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Metropolitan Seattle and the area stretching from Everett to Tacoma, including many townships dotting the landscape along the way, and the historically significant Kitsap Peninsula make up the thriving Puget Sound region. Vibrant natural beauty, marinas, filled with shimmering yachts and world-class entertainment make this a highly sought after destination. It’s no wonder locals are known for their zest for outdoor recreation as a virtual adult play ground is found within a short distance in nearly every direction outside these cities and townships.
Stretching from Seattle to the Canadian border, the northwest region of Washington beholds powerful rivers and cascading streams originating from the mighty Cascade Mountain Range. Three main rivers of the region: the Stillaguamish, Skagit and Nooksack flow through lush mountain villages as they descend toward rich valley lowlands eventually meeting Washington’s quaint coastal towns. Wherever you are in this region, you are never far from the mountains or saltwater. In fact, this region is coined the gateway to the Cascade Mountain Range to the east and the San Juan Islands to the west via Anacortes. The lowlands and valleys in between yield stunning produce upon its tranquil farmland that is offered throughout the valley's inspiring restaurants as well as supplying a world-wide market including some of the finest restaurants around the world. It is also home to the largest bulb farm in the world, Washington Bulb Company, where spectacular tulip and daffodil fields extend hundreds of acres in an explosion of brilliant color. The little towns of LaConner and Mount Vernon celebrates this great event annually with The Tulip Festival each spring.
Exploring Washington’s archipelago, known as the San Juan Islands, is what living is all about, according to some enthusiasts. It is an experience onto fresh waters off the Pacific Ocean and into saltry, lush, peaceful harbors where Bald Eagles soar and sea otters play. There are roughly 175 islands that make up the San Juan’s yet only a handful are accessible to the public via Washington’s ferry system. Both Friday Harbor and Anacortes ferry terminals offer routes to British Coumbia’s Victoria, via Swartz Bay. Enroute, Orca Whale pods can be found frolicking in The Strait of Juan de Fuca and at times within the archipelago.
Whidbey Island lies just north of Seattle and is reached by car ferry via Mukilteo, or by traveling further up the cost via stunning Skagit farmlands, and across breathtaking Deception Pass Bridge. Whatever your route, Whidbey Island rewards with a choice of wonderful lodgings, gourmet dining, unique art galleries and gift shops, antiques, wineries, wildlife, coastal villages and hamlets, historical sites and recreational adventures.
The rugged Olympic Peninsula features Olympic National Park – a UNESCO biosphere reserve and World Heritage Site. Over 95% of the park has been set aside as wilderness areas and several thousand acres of protected national forest. This fascinating eco-system consists of a rainforest on the western slope of the majestic Olympic Mountain range that pours up to 160+ inches of rain per year, while the drier slopes or “rain shadow” of the eastern side receives less than 16 inches annually. High mountain lakes, long stretches of raw beaches and vast views of pure nature draw many visitors who believe this to be one of the last remaining opportunities to visit unspoiled beauty within reach of present day communities offering lodgings, restaurants, museums and art galleries.
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From the coastal waterways of the San Juan’s and Puget Sound inland through green pastures and dense forests the Washington Cascade mountain range rises to some of the most spectacular scenery in the lower 48. Countless snow-clad peaks separate lush emerald green western slopes from the dryer timberlands of the eastern slopes. Within this mountainous terrain, one will find glacier fed lakes, crystal clear streams, wildlife and a host of recreational opportunities.
Small towns scattered through rolling wheat fields blend harmoniously into the foothills of the Cascades offering a peaceful and unhurried lifestyle. The Columbia River carves its way northeast to the corner of the state where spacious lakes and mountain resorts thrive alongside this part of the Okanogan. Visitors here are offered a host of recreational opportunities to enjoy year-round.
From the lowlands of the Columbia River where the Pacific coast first came into the sites of Lewis and Clark to the volcanic peaks of the southern Cascades, southwest Washington has something for everyone. Lowlands offer plenty of hiking, biking and boating adventures, rich farmlands, wineries and scenic drive routes with Washington’s Mt. St Helens rising to the northeast and Oregon’s Mt Hood rising to the south providing a spectacular backdrop.
The Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys make up Washington’s most popular Wine Country. (Washington present s more than 400 wineries - most are found in this region). New visitor comforts are popping-up along the Yakima River where small bucolic towns like Zillah, Sunnyside and Prosser are growing with amenities as their wine country draws more and more visitors. The Columbia Basin stretches from Washington’s mid-point at Vantage on the Columbia River to the thriving yet quaint College town of Pullman nestled within the Great Palouse along Washington’s eastern border with Idaho, then curves south to the Blue Mountains.
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