San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are accessible by ferry from Anacortes, a 90-minute drive north from Seattle, or by seaplane or small airplane. Inter-island travel between Orcas, Lopez, Shaw and San Juan islands is also available by ferry or water taxi. Friday Harbor offers kayaking, whale-watching tours and day sailing trips from San Juan Island while Orcas Island features 5,000-acre Moran State Park with 30 miles of hiking trails and 2,400-foot Mount Constitution, according to the islands' visitors site. Lopez Island is the first ferry stop and features a 29-square-mile rural landscape ideal for a bicycle tour. Shaw Island is the most guarded by residents and has few amenities to offer tourists.
San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 1330
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
360-378-9551
visitsanjuans.com
Burke-Gilman Trail
three guys jogging image by Tammy Mobley from
Fotolia.com
Created from a former railroad track, the Burke-Gilman Trail (BGT) spans 18 miles from Shilshole Bay in Seattle to Bothell where it connects to the Sammamish River Trail to points east, according to King County. Jog, walk, bike, skate or stroll the BGT for the day and enjoy views of Lake Union, several residential neighborhoods, Lake Washington and the University of Washington. Stop for lunch at Gas Works Park on Lake Union or Matthews Beach on Lake Washington or continue to Bothell and dine at one of the downtown cafes. Several access points are available along the BGT, with parking available for the day.
Burke-Gilman Trail
King County Parks
201 S. Jackson St., No. 700
Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-8687
kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/trails/regionaltrailssystem/burkegilman.aspx
Chuckanut Drive and Bellingham
In the northwestern corner of the state, 12-mile Chuckanut Drive provides a scenic alternative to Interstate 5 along the rocky coast of Chuckanut, Samish and Padilla bays. The drive begins in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham and winds south, features several overlook viewpoints and passes through two state parks. Stop at Bay View State Park for a picnic or a walk on the beach or hike up to eight miles to a mountain lake at Larrabee State Park. Bicycles are allowed at Padilla Bay Shore Trail, a 2.2-mile path that also allows leashed dogs. Begin or end the drive in Bellingham, a waterfront community with kayak tours, fishing charters, beaches, horseback riding, golfing and miles of biking and hiking trails.
Chuckanut Drive Merchants Association
P.O. Box 87
Bow, WA 98232
chuckanutdrive.com
