One city, three price points: Weekend in San Juan Islands, Wash.

BUDGET

Getting there

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The Center for Whale Research

A female orca, or killer whale, travels with her offspring in waters around the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Tourists can travel on a 55-foot ship out of Friday Harbor for an adventure watching orcas and other whales.

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Jodi Samek / AJC Special

The Annie Mae, captained by Jim Maya, travels the waters of the San Juan Islands on a whale watching cruise.

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www.trumpeterinn.com

Ponds, marsh and meadows border the Trumpeter Inn’s 5-acre tract on San Juan Island, giving guests a good chance to see wildlife.

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Diane Ludeman / AJC Special

Re-enactors on the island prepare for a war that almost took place between the U.S. and Great Britain over a dead pig.

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Starting May 5, AirTran offers seasonal service to Seattle with rates starting at $159. From Seattle, Kenmore Air offers three daily flights to Friday Harbor Marina starting at $95 each way. kenmoreair.com

Stay

Lakedale Resort offers campsites for $19 in May. The 82-acre resort also offers upscale camping in “Out of Africa”-style canvas cabins with linens and sleeper sofa. Starting at $149 (based on family of four) May 1-Sept. 30, with breakfast. 4313 Roche Harbor Road, 360-378-2350, www.lakedale.com.

Eat

Patrons at Vic’s Drive-In, an island institution for fast-food fare, order breakfast to dinner (sandwiches, baskets, burgers) to espresso at the counter, starting at $2. Closed Sundays. 25 Second St., Friday Harbor, 360-378-8427.

Experience

Areas around the former camps of American troops are some of the last remaining natural prairies in the region. Find out why it was here in 1859 that our troops nearly went to war with Great Britain over a dead pig. Take a ranger-guided hike, www.nps.gov/sajh. From land, spot whales at Lime Kiln Point State Park, April-August. www.sanjuanislandtrails.org.

MODERATE

Getting there

Fly into Seattle, then rent a car and drive 90 minutes to Anacortes and then onto a Washington state ferry to Friday Harbor, about $60 round-trip for two adults with vehicle. www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

Stay

The Rosemary and Bay Laurel rooms at the Trumpeter Inn are $150 April 1-May 21 and Sept. 13-Oct. 31; $194 May 22-Sept. 12, with gourmet breakfast. The 5-acre estate is surrounded by ponds, meadows and marshlands visited by wildlife. 318 Trumpeter Way, 360-378-3884, www.trumpeterinn.com.

Eat

Multiethnic choices at the Backdoor Kitchen range up to $31. 400b A St., Friday Harbor, 360-378-9540, www.backdoorkitchen.com.

Experience

The 10-by-15-mile island is perfect for bike or moped rentals. Take it slow along rural roads to take in views of vineyards, wildflowers and wildlife. Moped rentals $30/hour; $65 day. Two-man mopeds (experience required) $60/hour; $130 day. www.susiesmopeds.com.

SPLURGE

Getting there

From April to October, fly aboard a seaplane from Seattle to Friday Harbor and onto a 55-foot ship for a whale watching adventure. Adults $295; $269 children ages 2-11. www.sanjuansafaris.com

Stay

A canopy of evergreens leads to Wildwood Manor, a romantic B&B. The San Juan Suite has sweeping views of the water and mountains and an Italian-tiled bathroom. Rates with a three-course breakfast are $275 May 1-Sept. 30; $205 Oct. 1-April 30. 5335 Roche Harbor Road, Friday Harbor, 360-378-3447,

www.wildwoodmanor.com.

Eat

Newly opened Coho serves fresh-from-the-farm Pacific cuisine. Try the hazelnut-encrusted lavender chicken. Up to $35. 120 Nichols St., Friday Harbor, 360-378-6330, www.cohorestaurant.com.

Experience

The San Juan Transit Co. offers guided tours to island attractions. (www.sanjuantransit.com) Enjoy a scenic flightseeing trip with panoramas of Orcas, Victoria, Vancouver and Lopez islands, Roche Harbor and the Olympic Mountains. $175 per half-hour. 1-800-874-4434, www.sanjuanairlines.com.

Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.

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