Tour San Juan Islands without a car

Q: What's the best way to tackle the San Juan Islands in the summer? Starting point? End point? Can't miss sights/hikes?

A: If you're new to the San Juans, first know this: If you're traveling by car in the summer, you're in for lots of long waits in ferry lines, and it isn't cheap.

You can easily get marooned on Orcas Island if you don't quite make it onto the last boat out at night. Alternatives to consider: Go as a walk-on aboard the ferry to Friday Harbor. It's a fun town to walk around, and there's a good van service (www.sanjuantransit.com) to get you out to the whale-watching park (Lime Kiln), Roche Harbor Resort, the sculpture park at Westcott Bay, the Pelindaba Lavender Farm, English Camp and other sights. Or you can bring a bike, or rent a moped.

Cycling is a great option on (mostly flat) Lopez Island, too, and you might pack camping gear and reserve a site at Spencer Spit State Park (www.parks.wa.gov/parks).

Orcas Island is more challenging to cyclists, but if you don't mind some hills, Moran State Park is a don't miss destination, with scenic lakes and campsites (though you might want to hitch a ride to the top of 2,409-foot Mount Constitution for the spectacular view). See

www.visitsanjuans.com.

Hikes: Mount Young, from English Camp on San Juan Island; the walk to the mausoleum at Roche Harbor; the beach at American Camp, for wide views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympics; various woodsy trails in Moran.

— Brian Cantwell, Northwest Weekend editor