No. 58 Anacortes, WA Homeport to the San Juans

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.

Down Town Anacortes and Marina from the bluff atop Cape Sante on a nicer spring day 

Lobster pots waiting to be placed abored local fishing vessels

Anacortes Commercial Fishing Dock

A Fisherman loading his gear

You can catch a Washington State Ferry in Anacortes to various points of call in the San Juans and also to Syndney, BC

Loop Road in Washington Park

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No. 162 Cap Sante Viewpoint

Cap Sante Park
1000 W Ave
Anacortes, WA

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Cap Sante Park (1000 W Avenue) is a 37 acre forested promontory at the eastern edge of Anacortes. It is primarily a viewpoint overlooking the marina to the west, the downtown Anacortes, March Point, Fidalgo Bay and the Cascades to the east. 

Directions
Take Hwy 20 to Anacortes
Continue on Hwy 20 until it turns into Commercial Ave
Turn right onto 4th Street
Turn Right onto V Ave
Continue for a 1/4 mile until you reach the parking Lot over look

All images are copyrighted by © Pugetexposure Photography. Do NOT use my images on blogs, personal or professional websites, or any other digital media without my explicit permission.

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No. 163 Washington Park Loop

Washington Park
Sunset Ave,
Anacortes, WA 98221

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Directions:
From I-5 take Highway 20 west. Enter Anacortes on Spur 20 and take Commercial Avenue to 12th Street. Turn left on 12th and follow the signs (approximately 3 miles) to Washington Park.

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.
There are 73 campsites, 46 have water and electrical hook-ups. A sewer dump station is located near the park exit. Camping check out time is 1pm daily. The campground and the park are open year round from 6am to 10pm. The loop road is open from 6am to dusk for pedestrians and open from 10am to dusk for vehicular traffic.

Halfway through the loop trail you pop out of the forest to this parking spot looking out across Burrows Channel.

 

Sunset light from West Beach along Loop Rd by Jim Lundgren

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No. 274 Whidbey Scenic Isle Way

View Larger MapDriving Directions

The Whidbey Island Scenic Byway is part of the Great North Cascades Loop. This section of the byway is around 75 miles in length and takes just over 2 hours to drive without any stops. But there are plenty of scenic overlooks and parks to visit along the way. You don't have to visit every stop listed in this guide. This byway has much to offer and is worth visiting again and again throughout the year as seasons change the scenery and different wildlife species become active.

Starting off in Anacortes, Washington (77 miles north of Seattle, WA)


A) Cape Sante Overlook 
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.







B) Mount Erie View Point 
Mt. Erie View Point is on the highest mountain of Fidalgo Island in Skagit County. The 160 acre park is operated by the Anacortes Community Forest Lands and offers various adventure activities such as multiple rock face ascents, trails and a number of hill top viewing areas.






C) Bowman Bay Pier
Bowman Bay is located just north of the Deception Pass Bridge off of Highway on Fidalgo Island. The bay is separated from Lottie Bay to the south by a small and growing sand bar but it still is subject to tidal changes. Check current tidal conditions before your arrival to predict access to the shoreline. 





D) Deception Pass Bridge
The main feature of the park is the 180 foot tall Deception Pass Bridge, which was completed in 1935. The quarter mile long bridge spans two cuts in between Fidalgo and Whidbey Island. When the bridge first opened in 1935 on average 700 cars crossed between Whidbey Island and the Mainland. Today over 20,000 cars and trucks cross the bridge daily.







E) West Beach
West Beach is a long, gravelly shoreline dotted with boulders and driftwood and as excellent views of the Olympic Mountains, the San Juan Islands, and even Victoria on a clear day.  Keeping an eye on the changes in tide levels is important if you want to take a stroll around the large boulders to the north and look back at the cut and Deception Pass Bridge.






F) Fort Ebey State Park
Fort Ebey was originally commissioned by the United States Army in 1942 as military artillery Battery 248. Battery 248 featured 2 rapid fire 6-inch shell cannons, earth covered concrete support structure and fire control post. An SCR-296A radar facility was located south of the battery. 

G) Fort Casey
In 1858, the U.S. government purchased ten acres of land costing $400 for the construction of Admiralty Head Lighthouse. In 1890, the army took over the premises. It named its garrison "Fort Casey" in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Lincoln Casey, the last U.S. Army chief of engineers. At that time, Fort Casey, in union with Fort Worden and Fort Flagler, was said to comprise a "triangle of fire" guarding the entrance to Puget Sound. 


H) Admiralty Head Light House
The Admiralty Head Lighthouse, built in 1903 by the Army Corps of Engineers, is located in Fort Casey State Park near Coupeville on Whidbey Island. The beacon, high on a bluff, 127 feet above sea level, was an important navigational aid, especially for sailing ships entering Admiralty Inlet from the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It replaced the Red Bluff Lighthouse, a wooden Cape Cod style structure built in 1861. Although decommissioned in 1922, the Admiralty Head Lighthouse received national recognition in 1990 when the U. S. Postal Service selected it for a collection of five commemorative lighthouse stamps honoring the U.S. Coast Guard’s bicentennial.



J) Clinton/Mukilteo Ferry
Return to the Mainland via Washington State Ferry Clinton / Mukilteo run. The crossing takes about 20 minutes

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No. 301 Save Big on 2015 Whale Watching Tours

2014 was an incredible season.  From christening the Island Explorer 4 to seeing whales every day since May 2014, this year will go into the record books.  Check out the whale report to re-live all of the 2014 tours!   View the Whale Report 

ALL GIFT CERTIFICATES AND TOURS FOR 2015

THE BIGGEST SAVINGS OF THE YEAR ARE HERE!

