San Juan Islands & Canada

[JanetRose]

We will be in Seattle this summer and my daughter would like to travel to both Canada and the San Juan Islands.

Would that be easy to do in one trip-traveling to both places?

 

[akcire]

You can take a boat from Seattle to Victoria and I believe also Vancouver.

I really like Victoria, and the boat dock is near the city center.

Don't forget your passports.

 

[Carina]

There is a ferry from Anacortes WA (part of the San Juan Islands) to Sidney BC, which is just 15-20 mins from Victoria BC on Vancouver Island

Victoria is a BEAUTIFUL small city and the capital of British Columbia.

My mom and I stayed in a Bed and Breakfast in Anacortes when I was 19, I dont remember much except the scenery was beautiful on the drive from there to Seattle. Much like it is here on Vancouver Island. And that it was an easy drive (My mom is not the adventurous type on road trips and had no problem navigating) It's a trip I would like to re-do with my family, but it never seems to make it to the top of the to-do list.

The other ferry (BC ferries) from Vancouver to Victoria dosent actually put you in Victoria. Its called the Swartz Bay ferry and its on the far side of Sidney - with ferry traffic it's about a 25-30 min drive to Downtown Victoria.

Considering Ferries are not cheap and you already need to take one to get to the San Juan Islands it would make little sence to go on and off the San Juan Islands via the Washington Ferry system then drive to Vancouver.

It would be more logical ( and MUCH MUCH more scenic) to take the Anacortes WA to Sidney BC Ferry, poke around the Victoria area, then take the BC Ferry from Victoria/Swartz Bay to Vancouver/ tsawwassen and drive back to Seattle from there.

The BC ferry actually deposits you outside Vancouver, its very close and easy to get to the border from there. You literally drive off the ferry, stay on that road for 10 ish mins turn right on hyw 99 which becomes the I-5 as you drive over the border and that will take you right to Seattle. - Now if you venture into Vancouver thats a different story, but dont let the fact that I have suggested a different route back make you think it would be harder or more of a bother. (which is why I gave such specific directions back)

Sidney is also where the Victoria Airport is ( not that it matters but just as a point of reference)

P.S. The Anacortes to Sidney Ferry does not run in the winter, so there is no schedule information on their website right now ( was just looking at it the other day) but it will be updateed by the spring.

(The Passenger Ferry from Seattle is called the Clipper - it will drop you off right downtown Victoria)