Many people buy second homes in and around Anacortes and the San Juan Islands to escape the big city noise and congestion of Seattle or Vancouver. In under 2 hours they can feel the peace and slower pace of our beautiful surroundings.

Whether spending a weekend in a condo, savoring the quietness of a Guemes Island cabin in the summer, or enjoying waterfront views from a quaint cottage in Old Town, Anacortes offers some great getaways. Recreation abounds: Sailing, whale-watching tours, hiking in city forest lands, golfing, bicycling, dock walking, ferry rides to the San Jan Islands and Victoria, Canada.