Explore Anacortes, Washington: An Easy Day Trip From Seattle
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There are tons of great day trips from Seattle and Anacortes has been on my list since moving to Seattle back in October. Anacortes is one of the best islands to visit near Seattle for many reasons such as it doesn’t require taking a ferry, there are tons of trails and lots of amazing viewpoints where you can see almost all of the surrounding islands on a clear day.
Anacortes is a city in Washington’s Skagit Valley and is the gateway to many other stunning islands off the West Coast of Washington. From Anacortes, you can take the Anacortes ferry to San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Lopez Island, Shaw Island, and even Victoria BC. Anacortes itself is a small coastal town with a quaint downtown area where you can find great dining options, ice cream shops, and a few stores. Aside from the downtown area, there is a historic waterfront, and 50 miles of trails throughout Anacortes including the ACFL (Anacortes Community Forest Lands), which is where the highest peak on Fidalgo Island is located. So whether you’re exploring for just one day or for an entire weekend, Anacortes is full of fun and adventure!
Getting From Seattle to Anacortes
Anacortes makes for a great Seattle day trip because it’s only about 80 miles from downtown Seattle and takes slightly over an hour to drive there. To spend a full day in Anacortes, I left Seattle around 7am and headed straight to the first trail I wanted to hike, which was Sugarloaf Mountain. By the time I finished the Sugarloaf Mountain and Mount Erie trail loop, it was time for lunch. Since we got to Anacortes so early, we were able to get in an afternoon activity as well before we headed back home to Seattle. There are definitely enough things to do in and near Anacortes where you could stay a full weekend and if you’re planning on taking a ferry to one of the islands nearby, I highly recommend staying the night prior in Anacortes because the departing ferries don’t run often and are usually booked up in advance.
Best Things to Do in Anacortes WA
Sugarloaf Mountain and Mount Erie Trail Loop
Both Sugarloaf Mountain and Mt. Erie trails can be hiked separately, but they’re a pretty popular hike to do together. Combined, it’s almost a 5-mile loop with elevation gains of up to 1,200 feet. I’ll admit, it is quite steep in some areas so be ready to take a few breaks along the way and because of this, it usually takes people a little under 3 hours to complete. For those wanting a less strenuous hike but still yearning for great views, I would recommend hiking the Sugarloaf Mountain trail loop first which is 2.1 miles out and back, and then driving up to the Mt. Erie lookout point. Sugarloaf Mountain has wonderful views from the summit and along the way you’ll find lots of wildflowers towards the top of the mountain in the Spring and Summer months. Both of these trails are part of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands and are intertwined with lots of other trails. You can cross over and take the trail down to Whistle Lake as well which would be a great place for a picnic lunch. The view from Mt. Erie can’t be missed when visiting Anacortes so whether you hike it or drive up to the viewpoint, make sure you make time to check it out. On a clear day, you can see the islands scattered across Puget Sound.
Cap Sante Lookout
Cap Sante Park is located on the Northeast corner of Anacortes and is a 37-acre wooded area with trails and a scenic lookout for beautiful views of the Cap Sante marina and surrounding waterways. At the top at the lookout point, there is a parking lot with a few picnic tables so this is another great spot to sit and have lunch or to watch the sun go down.
Book a Kayak Tour
There are tons of activities on Fidalgo Island and in Anacortes that you can do on the water like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and boating. I booked a tour with Anacortes Kayak Tours the day of my trip because I wasn’t sure what the weather would end up doing and we had an amazing time! Anacortes Kayak Tours offers a variety of tours that leave from both Anacortes as well as San Juan Island. From Anacortes, they offer tours that last anywhere from 1.5 hours to 5 hours and even multi-day overnight tours, which I really want to try out! We booked the 1.5-hour tour which cost $49 per person for adults and $39 for kids 12 and under. If the forecast looks perfect, then be sure to book in advance to lock in their Early Bird price of $39 per adult. The 1.5-hour tour leaves near Deception Pass State Park and although you’re not able to paddle under the bridge due to the rough current in that area, you’ll be able to paddle to nearby coves and see an abundance of wildlife and sea creatures from birds to seals, and even porpoises. The tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who tells you what to keep an eye out for and ensures you’re having a great time.
Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass is a well-known narrow, two-lane bridge that connects Fidalgo Island to Whidbey Island (another favorite Washington island of mine). The strait below the bridge is 145 feet deep and the current can get up to 7 knots which is why I mentioned above that you do not kayak through the passageway during your tour. Driving on the Deception Pass Bridge is a must and once you arrive at the Deception Pass State Park which is just past the end of the bridge on the Whidbey Island side, take a walk on the bridge if you dare for breathtaking views of the Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. Head down the stairs at the edge of the bridge to reach the trail that leads down to the beach and make a stop along the waterway for great views of the bridge. Be sure to be on the lookout for whales here too! We had stopped at a lookout point on the way to the beach where you could see the bridge off to your right and we spotted two whales making their way West!
Deception Pass Bridge in Washington
Top Restaurants in Anacortes, WA
Calico Cupboard Old Towne Cafe - this is hands down my favorite restaurant in Skagit Valley! Calico Cupboard has three locations throughout Skagit Valley including one in La Conner, Mount Vernon, and Anacortes. They serve up delicious homemade breakfast and lunch with comfort food options like my favorite, Turkey Pot Pie with fresh flakey crust and Clam Chowder. On top of that they have an amazing baked goods counter with classic and seasonal goodies like homemade snickerdoodles with a fresh raspberry glaze on top.
Union Tavern - This casual spot is great for lunch after a hike, and has outdoor seating so you can enjoy the great weather even more. Union Tavern isn’t your typical tavern or bar, they have a unique and delicious menu including a fantastic BBQ Chicken Flatbread and local beers and ciders on tap.
Dad’s Diner - This diner is a classic in Anacortes and has some of the best burgers on Fidalgo Island! They’re open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch and is a great option if you’re in the mood for classic diner food.
Adrift - Open for lunch and dinner, Adrift offers a menu full of locally sourced ingredients. They specialize in American classics and have great seafood options like Dungeness Crab Cakes, Manila Clams, and Baked Fish with Risotto.
Happy travels!
- Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
