Drive to Anacortes, Wash. It is easy and quite picturesque, making this trip worthwhile even before you arrive at the ferry terminal. Anacortes is on Fidalgo Island, which is, technically, one of the local San Juan Islands (although it is connected to the mainland by bridges from the east and to Whidby Island to the south.) It's a quick 50-mile drive north to Vancouver, British Columbia or a 90-mile drive south to Seattle. Temperate and exploding with back-to-nature activities, Anacortes is a true adventurers' playground.
Purchase tickets to travel between Anacortes and Sidney/Victoria on the Washington State Ferry by phone, online or at the terminal when you go to travel on the ferry. You have the option of traveling on passenger-only ferry service or vehicle ferry service.
Make reservations by telephone. If you wish to make reservations ahead of your actual travel dates, call the Washington State Ferry Service at 1-888-808-7977 from within the state of Washington. Or, 206-464-6400 if you are calling locally from Seattle. Add the long-distance code for calls from any other state or country.
Make reservations online. Bring up the Washington State Ferry website. In the "Most Requested" box on the upper left, click on "Visiting Victoria." Under "Frequently Asked Questions," there is a heading called Victoria, BC. Click on "Travel to Victoria." Where it states that the "WSF Recommends making Vehicle Reservations," click on the word "Online" and it will walk you through the reservation process.
Visit Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. It's like walking back in time. Victoria is a quaint old English town. Nestled at the south end of Vancouver Island, it is the home of beautiful stone edifices in the local architecture and is the terminus for ferries to and from the British Columbia mainland and Fidalgo Island in Washington. Victoria is also a popular stop for passing cruise ships on their journey to and from Alaska.
