Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 186

Northwestern Washington
& the San Juan Islands
Why Go?
Between Seattle, the Cascade Mountains and Canada lies Washington's most archetypal
region, a 'greatest hits' of the Pacific Northwest. There's the skyline-hogging volcano (Mt
Baker); the wilderness-flecked natural parks (everywhere); the liberal, collegiate city
(Bellingham); the antiresort ski 'resort' (Baker, again); innumerable islands (the San Juan
archipelago); and even a stash of credible vineyards.
The Northwest's urban hub is laid-back Bellingham, while its rural highlight could be
any one of the 200-plus islands that speckle the northern reaches of Puget Sound. Cultural
life tends to be influenced by Vancouver and Seattle, ensuring that the music's electric, the
microbreweries abundant and the coffee aromatic. And wherever you go you'll be sure to
find an abundance of Northwestern cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients, from
wild-caught salmon to the world's sweetest blackberries.
When to Go
Mar & Apr Vibrant flower displays at the Skagit County Tulip Festival.