Take the long switchback road to the top of Mt Constitution. This alone is a beautiful sight. at…read morethe top, there's a parking lot and a nice restroom and visitor center. you can buy a year long discovery pass inside, or a daily ten dollar parking pass. You can also pay in the honesty box. the short hike to the top is steep.But very short and easy. the views are incredible and even more so if you do all the stairs up to the top of the tower. worth it!

Mount Constitution was a fun place to visit. It is the Highest point in the San Juan Islands and…read morethe views were stunning! It was closed on the day we went so we just piddled around and enjoyed the beautiful view. Gift shop was closed so no souvenirs!

Causland Park in Anacortes is a worthy little gem to visit. After so many years of visiting…read moreAnacortes, I spotted it on Google maps and dropped by. Intriguing. John Baptiste LePage (1857-1939) is the French-Canadian artist and architect who designed this unique memorial park, built from 1919 to 1921. It is now a registered national historic place. The plaque at the front of the gazebo/stage centerpiece dedicates the park in honor of Harry Leon Causland and the "brave sons of Fidalgo Guemes Decatur and Cypress Islands... who gave their lives in the Great War... 1917-1919." A second war memorial has been added with places to honor those who lost their lives in subsequent wars - World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War. Ominously, a spot sits empty on this memorial, as if to await the names from the Afghanistan 20 years war that just ended (or did it?). While the park has clearly been updated, it's quite clear what is original vs. what is new. The original portions feature different colors of stone mosaics forming 3-dimensional designs with an architectural style that favor non-angular, non-edged designs. At certain angles, they resemble Park Güell in Barcelona, i.e., the work of Antoni Gaudi. This park is lovingly well maintained. While I do not suggest driving to Anacortes just to visit this small park, I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area.

Nice park ..lots of character, beautiful trees. Fun for…read moredogs on a leash. This is a memorial park.. Very spiritual.

One of my favorite parks in the San Juans for hiking, kayaking and boating. Beautiful views all…read morearound, and the wildlife from eagles to seals to whales is awe-inspiring. If you have an opportunity to travel here, go for it!

If you have a boat (or, even better, a friend with a boat) and you live anywhere in the vicinity of…read morethe San Juan Islands then fill 'er up and head on over to Sucia Island State Park. I recently was invited out with some friends on their new boat (did I mention how lucky I feel sometimes?) and we had an AMAZING day tied up at the main dock, barbecuing fresh salmon, tossing back a few cold ones, playing some cards, and enjoying a nice relaxing Sunday on the island. There's a lot to love about Sucia. It's isolated (accessible only by boat), uncrowded (because, let's face it, not everybody has a boat), unscathed, and beautiful...yet still has a few "creature comforts" that we semi-outdoorsy types love (like pit toilets, picnic tables, and even cell phone service). If you don't have a boat you can catch one from Orcas or another nearby island - some will even haul your kayak over, too, so you can enjoy some quality time paddling around the island and its beautiful inlets and bays. There are also several lovely campsites right by the main boating dock - can't wait to get back here with my tent, my kayak, and a good book or two. Just remember, if you go on a weekend day get here early for the best spot at the dock!

I have been eyeing San Juan Cruises for at least two years and this year my oldest son wanted to…read morecelebrate his birthday exploring by boat. Booking our adventure was extremely easy via the San Juan Cruises website. I greatly appreciate how detailed the reservation information was, and most importantly how courteous the entire team was throughout our time aboard. The team went into great detail about our journey, history on each island we passed, and insights on the protected wildlife we could possibly encounter during our voyage. The vessel was extremely accommodating for all of us on board, ample seating, viewing opportunities, and two restrooms. The team makes an excellent warm lunch was provided; while snacks and beverages were available throughout the entire duration of the voyage (grab a cup of coffee Blue Herron coffee beans based out of Bow, WA makes a great cup!) We managed to encounter eagles, seals, walruses, dolphins, a gray whale, and two different orca pods. Each sighting was absolutely breathtaking and majestic! I could not ever imagine going to a theme park to view these magnificent animals. The voyage takes between 5-6 hours plan, you'll be surprised at how quickly that time goes by. Helpful tip for parents bringing children feel free to pack coloring books, board games, binoculars, and snacks for your littles the San Juan Cruise team welcomes it for the little voyagers. My parents have already had planned to book an excursion during their visit next month, and I highly recommend for anyone who lives in or visiting the area to do so as well!

