San Juan Islands and Seattle, Washington
This was our second multi-generational trip, and Washington State ended up being a great fit for our group. We spent our days outside: hiking, biking, looking for orcas, and finding any excuse to be near the water. It had that easy, active rhythm that works well when you’re traveling with a mix of ages.
Anacortes was the surprise highlight, and Roche Harbor made for an easy, comfortable home base. Seattle was a different pace - as expected - but still a fun way to round out the trip.
📍 Jackson State Beach
Day 1: Seattle → Anacortes
Getting There: Flew into Seattle, rented a car, and drove ~90 minutes north to Anacortes
- Easy drive, though traffic leaving Seattle can slow things down
Stay: Majestic Inn & Spa
- One of our favorite stays of the trip
- Great location right in town
- Rooftop views are worth it
Evening:
- Early dinner at the hotel (surpringly good)
- Walked through town - shops, street art, and a fun, local feel
Day 2: Anacortes → San Juan Island
Breakfast: Calico Cupcoard Cafe & Bakery
Morning: John Stovik Playground & Splash Pad
Ferry: Boat ride to Friday Harbor
- Tip: Book tickets in advance and read departure instructions carefully
🏨 Stay: Roche Harbor Resort
- Perfect for our group of six.
- Booked a 3-bedroom unit within walking distance of the harbor and restaurants
Afternoon:
- Explored the harbor
- Stocked up on groceries
- Bocce ball (this became a daily thing)
Day 3: Bikes, Beaches, and Beer
Breakfast: Crows Nest at Earthbox
Morning Activity: Bike ride (Pear Point Loop ~6 miles)
- Rented e-bikes from Cycle San Juan (worth it for the hills)
- Important note: there is no dedicated bike path—you’re riding on the road. It was fine in the end, but had I known this ahead of time, I may not have done it with kids. Fair warning.
Stop: Jackson Beach Park
- Great for rock throwing, wading, and scenery
📍 Jackson State Beach
Afternoon:
- Pool time for kids & grandparents
- Quick break for adults at San Juan Island Brewing Company
Dinner: Madrona Bar & Grill
Evening: Bocce ball (again)
Day 4: Sculpture Park and Orca Watching (Sort of)
Breakfast: Lime Kiln Cafe
Morning: San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
- Adults loved it, while the kids… not so much
- Total time: 30 minutes and one tantrum
Afternoon: Lime Kiln Point State Park
- No orca sightings, but stunning views, dolphins and seal sightings, and easy walking paths
📍 Lime Kiln Poinst State Park
Dinner: Home-cooked meal
Day 5: San Juan Island → Seattle (Fremont)
Morning: Ferry ride back to Anacortes
Lunch: Gere-a-Deli
Afternoon: A little more time in Anacortes (we weren’t in a rush to leave)
Drive: Back to Seattle
Stay: Airbnb in Fremont
Evening: Neighborhood walk, grocery run, and takeout from a local burger joint
Day 6: Seattle City Day
Morning: Pike Place Market
- Browsed shops and grabbed food from various stalls
- Kids Break: Artists at Play Playground & International Fountain
- Bonus: Great view of the Space Needle on the walk back to the car. Overall, a low-stress, high-reward morning.
Afternoon:
- Paddle boat rentals on Green Lake
- Playground stop nearby for one last energy burn
Dinner: Tutta Bella (Wallingford)
Day 7: Travel home
What We Didn’t Get To (But Would Try Next Time)
As with most trips, we didn’t get to everything. These were on our list and still high-priority for a future visit.
Anacortes:
San Juan Island:
Between Anacortes and Seattle:
Schuh Farms (strawberry picking)
Seattle:
Final Thoughts
What we’ll probably remember most from this trip are the smaller moments. The kids were all in on spotting orcas - scanning the water at every stop, especially at Lime Kiln State Park. We didn’t see any, but it kept them engaged the entire time.
The rest of the trip was just as simple. Bocce ball, ice cream, slow evenings, and a lot of time outside. Nothing overly planned, but it all worked.
The Pacific Northwest does a lot of the heavy lifting; it’s just a really beautiful place to spend time.