Save 50% off the regular ticket price now through December 24th, 2014 . You can take advantage of the huge savings one of two ways: Call or stop in to purchase a gift certificate to put under the tree. This would also make a great gift for yourself if you are unsure of when you would like to join us for a trip.     OR If you already know when you'd like to go whale watching, book your 2015 tour online with the promo codes below and instantly receive the incredible savings. With this great deal, you have the choice to depart out of any of our three departure locations: Everett 3 hour guaranteed whale watching tour - March 7 through May 8 Adults -- ONLY $34.50 + taxes (regular price $69) Children -- ONLY $24.50 + taxes (regular price $49) Book for a specific date online with code HOLIDAY1 Anacortes (April - October) or Port Angeles (May - October) guaranteed whale watching tour  Adults -- ONLY $54.50 + taxes (regular price $109) Children -- ONLY $24.50 + taxes (regular price $49) Book for a specific date online with code HOLIDAY2 Hurry! This deal expires on December 24, 2014 at 3PM - call 1-800-465-4604or book your 2015 tour online to take advantage of 50% savings! Whale Watching Reviews and Highlights

Island Explorer 4 Arrives in Everett, WA

New to Island Adventures in 2014, the Island Explorer 4 is the little sister to the Island Explorer 3. She is 85 ft long and 24 ft wide, with a full walk around lower deck, spacious upper viewing deck, galley with hot food and beverage for purchase, his and her restrooms, over 300 sq. ft. of outdoor rail viewing space, and has comfortable booth style seating in her indoor heated cabin.



Island Adventure Tour from Anacortes, WA

Based out of Anacortes, Washington, only 90 minutes north of Seattle and 90 minutes south of Vancouver, BC. Anacortes is located on the mainland and is known as the “Home Port” to the San Juan Islands, providing the perfect departure point for our Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruises.
Island Adventures operates a 101 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, 2 story, 99 ton whale watching vessel called "Island Explorer 3." The vessel has a range of 750 miles but daily wildlife excursions are limited to 5hr & generally are 60-90 miles in duration. 






Humpback Tour from Port Angeles, WA 

Introduced in 2014 Island Adventures adds a new destination for marine life viewing in the Puget Sound. Island Explorer 4 departs   Port Angeles, WA in late summer for humpback whale sightings 

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No. 203 Mount Erie, Anacortes

Mount Erie
Heart Lake Road / Ray Auld Dr
Anacortes, WA
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Mt. Erie View Point  is on the highest mountain of Fidalgo Island in Skagit County. The 160 acre park is operated by the Anacortes Community Forest Lands and offers various adventure activities such as multiple rock face ascents, trails and a number of hill top viewing areas. At the intersection of Heart Lake Road and Ray Auld Dr. there is a parking area and trail heads that meander through the forest. Located at the south end of the parking lot is Erie Mountain Dr, a 1.5 mile one lane paved road that you can either hike, bike or drive to the main viewing areas. The drive takes about 10 minutes as it zig zags its way up 800 feet in elevation to the top.
The end of Erie Mountain Drive is at around 1200 feet and has multiple viewing areas that looks east, west, and south all are just a few minute walk from the parking lot. The south face of MT. Erie is a popular rock climbing location with its exposed rock face that extends 900 feet vertically down to Lake Campbell.

Looking East towards Padilla Bay and Burlington, WA

Looking South over Lake Campbell

Lake Campbell, Deception Pass, Naval Air station Whidbey, and Whidbey Island

Overlook Forest Trail

Burrows Bay, Allen Island, Lopez Island


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No. 62 Island Adventure Cruises, Anacortes Washington

Distance from Seattle 90 miles

aprox 1hr 30min

Recent Whale Sightings

Island Adventures Whale Watching is based out of Anacortes, Washington, only 90 minutes north of Seattle and 90 minutes south of Vancouver, BC. Anacortes is located on the mainland and is known as the “Home Port” to the San Juan Islands, providing the perfect departure point for our Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Cruises.
Island Adventures operates a 101 ft. long, 24 ft. wide, 2 story, 99 ton whale watching vessel called "Island Explorer 3." The vessel has a range of 750 miles but daily wildlife excursions are limited to 5hr & generally are 60-90 miles in duration.

image from Island Adventure Cruises

The staff and crew of Island Adventures are all about finding the San Juan wildlife. They boast a very high spotting percentage. All sighting are of "WILD" marine and bird life. No 2 days out on the water are the same. As much as the weather changes in the north west so do the areas of where the animals can be found. None of the whales are geotagged so its up to the passengers and crew to find the animals. Throughout your trip crew will comment on the wildlife of the region, as well as local landmarks and some of the history associated with them. Naturalists aboard the vessel will circulated through the groups, answering questions and give  presentations on the Humpback, Orca, and Minke whales.
When you arrive on scene the boat size allows for plenty of room to view the wildlife along both sides of the boat either along the lower or upper rails . Its 3 diesel engines provide fast cruising speeds to cover a large distance even into canadian waters. Creature comforts include 2 restrooms, it's great to have a toilet on board, heated cabin with padded benches and booths, or outside on one of the decks. Galley serving cold & hot drinks, snacks & hot food, and some clothing items you may have forgotten such as hats and gloves.


All images are copyright of Puget Exposure, BngPhotos. Do not steal my images, use the on blogs or other media with out permission

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Special Thanks goes out to the staff of Island Adventures for selecting my shot to win a free trip.
And to Think Tank Photo for supplying their Speed Freak V2.0. 





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