Originally published May 15, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified May 15, 2008 at 6:34 AM
PrintSan Juan roads, ferry routes are new Scenic Byway
Wildlife, hikes, whale-watching, gourmet restaurants, B&Bs, all reachable via a scenic cruise aboard a Washington State ferry. The islands of Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw lure visitors year-round...
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KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Originally decorated pottery waits for a final firing at Crow Valley Pottery on Orcas Island.
Toting up the gas bill
To calculate the gas cost for these trips, we used EPA highway mileage figures for the 2008 Toyota Prius (45 mpg) and 2008 Lincoln Navigator 2WD (18 mpg). Results were based on a gasoline price of $3.75 per gallon.Get ski and boarding conditions all winter long with webcams, snow alerts and more at seattletimes.com/snowsports
What's the draw?
Wildlife, hikes, whale-watching, gourmet restaurants, B&Bs, all reachable via a scenic cruise aboard a Washington State ferry. The islands of Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Shaw lure visitors year-round, but don't underestimate the long ferry lines in summer. Think about parking the car in Anacortes, and taking a bike or walking on the ferry instead. San Juan and Orcas have seasonal shuttle services.
What's new this summer?
The state of Washington has declared the ferry routes and rural roads on San Juan and Orcas Islands the state's newest "Scenic Byway." See http://visitsanjuans.com/byway.html for suggested driving routes and historical information about the areas.
If you go
Miles from Seattle: 80 to the ferry dock at Anacortes. Plan on arriving two hours ahead if you're taking your car. Ferry schedules and prices at 888-808-7977 or www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
Round-trip gas cost for Prius hybrid*: $13.34
Round-trip gas cost for Navigator SUV*: $33.34
Lodging worth a look:
• West Beach Resort, Orcas Island. Beachfront, oceanview and garden cottages. New this year are tent cabins. $175-$245 for cottages, $95 for tent cabins for August Saturday; 877-937-8224 or www.westbeachresort.com.
• MacKaye Harbor Inn, Lopez Island. Five rooms in a restored beachfront farmhouse. $155-$215 with breakfast for August Saturday; 888-314-6140 or www.mackayeharborinn.com.
• States Inn & Ranch, San Juan Island. A B&B in a converted turn-of-the-century schoolhouse on a 62-acre working ranch. Visit the animals, walk through the woods or relax by the fireplace. $99-$229 ($249 for a cottage) including breakfast for August Saturday; 866-602-2737 or www.statesinn.com.
Dining you won't likely regret:
• Bay Cafe. Longtime Lopez Island favorite. Water view, fresh seafood and Northwest coastal specialties made with island-grown produce. 9 Old Post Road, Lopez Island. 360-468-3700, or http://bay-cafe.com.
• Duck Soup Inn. Gourmet dining in a cozy house set in the woods four miles outside Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Applewood-smoked Westcott Bay oysters are a house specialty. 50 Duck Soup Lane, Friday Harbor. 360-378-4878, or www.ducksoupinn.com.
More information: San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, 888-468-3701 or www.visitsanjuans.com.
-- Carol Pucci, Seattle Times travel writer
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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