't know much about Vashon so I can't really comment on that. Have a good time!

Vashon is a quick ferry ride from West Seattle. It is a lovely, rural island that sees few tourists compared with Bainbridge. http://www.vashonchamber.com/

If you go to Bainbridge , the Bloedel Reserve is beautiful. http://www.bloedelreserve.org/text80...age/index.html

While Vashon and Bainbridge are very pretty (though Bainbridge is more and more like a sprawling suburb every year), they are small and it wouldn't take much time to explore them. Ferries run frequently since the islands are bedroom communities (definiely avoid rush hour!). It seems logical to base yourself in Seattle, though if you're not interested in the city at all, and you found a nice waterfront b and b on one of the islands, that might be a reason to actually stay there.

Whidbey, on the other hand, is large and has some wonderful state parks, national reserves (Ebey's Landing) and small towns. There are many b and b's and inns here, and there's definitely enough to do for a couple of days.

Of course, the San Juan Islands are the most beautiful of all, your best choice for scenery, whale watching, outdoor activities, etc...

I'd probably base in Seattle with an overnight or two somewhere like Captain Whidbey's Inn on Whidbey Island.

I think of Bainbridge and Vashon as residential areas, more than places to go visit on a vacation.

Thanks so much for all of your input. It sounds like I should either stay in Seattle and do day trips or stay on Whidbey Island.....what about the San Juans?

San Juans are a gorgeous place to visit but they are a destination in themselves, too far (time in transit) to day-trip to/from Seattle.