San Juan Islands trip (Bellingham, Birch Bay: apartment, condo, vacation home)

[rkcarguy]

Andy, depending on the time you have to spend, consider doing Orcas Island and Friday Harbor/San Juan Island. Hit the San Juan vineyards store/wine tasting, dinner on the harbor in Roche, do the "loop" and see Lime Kiln park, South Beach, etc. I won a X-mas party prize at work with a weekend at the Friday Harbor House and all the above on the "loop" included, and it was a great time. I'm not sure how Covid and the labor shortage has affected these venues and I know ferries are far fuller and sailings cancelled often for lack of staff. YMMV now.
We went this time of year, not being fans of the zoo it is during the summer. Coat weather, but still very enjoyable.
Note: San Juan's south park has a large field up by the parking area that was teeming with rabbits and red/silver foxes prancing around when we were there...it was something else to see. One of the foxes came right up to the car...

https://www.fridayharborhouse.com/sp...ail.php?id=463

San Juan Island to-do list/map.

San Juan Island - Sights & Things To See

[MechAndy]

Thanks so much all.
I appreciate it.

We found a nice b&b on Orcas island that is dog friendly.
It looks surprisingly nice for the modest price.
Price is listed at $68 but when all is said and done it’s like $120 and I’m more than fine with that.

Our plan is to,
Catch the first ferry from PT to Coupville, then the Anacortes ferry to Orcas island, explore/enjoy then spend the night.
Catch the ferry to Sidney visit the family and spend the night.
Catch the last Victoria ferry to PA and drive home.
I think this should be a cool loop for us to do.

On funny note,
We are 25 or so miles as the crow fly’s from a bunch of our family and because of the Strait plus that international border it’s one of the longest 25 mile journeys I’ve known.

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by MechAndy

Catch the ferry to Sidney visit the family and spend the night.
Catch the last Victoria ferry to PA and drive home.

The Anacortes/Friday Harbor ferry to Sidney was suspended, and as far as I know hasn't started running again.

[homesinseattle]

Guemes Island is often overlooked in favor of more “sexy” San Juan islands. Really laid back feel though, I like it.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by MechAndy

...

On funny note,
We are 25 or so miles as the crow fly’s from a bunch of our family and because of the Strait plus that international border it’s one of the longest 25 mile journeys I’ve known.

Time to get that dreaded boat.

Maybe someone who has to keep theirs moored, and seldom have time to use it would like for you to exercise it for them.

(6) of my SWWA coworkers keep their sailboats moored in Hood Canal or Port Townsend. They use them about 6 days / month.

[CalWorth]

Please do a b&b review after your trip, we’re looking for a dog-friendly one.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by mayfair

The Anacortes/Friday Harbor ferry to Sidney was suspended, and as far as I know hasn't started running again.

You're right! The WA State Ferry schedule for the San Juans has only blanks under "Sydney"! Why was it suspended: shortage of personnel? What a shock!

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by CalWorth

Please do a b&b review after your trip, we’re looking for a dog-friendly one.

I'm curious about the OP's B&B, too.

[MechAndy]

The wife and I decided to hold off until next year when we can make the 4 ferry loop.
Seeing the islands going towards do Sydney on ferry rides sounds like a good time to us.
One of our good friends husband is actually a retired LEO and currently works for the ferry system, so I will know when this trip can happen
I will give a review of the trip and the B&B.

CalWorth that dog friendly B&B looked really nice and quiet.
It was on the north side of Orcas Island near the water w/view and cost about $250 off season.

I’m not the one that does the detail work on our adventures. I normally just agree to a plan and the wife usually finds really places for us.

We normally stay at hotels/resorts or rent cabins.
I’ve actually never been to a B&B due to my thinking that they are not so private and I prefer my privacy.
I know that places do have hidden costs/taxes/surcharges and I normally don’t think much of it because I’m usually ok with that.
However this time I did spent some time looking and reading about these B&B’s and frankly I was shocked.
There were a couple places that listed way way to cheap for what you would get then would quadruple the final price with hidden costs.
As an example one place was $65 per night (I know right ?) and their final cost was $249 (which isn’t out of line as far as I’m concerned) because they charged several hidden costs one of which was a host charged of $130.
With me never staying at a B&B I found this hidden charge souring.
I am ok with a room that costs $250 a night when I’m on holiday.
I’m actually even ok with spending more and I’m not a big spender
I just find this to be rather “bait and switch” because you don’t get to know the real pricing until you have seen the pictures and click book it to find out the final costs.
30-40% not an eyebrow raising issue, 400% and I start thinking of where else to spend my money.
Is this pricing structure common?

Thank you.
Andy.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

You're right! The WA State Ferry schedule for the San Juans has only blanks under "Sydney"! Why was it suspended: shortage of personnel? What a shock!

It was suspended during COVID when the border was mostly closed. I guess for whatever reason they don't have things back up and running yet. Probably some budgetary issue.