Looking for local knowledge and/or ideas. Thinking of a trip in July for our anniversary. We have never been to the area other that switching smokers at SEATAC. Any ideas or insight is appreciated. My initial idea is maybe a night or so in downtown Seattle and a night or so in the San Juan’s. Or any combination there abouts. We live in the sticks, so staying downtown and a nice dinner is a rarity but I’d like to see the islands and all that too.

Specific questions.

If you’re in piston single, which airport is easy to access downtown Seattle with Uber and park overnight?

What are the must see places in the San Juan’s assuming only one or two days? Wouldn’t need to do any hardcore tourist stuff. Just fly, land, look around type stuff is probably fine.

Thanks for any feedback.

Boeing Field and Renton are both close to downtown.
I'd go out on a limb and say RNT is probably more GA friendly, although maybe a bit farther from downtown Seattle.
Several FBO's, I'd had good luck parking at Rainier Flight Services.

San Juans.... San Juan Island is probably the most touristy.
Friday Harbor KFHR is near town, so more touristy than Roche Harbor WA09 on the north end of the island.
There's a resort, marina, eateries at Roche so that'd probably be my pick for SJ Island.

Lopez (S31) and Orcas (KORS) seem less touristy.
Also harder to get around on after you land.
Orcas has a nice resort south of the airport- Rosario. Seaplanes access.
Lopez has cottages B&B's etc and is pretty nice too.
If you're planning on bicycling I've heard that Lopez is the flattest island and the easiest pedaling.

Lots of attractions in the Puget Sound area.
Aviation museums at Pt Townsend, Boeing FIeld in Seattle, a couple at Paine Field in Everett, Skagit airport in Burlington, Olympia airport.
JUst flying the area is noce- we have mountains, lakes, salt water all within minutes of each other.
And desert / prairie / coulee country just over the Cascades in eastern WA.

Orcas/ Eastsound airport is an easy short walk into town.

G44 wrote:Orcas/ Eastsound airport is an easy short walk into town.

They also have a courtesy car.

G44 wrote:Orcas/ Eastsound airport is an easy short walk into town.

It's also my favorite just because of the mellow vibe of the airport and the little town.

Recently I edited a silly short video of my 2012 trip there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgT7SZUg6Bk ... untrypilot

Orcas has great on airport camping and easy walk to town as mentioned. We got ran out by weather so only got to stay one night. Beautiful place. In fact, we are probably headed there this summer as well.

All great info..... Thanks!!

We used to fly into Friday Harbor then take the Ferry system to all the other island stops ending up back in Friday Harbor. Inter island ferry was free back then, maybe still is, get off catch next one great fun way to see them all..

I'd skip Seattle and just head to the San Juans. You'll find some good food. Have never overnighted on the islands, but likely some nice B&Bs.

We have some truly spectacular sushi in Seattle. Flying into Boeing gives the big city experience nicely. Easy Uber to chow.
I think a room at Roche Harbor would be a home run on an anniversary trip. Darn romantic that one.
Easy to pick another island to camp another night also.
Rooms fill up quick at Roche.
Also, Arlington Fly in is the 6-8th in case you want to see-or avoid the crowds.
Chaz

If you are on San Juan Island and want to see the Orca's from shore, the best view is from the picnic tables at county park around 5'ish. It's been awhile since I've been there, so you may want to check on the time. It was very cool to see the whole pod swim by each night.

You might want to message Redbaron180. He owns a B&B on Lopez Island.
Super great guy. Lives on Airport Road, which is really convenient when flying there.
My wife and I always enjoy flying into Roche Harbor and walking down to the marina.
Hotel, Choice of restaurants, a post office, laundry, grocery store. Plus we enjoy watching
the lifestyles of the rich yachters.
Not sure if your bicyclers but that is a fun way to explore the San Juans.

robw56 wrote:

G44 wrote:Orcas/ Eastsound airport is an easy short walk into town.

They also have a courtesy car.

And courtesy bicycles!

In good weather flying the San Juans is one of the GREAT joys of general aviation.

Not strictly an island but I also endose Point Roberts and Port Townsend.

Fly into KBFI and spend a night. Uber makes it easy to get into/around town. Avoid fueling at BFI.

I spend a good bit of time in the San Juans and Eastsound/Orcas is my favorite public strip. I camp there frequently. Mellow vibe and lots of friendly people. There's a public beach just north of the airport and it's a ten minute walk into town to the south. Check out Island Hoppin' Brewery, a short walk from the airport. The airport has a crew car, consider reserving in advance during the summer. There are also loaner bicycles available. Other good spots are Friday harbor, Roche Harbor, etc. You may want to consider checking out Concrete, a short flight from the Islands. There's a pretty cool aviation museum there. Consider Stehekin on the way to or from the area.

All great info. I should have two folding ebikes with us. So we will use those too.

+1 for Point Roberts and Stehekin!
Both unique spots.
We’re gonna be able to fill your time up in the NW easy!
Might need to keep your actual location quiet or a collection of Maules might rush you.

cdgarg wrote:.... consider checking out Concrete, a short flight from the Islands. There's a pretty cool aviation museum there.....

Chazdevil wrote: +1 for Point Roberts ......

Be advised that the museum in Concrete is in the process of closing.
Their airplanes are being gifted to other museums.
Port Townsend Aero Museum got one already, might be getting another.
Several are going to WAAAM at Hood River.
Concrete is a pretty flight though, great people on the field and a good burger place a short walk away.
And a great fly-in (best one in Puget Sound IMHO) every year in July.

Point Roberts is indeed cool--
get a taste of Canada (eh) without having to deal with the border-crossing red tape.
A cool guy named Robin Lamb used to own that strip, put it back on the chart and was very welcoming.
I haven't been there since he passed away a few years ago, but I haven't heard that it isn't still open to visitors.
Also a pretty flight, and some eateries within easy walking distance.

I visited Point Roberts in Sep w/o incident. There were 3 or 4 other aircraft there. If you do go, pick up flight following from victoria app and they'll transition you through their airspace. I generally head up to Birch bay and cross. The alternative is a fair distance over water at low altitude.

Yeah, check the Seattle sectional --
the Victoria / Vancouver airspece starts about halfway between Orcas Island & Pt Roberts.
You have to stay below the 2500' floor unless you call them up.
That water not very far below you is cold!