Seattle Forum: Seattle and San Juan Islands

renting a car when you're reading to leave seattle, driving to anacortes, and taking a ferry to the islands would give you the most flexibility. you can take the passenger only victoria clipper from seattle to the island but imo you want to rent a car while you're there, which is more expensive than renting it in seattle.

i'd avoid the weekend however or at least go on sunday rather than saturday.

are you traveling with kids? where to stay recommendations would be different for a family than for a couple.

"We" includes my husband and myself...no kiddos. I have reservations on Orcas Island for August 26 and 27. We chose the SJI because we have never been there before. My husband has never been to Seattle. Ideas on where to stay on San Juan I? Seattle? Thanks!

No kids, just two adults. Leaving from Seattle seems so much easier; are car rentals on the islands that much more expensive?

You say you have reservations on Orcas Island. Then you ask for ideas on where to stay on San Juan Island. We really need clarity... The San Juan Islands include San Juan and Orcas Islands. Are you staying on Orcas Island and visiting San Juan Island? Or, are you looking for a place to stay on the latter as well as Orcas?

I, too, recommend renting a car and driving to the Anacortes ferry so you'll have it's use on the island(s). You'll thus have the opportunity also to choose routes of interest back to Seattle.

yes, i'm confused about your plans too. how were you planning to get to orcas? the victoria clipper doesn't go there. were you thinking of flying? and yes, car rentals are quite a bit more expensive on the islands plus you have the cost of the clipper or flight.

where are you staying on orcas? that'll at least give us an idea of what your budget and preferences are since you haven't posted any details.

Details...we are staying at the Kangaroo Inn on Orcas Island the 26th and 27th...since we couldn't get 3 nights there I thought it might work to stay on one of the other islands the first night...also need help deciding where to stay in Seattle our first night and our last 2 nights of our trip.

I go to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island regularly without a car. I take the Bellair Shuttle from Sea-Tac to Anacortes (www.airporter.com) and then the Washington State ferry. This would work for Orcas Island, too. Cars are nice on both islands, but they are not essential. There are bike and moped rentals available on both islands. See Orcas Mopeds (www.orcasmopeds.com) or Wildlife Cycles (www.wildlifecycles.com) for Orcas and Island Bicycles in Friday Harbor (www.islandbicycles.com) for Friday Harbor among other offerings.

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