Guidebook to Anacortes and Fidalgo Island
Sightseeing
Only 3.5 miles away, this is an absolute must! The view of the bridge from the beach, along with the Olympics is amazing. You can also take a swim in Cranberry or Pass Lake, cross the bridge and go down to the water on Pass Island, or hike up to the peak of Goose Rock or Hopus Hill
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Deception Pass State Park
41229 State Route 20Only 3.5 miles away, this is an absolute must! The view of the bridge from the beach, along with the Olympics is amazing. You can also take a swim in Cranberry or Pass Lake, cross the bridge and go down to the water on Pass Island, or hike up to the peak of Goose Rock or Hopus Hill
There is a loop you can walk, bike, or drive with various beaches and look out spots along the way, including a must-see view at the end of Burrows Island and Skyline.
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Washington Park
Washington Park LoopThere is a loop you can walk, bike, or drive with various beaches and look out spots along the way, including a must-see view at the end of Burrows Island and Skyline.
The peak of Mount Erie is absolutely breathtaking. You can hike, climb, bike, or drive up and whichever way you go, you're greeted at the top with a spectacular panoramic view that includes Lake Campbell, Rodger Bluff, the Cascades, the Olympics, Whidbey Island, Camano Island, the Puget Sound, and even the northern parts of Seattle. Especially if the sky is clear when you are here, make the trip up. You won't regret it.
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Mt Erie Park
The peak of Mount Erie is absolutely breathtaking. You can hike, climb, bike, or drive up and whichever way you go, you're greeted at the top with a spectacular panoramic view that includes Lake Campbell, Rodger Bluff, the Cascades, the Olympics, Whidbey Island, Camano Island, the Puget Sound, and even the northern parts of Seattle. Especially if the sky is clear when you are here, make the trip up. You won't regret it.
It's a trip on the ferry, but it might just be the best view in the area. Experienced riders might bike the trip, but most will drive to the observation tower at the peak, with views in many directions. The views stretch from Anacortes all the way up to Vancouver and beyond with Mount Baker acting as the centerpiece. See our Travel Advice for taking the ferry.
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Mount Constitution
It's a trip on the ferry, but it might just be the best view in the area. Experienced riders might bike the trip, but most will drive to the observation tower at the peak, with views in many directions. The views stretch from Anacortes all the way up to Vancouver and beyond with Mount Baker acting as the centerpiece. See our Travel Advice for taking the ferry.
Right next to Deception Pass State Park, Rosario Beach is popular, with a nice hiking trail that leads you to gorgeous views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula, and the headwaters of Deception Pass.
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Rosario Beach
Right next to Deception Pass State Park, Rosario Beach is popular, with a nice hiking trail that leads you to gorgeous views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Olympic Peninsula, and the headwaters of Deception Pass.
Wanna see the house from across the bay? Here's the place to do it! Only a few minutes' drive away, this is the peninsula you see to your left when you look out the window. This park is maintained jointly by Washington State Parks and the Swinomish Tribe, on whose land it sits. Best to go at low(ish) tide. The peninsula does have a narrow spit that connects it to the rest of Fidalgo Island and parts of it can get covered by the high tide. Even then, you can still get across it if you're willing to get your feet a little wet. There are three trails once you get out onto Kiket Island. The central trail is the simplest, but the South and North Trails are where you get the best views. The North trail especially has a bench with a lookout that gives you an absolutely perfect view of Deception Pass Bridge through the trees. Go to the east at the clearing and you'll get out to Flagstaff Point, but obey and pay attention to all posted signs, as part or all of the point may be off-limits.
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Kukutali Preserve State Park Heritage Site
Kiket Island RoadWanna see the house from across the bay? Here's the place to do it! Only a few minutes' drive away, this is the peninsula you see to your left when you look out the window. This park is maintained jointly by Washington State Parks and the Swinomish Tribe, on whose land it sits. Best to go at low(ish) tide. The peninsula does have a narrow spit that connects it to the rest of Fidalgo Island and parts of it can get covered by the high tide. Even then, you can still get across it if you're willing to get your feet a little wet. There are three trails once you get out onto Kiket Island. The central trail is the simplest, but the South and North Trails are where you get the best views. The North trail especially has a bench with a lookout that gives you an absolutely perfect view of Deception Pass Bridge through the trees. Go to the east at the clearing and you'll get out to Flagstaff Point, but obey and pay attention to all posted signs, as part or all of the point may be off-limits.
