Hop on the shuttle bus, which meets the ferries, to get around San Juan Island or Orcas. (Photo courtesy of San Juan Islands Visitor Bureau.) <\/p>\n
If youve taken a car to the San Juan Islands in summer, youve probably sat and fumed in the long ferry line, especially on weekends. <\/p>\n
Here are some ways to avoid the crush by going to, and getting around, the bucolic Washington islands car-free for the summer season. (Or for those who need or want to take their cars, vehicle reservations may be on the way, possibly starting in the fall\/winter of 2014.) <\/p>\n
Take the island bus. Walk on the ferry from Anacortes to San Juan Island or Orcas Island, and walk off onto a shuttle bus, called the Scenic Byway Explorer that meets ferries at the terminals on both islands. The bus shuttles to popular spots on both islands with a hop-on, hop-off service. There are three routes on San Juan Island and one on Orcas Island. Fares range from $5 for a single bus ride to $15 for a day pass, and a 2-for-1 special is available under certain conditions. The shuttle began running in mid-May for the summer season on San Juan Island; it begins on Orcas on June 21 and runs daily into September on both islands; see San Juan Transit for more info. Taxis also are available and some hotels\/resorts may do ferry pick-ups. <\/p>\n
(Wondering about the San Juan Islands Scenic Byway after which the shuttle bus is named? Its a state-designated sightseeing route.) <\/p>\n
A ferry at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. (Alan Berner photo \/ The Seattle Times.) <\/p>\n
Bike: Park your car and take your bike on the ferry (or rent a bike on the islands). Biking is fun on the San Juans; its not too hilly and the distances are not daunting. <\/p>\n
Parking, ferry rates: For ferry ratesand where to park in Anacortes, click here. <\/p>\n
Take the Clipper <\/p>\n
ClipperVacationshas ferry service from downtown Seattle to Friday Harbor on passenger-only catamarans, with daily service in the summer season (from mid-May to Sept. 8). <\/p>\n
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Originally posted here: <\/p>\n
Getting to the San Juan Islands car-free<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hop on the shuttle bus, which meets the ferries, to get around San Juan Island or Orcas. (Photo courtesy of San Juan Islands Visitor Bureau.) If youve taken a car to the San Juan Islands in summer, youve probably sat and fumed in the long ferry line, especially on weekends Continue reading