Insider's Guide to the Pacific NorthWest Best

After arriving via airplane, bus or auto, we begin our three day tour in the city of Bellingham Washington. Is anybody hungry? Let's stop by the Old Town Cafe:

Visit the Old Town Cafe in Bellingham Washington. We use as many natural, local and organic products as possible and practical. Most items on our menu are made in our kitchen. All of our pastries are made here, many with whole wheat flour and unrefined sweetners. Ask your waitperson for details. http://www.theoldtowncafe.com/

Next we'll go dockside at Squalicum Harbor Gate 7, to visit the Fishing Vessel Desire:

Our family-owned business has been harvesting Alaskan Wild Salmon since 1985, allowing us to engage in what we consider our true life's work. Here are our goals:

To bring this wonderful fish directly to our customers
To teach about wild salmon ecology
To share the benefits of eating this wild creature
To provide information on the handling and preparation of Wild Alaskan Salmon
To share the value in knowing where your food comes from and knowing who caught and processed it
To demonstrate that there is a connection between the consumer and the creature which gives its life for them
Find us dockside at the Fishing Vessel Desire located at Squalicum Harbor Gate 7.
http://desirefish.com/

Learn about the local flora & fauna at the Marine Life Center

The Marine Life Center (MLC) offers visitors a chance to see what lurks beneath the bay. The center showcases marine life and habitat in Bellingham Bay, Puget Sound and on the Washington Coast. A touch pool offers an up close and more personal experience.

http://www.marinelifecenter.org/animals.php

The Chuckanut Manor

The Chuckanut Manor has served the Skagit Valley and surrounding areas for over 50 years. With the help of dedicated employees, the restaurant continues to provide wonderful food, excellent service, lodging and breathtaking views of Samish Bay.

http://www.chuckanutmanor.com/lodging/

Bow Hill Blueberries, Bow Washington
Bow Hill Blueberries

15628 Bow Hill Road, Bow, Washington 98232

(360) 399-1006

On Bow Hill Road.

Look for the big RED BARN and farm store.

http://bowhillblueberries.com/

Take the Washington State Ferry to Orcas Island.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/vesselwatch/TerminalDetail.aspx?terminalid=1

Doe Bay, Orcas Island

Magic Happens Here

(We hear it all the time.)

It may have been a life-changing solo retreat, a reunion that transforms a family dynamic forever, a wedding that made their dreams come true, or a simple vacation of lazy mornings and easy days, but whatever the occasion, our guests say it all the time, and we believe it.

We invite you to visit us and experience the magic of Doe Bay, an icon of the Pacific Northwest.

https://doebay.com/

Wildlife Cycles

While Orcas Island is one of the hillier islands in the San Juans, it still makes for an amazing place to go bike riding. Wildlife Cycles offers bike rentals...

Voted Best Bike Shop in King 5’s 2010 Best of Northwest Escapes

Wildlife Cycles is a full-service independent bike shop, centrally located in Eastsound, Orcas Island, in the heart of Washington’s San Juan Islands. We offer bike rentals, professional repairs and bike maintenance, and sales of new and demo bikes.

Orcas Island Facts

Geography

Orcas is one of the San Juan Islands, located above the northern entrance to Puget Sound, about 85 air miles north of Seattle in Washington state. Nobody seems to agree on how many islands make up the archipelago, but approximately 175 points of land are significant enough to warrant names, and four – Orcas, San Juan, Lopez, and Shaw – stand out as the largest and most populous. Of these, Orcas is the traditionally popular vacation spot, although the others are well worth a visit.

Geographically, Orcas is also the largest of the islands, with a total area of 58 square miles. Its year-round population of 3,500 is scattered across the island, but the small community of Eastsound serves as a hub for commerce and civic life. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, vacationers and the summer-home crowd more than double the island’s population.

Orcas is a favorite Northwest destination for cyclists. More than 50 miles of public roadways loop through the orchards and valleys of the island’s interior, and scenic views from the shoreline lie at the end of almost every route. Washington’s state ferry system makes it easy for riders to get here, and the island offers plenty of opportunities for an active vacation.

The rugged terrain of Orcas makes it popular among cyclists who enjoy a challenging ride. Mount Constitution rises 2,407 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in the San Juans, and riders who tackle the steep road leading to the summit will be rewarded with stunning views of the San Juan Islands as well as the Gulf Islands in nearby British Columbia. Overall, you can’t ride far on Orcas without encountering some tough hills, but the lush rural scenery and towering fir trees make every trip worthwhile.

http://wildlifecycles.com/orcas-island-bike-routes/

Anacortes

Calico Cupboard is a great place for a meal or a snack. You gotta know that's fantastic pie!

http://www.calicocupboardcafe.com/anacortes/

Mt Vernon Skagit Food Co-op

Our produce department was the first to be Certified Organic in Skagit County! We offer our community an incredible selection of fresh, best-tasting, seasonal and sustainably grown organic harvest.

http://www.skagitfoodcoop.com/

Highland Garden House Bed & Breakfast

A budget B & B conveniently located just above the beautiful Skagit Valley in Mount Vernon, WA, Highland Garden HouseBed & Breakfast offers private rooms for travelers and visitors needing lodging atreasonable prices. Our two 2nd floor rooms have great views and the stucco and plaster construction of this house, built in 1930, ensure a quiet and restful retreat.

https://highlandgardenhouse.wordpress.com/

Marysville

HIBULB CULTURAL CENTER

The Hibulb Cultural Center is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM. The Center is a place of learning and a source of civic pride for the Tulalip people and our neighboring communities. We hope that our visitors will be fascinated by our exhibits and learn about our remarkable history and culture.