My boyfriend and I booked the afternoon whale watching cruise at San Juan Cruises not knowing what…read moreto expect and it ended up being the highlight of the weekend. The crew was very friendly and I loved that it was guided by the Captain and Naturalist onboard. I learned a lot about islands in the Salish Sea and we saw several species of animals. There are several great viewing spots on the boat and it's easy to see from inside if it gets too windy. I learned so much about the Biggs orcas, sea lions, and harbor seals. It's not promised, but we saw two different groups of the orcas right at the beginning of the trip and surprisingly at the end in Bellingham bay. It was so nice to learn about them and get an up close view (within safe distance). They served a lunch onboard which was included in the cost, however we packed our own. They also have beverages and snacks for sale throughout the ride. I didn't bring binoculars on board, but I did see people with them. My iPhone was enough to get close up videos and pictures of the animals! I would definitely recommend this to family and friends!

The best time to come is during midweek before it starts getting busy…read more We came with a group of four for our first San Juan /shrimping expedition. Our campsite was right along the edge next to the beach, it overlooked the whole bay. You'll need to get there early in order to dock your boat. We beached it on nights two and three because it got so crowded. Fire pits for your campfires and plenty of firewood from the forest and drift wood from the beach. Lots of seashells, but not many starfish or marine life. An occasional seal or sea otter swimming around. Lots of birds, eagles, a goldfinch, and a pileated woodpecker. The bathrooms were great, compostable toilets, nice tile floors, and windows to look out from. Nice and clean. A ranger even stopped by to clean them while we were there for four days. It's a short hike from the bay to raccoon island campground. Loved the campground, would highly recommend to come during the week !

I'll admit it, I was flattered when the State of Washington approached about naming their next park…read moreafter me. Humbled, I declined their generous proposition. Well, apparently they found an alternative Jones after which to name their island. Reachable only by watercraft, Jones is a true gem of the beautiful San Juans. I've been there twice now for day trips, but I'd love to set up camp there for a week or more of sheer PNW bliss. This rustic isle features tent sites and even some pre-built shelters in case you forgot to stop at REI on the way. There are pit toilets and trails as well. And the views across beaches and waterways...well they're just magical. If I ever actually buy a boat, Jones will be my first stop. Even if it's not technically named after me.

It's a hike that you must do in the Bellingham area, hell, in the state. It's one of those gems…read morethat everyone talks about - and I know in Washington, everyone talks about hiking trails, but this is one of those that you have to do...if you like hiking and are in the area. We spent a weekend in Bellingham and not gonna lie, Oyster Dome was one of the primary reasons for spending time up north. Located along the Chuckanut Drive on Blanchard Mountain, it's a hike with a rewarding view at the end. So yes, it's worth it. This hike is about a five-mile, round-trip trail with an elevation gain of just over 1000. It's a good climb, but not difficult or challenging. The parking area can get filled up quickly, and you'll likely see many people along the trail and definitely up at summit. It's dog-friendly; we saw a lot of dogs on the trail and brought our little hiker, too. You'll need a Discover Pass to park here and in the lot is where there are restrooms. The hike goes through a forested area, providing tree canopy and cooler temperatures. But some parts can be rocky, especially towards the summit. Descending was worse as it can be sore on your knees, so it felt longer going down than up in my opinion. The views are incredible. You can see the mountains, the valley and even Canada. Pretty amazing.

Yet another great hiking trail we softly explored, to help our toddlers calm down before we headed…read moreback home. Oyster Dome Trail has multiple markers for guidance throughout it. Now that we've all thawed out from the winter, exploring WAs beautiful trails, parks, and landmarks come naturally; investing in a Discovery pass could be helpful. We will definitely return, and recommend!

If you're staying at the bellwether Or just cruising the waterfront, The Commons as little places…read moreto eat some nice restaurants And a great place to wander around at the point., For mance close to the Marina so I can get off the boat and go up and have a sandwich or sushi or a great steak

Public courtyard by Hotel Bellwether. Great view of the islands, WWU and of Mount Baker. At…read moreentrance to marina. Nice place to sit and watch people, boats and nature. Several metal chairs and lots of benches. Bellingham view from downtown south to Fairhaven. Bring a jacket it coat, it can be windy and 10 to 15 degrees cooler here. Enjoy!

Ben and staff are great to work with. They called us back right away and went out of their way ti…read moreaccommodate our requests. Thank you!!!

Sea Quest is an absolute gem that never fails to amaze me. Their staff is incredibly kind,…read moreknowledgeable, and always ready to assist you. If you're planning a kayaking adventure around the San Juan Islands, make sure to book with Sea Quest.