Island Adventures is our favorite whale watching tour. Recommended to us by a former ferry captain, they sail on a catamaran, which makes it quite stable for anyone who doesn't have their sea legs. The tour is guided by a marine biologist and they guarantee whale sightings. We have taken this tour several times and are never disappointed. Every time you go someplace different.
Note: bring long sleeves and jeans, maybe even a blanket. Even on the warmest days of the year the breeze is strong and cool on your skin.
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Island Adventures
712 Seafarers WayIsland Adventures is our favorite whale watching tour. Recommended to us by a former ferry captain, they sail on a catamaran, which makes it quite stable for anyone who doesn't have their sea legs. The tour is guided by a marine biologist and they guarantee whale sightings. We have taken this tour several times and are never disappointed. Every time you go someplace different.
Note: bring long sleeves and jeans, maybe even a blanket. Even on the warmest days of the year the breeze is strong and cool on your skin.
Restaurants and Places to Eat
Open only during the summer, with a wide, sometimes eclectic selection of ice cream that includes your traditional flavors along with some more...interesting ones as well. Stick around and eat at the benches or bring them back to finish back at the house.
Mad Hatter's Ice Cream
801 6th StOpen only during the summer, with a wide, sometimes eclectic selection of ice cream that includes your traditional flavors along with some more...interesting ones as well. Stick around and eat at the benches or bring them back to finish back at the house.
Probably the best burgers around, with every choice of meat you can think of. (and some you probably can't: ever tried a Gator Burger? You can here!) In addition, they also sell fresh-caught seafood to cook at home.
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Shrimp Shack
6168 State Rte 20Probably the best burgers around, with every choice of meat you can think of. (and some you probably can't: ever tried a Gator Burger? You can here!) In addition, they also sell fresh-caught seafood to cook at home.
Get there before 5:30 Mon-Fri and you can enjoy a view of the marina while you have a delicious three-course meal for $29. Recommend a reservation in the summer, especially if you’re going on a weekend.
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Anthony's At Cap Sante Marina
1207 Q AveGet there before 5:30 Mon-Fri and you can enjoy a view of the marina while you have a delicious three-course meal for $29. Recommend a reservation in the summer, especially if you’re going on a weekend.
Locations in both Anacortes and La Conner. When we want to go out for brunch, this is usually where we go. Fantastic cinnamon rolls and great breakfasts all around.
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Calico Cupboard Old Town Cafe
901 Commercial AveLocations in both Anacortes and La Conner. When we want to go out for brunch, this is usually where we go. Fantastic cinnamon rolls and great breakfasts all around.
City/town information
A quiet town with gorgeous views and lots of small, locally owned shops and stores, Anacortes is most likely why you came here. Browse the shops on Commercial Avenue, hike the trails at Cap Sante, or grab a bite to eat at one of many restaraunts, all the while enjoing gorgeous views of Mount Baker to the east, Guemes Island to the north, and the San Juan Islands to the west.
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Anacortes
A quiet town with gorgeous views and lots of small, locally owned shops and stores, Anacortes is most likely why you came here. Browse the shops on Commercial Avenue, hike the trails at Cap Sante, or grab a bite to eat at one of many restaraunts, all the while enjoing gorgeous views of Mount Baker to the east, Guemes Island to the north, and the San Juan Islands to the west.
Just across the Swinomish Channel from us, La Conner has a quaint downtown with lots of different places to poke your head into.
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La Conner
Just across the Swinomish Channel from us, La Conner has a quaint downtown with lots of different places to poke your head into.
Groceries, etc
It is just a convenience store, but they do have more than you would think. If you need something basic in a pinch, check here before you drive all the way into town.
Harold's Market
6186 State Rte 20It is just a convenience store, but they do have more than you would think. If you need something basic in a pinch, check here before you drive all the way into town.
Safeway
911 11th StWhere we go for most of our groceries.
Think Whole Foods. Lots of high-quality, organic, and locally-sourced options.
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The Market at Anacortes
1519 Commercial AveThink Whole Foods. Lots of high-quality, organic, and locally-sourced options.
Reizigersadvies
Vervoersmogelijkheden
San Juan and Port Townsend Ferries
For the most part, if you're not planning on driving, you don't need to make a ferry reservation. Even during the busiest times there is plenty of room for foot passengers. Paid parking is available on site, and for Port Townsend and Friday Harbor, you can make a decent afternoon without driving anywhere. If you want to take your vehicle, a reservation is best. They can be gotten online, and slots are released at 2 months, two weeks, and two days out. They do fill up so don't wait until the last minute!