I am going to Seattle and would like to spend some time on the islands. I don't know which one to visit. The Inn at Langley is appealing as well as the Rosario at Orcas. Anyone been to either recently? We enjoying walking, learning to kayaking, and taking in the sights. Thanks for your help. Bev

My wife, son and I spent three days at Rosario in June of 1995 and thoroughly enjoyed it - took a sailplane ride over the islands, didn't kayak tho' it was available, visited the town of Eastsound, generally relaxed. Don't know the Inn at Langley although after leaving Orcas, our trip took us through Whidbey Island on our way to the Oregon Coast and I was surprised at how developed it was, including strip malls and new housing projects. I'd like to get back to Orcas again soon and would stay again at Rosario.

I live in Seattle and I pick Orcas over Whidbey hands down. Whidbey is easier to get to: more ferries, and you can get off the island on the north end via the bridge at Deception Pass, but it is much more developed. The north end of the island is dominated by Oak Harbor and the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. The south end is more scenic.

Orcas is harder to get to, but more picturesque. You can go to the top of MT. Constitution and see some great views. I belive the top of Mt. Constitution is the highest point in the San Juans. Also there's lots of hiking and outdoor activities at Moran State Park (very near Rosario). I would also urge you to check out some of the B&Bs, if you are not set on Rosario. I think there are more things to see on Orcas both by car and if you are willing to hike a bit. If you do end up on Whidbey, check out the town of Freeland, which is sort of the "artsy" town on that island. If you go to Orcas and want to do some kayaking you might want to check out Doe Bay (on the west end of the Island) as well as whatever Rosario might offer. Also the interisland ferries are free, so you can walk-on and check out the Whale museum on San Juan Island (definitely within walking distance of the ferry dock).

Slightly more than my $0.02
-V

My vote would be for Orcas too. As for Rosario's it just sold about 2 months ago to one of the biggest hotel chains in the USA and they will be doing a large amount of renovation there they said in the newspaper.
Don't know when that will start happening so check that before you book I suggest. You can walk into Moran State Park from Rosario grounds and around Cascade Lake which is a pleasant walk. You don't say what time of year you are going..be aware that kayaking with local companies does not happen after like Oct until like May again. If you go to Orcas be sure to take your car as you need it there..the island is very stretched out and hilly. As for Doe Bay we found it*very* run down and depressing when we were there for a stop by earlier this year. I think you have to be under the age of 20 and a backpacker to like it at Doe Bay these days.

Hi--I'm from the area, and my best advice is to not plan a stay on Whidbey. There are some scenic spots, but really, you can hardly tell it's an island. Much better to go to Orcas or over to San Juan Island (I recommend the website www.sanjuanguide.com for information). To arrive on these islands, you must go by Washington State Ferry (or seaplane, I suppose!), giving a real island experience. On San Juan you can learn quite a bit of British/American history, there are B&Bs in both Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor. Good traveling--

S.

I'm not sure what happended to the message I posted here, but you can see the consensus building. Whibey can not compete with the San Juans, just not a fair fight. Orcas is fine, but your should consider Mariella resort on San Juan Island. The luxury beachfront cabins are my favorite. They have a kayak dock and you can paddle over to Friday Harbor for lunch and great little shops. You can also hire all kinds of boats in Friday Harbor. You really should get out on the water. Our last trip there we saw Orca whales three times and at least a dozen other types of sealife and birds.