Camano Island: Your Next Cozy Beach Getaway
An artsy enclave northwest of Seattle offers stellar views and cultural activities
By Cassie Gruber May 10, 2016
This article originally appeared in the June 2016 issue of Seattle magazine.
WHERE: Camano Island, a cozy enclave that’s a little less than 90 minutes northwest of Seattle via State Route 532.
WHY: Beachy charm with a distinct art scene. Matzke Fine Art and Design (matzkefineart.com) features an array of works by up-and-coming, midcareer and established Northwest artists, and includes a unique walk-through sculpture park. Seagrass Gallery (seagrassgallery.com) displays sculptures, glass works and paintings with colorful interpretations of Northwest landscapes.
TREAT YOURSELF: At Cama Beach Café (open weekends only; camabeachcafe.com), delight in the tasty breakfast and lunch options, or go straight to dessert with fresh pie made by bakers who proudly reject canned fillings. (We won’t judge if you spring for the prettily boxed, whole-pie option.)
EXPLORE: Camano Island State Park (stateparks.com), 134 acres of sandy shoreline and lush forest, making for a perfect day trip that’s topped off with stellar views of the surrounding Olympics and Cascades. Want to stick around? The park has 88 tent spaces available on a first-come, first-serve basis and five cabins that can be reserved.
Up the island’s west coast, the Center for Wooden Boats (cwb.org/locations/cama-beach) at Cama Beach State Park offers 33 cabin rentals as well as hourly rentals of canoes, kayaks, sailboats and more.
Follow Us
Victoria, B.C.: A European-Inspired Getaway in Seattle’s Backyard
With gas prices soaring and flights canceled, a little Old World charm is just a boat ride away.
Skip the airport chaos and discover Victoria, B.C., a European-inspired getaway right in Seattle’s backyard. Explore castles, historic pubs, and high tea.
Every Day Is the Weekend in Carlsbad, California
Seven miles of shoreline and a come-as-you-are pace make this coastal city north of San Diego an easy escape.
It was the first night, first dinner, and our server arrived with the calm authority of a man who loves his job. He set down the ceviche and surveyed the room, with locals at every table and the ocean just blocks away, and said it like he was reporting the weather: “Every day is the…
Whitefish Has Range
James Beard-caliber dining, a thriving literary journal, and a bike ride along Glacier’s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road make this old Western Montana railroad town feel bigger than expected.
The first thing we notice at Herb & Omni is the room itself. Dark-beamed ceilings. Gilded mirrors clustered salon-style across the walls. Pendant lights that belong in a Milanese townhouse. The space feels warm, ornate, and transportive. Even the cocktail menu suggests expectations are about to be rearranged. Then the food arrives. A potato chip…
Summer Getaway: The Quiet Side of Jamaica
Perched above the sands of the island’s South Coast, Bluefields Bay is an idyllic destination that feels refreshingly off the beaten path.
Escape to Bluefields Bay Villas on Jamaica’s quiet South Coast. Discover an off-the-beaten-path luxury resort with private pools and personal chefs.