Distance from Seattle, WA = 90 miles
aprox 1hr 30min drive time
Anacortes is homeport to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. Located on Fidalgo Island, it is conveniently situated halfway between Seattle and Vancouver BC and is the destination point for the San Juans and International ferry runs for Washington State. Whether you are planning a day trip or a vacation, Anacortes has something for everyone. Whale watching tours, kayaking excursions, sailing, boating, birding, fishing, crabbing, hiking or biking to name a few. The Skagit Tulip and Anacortes Arts festivals are enjoyed by all ages.
As you make the turn west along Hwy 20 you get to travel through the small town of Mount Vernon, the home of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, if your visiting outside of April/May you wont see any colorful flowers in the fields but seeing the size and scope of the growers fields will make you want to come back during the tulip blooming season and see acres of vibrant colors.
Anacortes has Washington State Ferries dock and terminal serving Lopez Island, Shaw Island, Orcas Island, and San Juan Island, as well as Victoria, British Columbia (via Sidney, British Columbia) on Vancouver Island. There is also a Skagit County-operated ferry that serves Guemes Island, a residential island located across a strait north of Anacortes.
The city of Anacortes was home to a large fishing industry with up to 23 fish processing plants up until the 1980s. Only a few remain operational. If you ever had a fish sandwhich at Burger King or Wendy's it was probably processed through Trident Foods, Anacortes.
You don't need to settle for frozen grub because there are plenty of restaurants offering all sorts of fresh local seafood around town. And if your feeling a bit full and need to walk off some that last brunch late I would suggest visiting Washington Park. Continue west on Oaks Ave/ Hwy 20 and it will bring you right to it. Washington Park sits on a peninsula at the west end of Fidalgo Island. The 220-acre city park features camping, a boat launch, and day use picnic sites. A scenic 2.2-mile loop road winds through the park’s forested hills and meadows with views of the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains.
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| Down Town Anacortes and Marina from the bluff atop Cape Sante on a nicer spring day |
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| Lobster pots waiting to be placed abored local fishing vessels |
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| Anacortes Commercial Fishing Dock |
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| A Fisherman loading his gear |
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| You can catch a Washington State Ferry in Anacortes to various points of call in the San Juans and also to Syndney, BC |
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| Loop Road in Washington Park |
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