You’ve heard it before – getting to Orcas Island and the San Juan Islands is half the fun. While that may be tough to believe, it’s true! The journey to Orcas Island and our Moran State Park glamping sites should be an exciting one so we’ve compiled some tips here to help get your visit to the San Juan Islands off to a brilliant start!
First – you’ve got to book your boat. The Washington State Ferry System began accepting reservations for sailings from Anacortes, WA to Orcas Island so please make one! Even if you think it’s slow season, or midweek, or just not necessary, reserving a ferry boat gives you piece of mind and gets your adventure off to a predictable start.
Knowing which boat you’re on lets you plan your worry-free trip up to Anacortes, WA. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t just show up at the airport and expect to hop on a plane, right?
As you drive up I-5 to the Anacortes Ferry Terminal, there will be lots of places to stop off but we’ll focus on those around and North of the Skagit Valley.
Like Tulips?
Exit off I-5 just before Mt. Vernon onto Fir Island Road. This will connect you to Best Road and you right through the heart of Tulip Country. Of course, Mother Nature gets to determine when the show is best but, generally speaking, you’ll catch some remarkable colors throughout the tulip fields near La Conner, WA April 1st – April 30th. La Conner is a neat little town as well so, if you’re hungry, drop INN for a bite at one of their pubs, cafes or restaurants!
Spot yourself about two hours if you plan to veer off I-5 and check out what’s going on in the Valley and La Conner!
Like Nature?
Of course you do, you’re going glamping! While you’ll get plenty of nature throughout your Moran State Park glamping vacation, Deception Pass is a great place to check out along the way to get a warm-up in. You can learn more about Deception Pass here. It’s 4,134 acres and Washington State’s most visited park so, while you won’t be able to explore the whole place if you’re on a tight schedule, you’ll see the world famous Deception Pass bridge before you even get to the Park Entrance. Note that a Discover Pass is required to enter Deception Pass State Park. If you’re glamping with us on Orcas Island, then you won’t be required to have a Discover Pass to enter Moran State Park because you’ll be our registered guest.
Allow about 45 minutes if you head to Deception Pass to check out the bridge on your way to Anacortes. Note there really aren’t any food options in or around Deception Pass State Park so plan accordingly!
Like Food?
Chances are good that you’ll be hungry right before your Washington State Ferry sailing or right after. Lucky for all of us, Anacortes is a nice little town with lots of good grub to go around!
Breakfast & Lunch
If you’re in the mood for some hearty country fare – look no further than the Calico Cupboard. They’re open daily 7:00am – 3:00pm and feature bakery goodies, soups, salads and sandwiches. Gere-a-Deli is an awesome deli INN town and they’re open Monday – Saturday 7am – 4pm. There’s all sorts of deli case, sandwich, salad and soup options with daily specials. If you’re looking to score a lunch on the run, we recommend that you call ahead and scoop up your sandwiches from Gere-a-Deli for the ferry boat ride.
Dinner
Rockfish Grill and Anacortes Brewery has a really big menu and some great microbrews. INN the summertime, they’ve even got outdoor seating INN their courtyard. Adrift is a classy spot with swell food. Get it? They’re actually open all day so don’t just limit yourself to their dinners: Monday -Thursday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 8:00 am – 10:00 pm and 8:00am – 2:00pm on Sunday.
Old Town Anacortes is the closest of all the diversions. Instead of hanging a left a heading straight to the boat, head straight and slide under the Old Town Arch. The time you’ll need to allow for this ferry diversion all depends on how hungry you are!
So whatever your flavor or fancy, there’s something for everyone to enjoy along the way to catch the Washington State Ferry to Orcas Island! So go ahead and book your glamping site, book your boat and enjoy the ride! If you need some help deciding which glamping site is right for your group – check out our Moran State Park Glamping and don’t hesitate to ring or write!
