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If you have a travel bug this summer but need to stay close to home, a weekend trip is just the thing to satisfy. Here are three great locations that you can explore on a beautiful weekend in the Pacific Northwest:
Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is a gem waiting to be discovered. It is a long island running north to south, located northwest of Seattle across Puget Sound. Home to a Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island is known for its beautiful hills, beaches, and collection of small harbor towns.
Deception Pass State Park at the northwestern tip of Whidbey Island is home to beautiful trails, clifftop views, and Deception Pass Bridge. You can hike, marvel at the sights, and walk across the 18 story-high bridge to Fidalgo Island. When you develop an appetite from all that walking, you can visit one of the many harbor town restaurants to enjoy just-caught seafood while watching the boats come and go.
San Juan Islands
Even further northwest sits the spectacular San Juan Islands. Each island in this group can offer you a wealth of different experiences. From Moran State Park’s old-growth forest on Orcas Island to the perfect sealife lookout at Lime Kiln Point State Park on the western shore of San Juan Island, the natural beauty is magnificent.
From kayaking, whale-watching, and boating tours, to wine tasting, historical museums, and unique seaside towns, this collection of islands is the perfect place for a weekend getaway—though by the end you might decide to stay! A great place to start off your adventures is in historic Friday Harbor, a bustling and lively town full of shops, restaurants, and opportunities for whale-watching tours.
Camano Island
Just east of Whidbey Island and west of the mainland lies Camano Island. Just over 15.5 miles long, Camano Island is a moderately sized island with moderate weather—the perfect place to get away from daily life.
For some relaxing time to reconnect with nature, try out Camano Island State Park and Cama Beach State Park, both consisting of hundreds of acres full of forest and beach trails. For breathtaking views, Iverson Spit Preserve and Barnum Point lookout over Port Susan Bay and the Cascade Mountains. Camano Island is also home to many artists based in the Pacific Northwest, so be sure to check out some of the local talents while you’re there. You can find unique and awe-inspiring pieces at places like the Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park.
Don’t let your weekends get away from you this summer. If you live in the Stanwood and Camano area, or anywhere in the PNW, pay these beautiful islands a visit!
