Vacation rental within 2 hours of Seattle (Bellingham, Mukilteo: rentals, condo, vacation home)

[srieth1]

Hello Seattleites! First, big thanks for the invaluable info last summer when we moved here last year. I scoured this forum endlessly.

I have a question I haven't seen asked yet. We have friends coming to visit in July and we want to rent a little house somewhere near water (beach would be great since there will be 3 little ones). Ideally, there would be 2+ bedrooms and 2 bathrooms as there will be 4 adults and 3 kiddos. The goal is to hang out, relax and do nothing. I'd prefer we didn't have to drive more than 2 hours. The problem I've been running into is most places ask for 3 nights to 1 week minimum stay and we can only do 2 nights at most. Anyone know of a great little place that fits the bill?

Thanks!!

[tobester]

Checked Ocean Shores area?

[srieth1]

I have looked at Ocean Shores and it looks really, really beautiful but might be too far out this time around. Google says it's closer to 3 hours. Some day we'll make it out there! Thanks though!

[Inkpoe]

Have you looked into VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner

Since you're asking for the 2hr ride radius: Puget Sound Vacation Rentals by Owner: Waterfront Homes and Cottage Rentals | VRBO

Also check out Whidbey Island... there's plenty of B&Bs in the area. I particularly like Fort Casey.

[jojo7]

I might be partial but Birch Bay might be a good choice. (We just bought a vacation house out there) It's on the Canadian border and sounds like what you are looking for in a relaxing, within two hour getaway. Definitely a small town feel out there but I love it. You can go to Birch Bay Park where and walk along the beach and dig for shells, fly a kite and watch the most amazing sunsets ever. There is a little water park with slides if you are interested in something more touristy (my 11 year old likes it). You can rent bikes from a local shop in town a go for a ride along the bay. It's probably about 30 minutes or less north of Bellingham but there is Birch Bay Square that has a grocery store so no need to travel 30 miles for your groceries. Here are some vacation rentals in the area. Some may rent nightly.

Birch Bay Washington State Vacation Rentals by Owner - Birch Bay Washington State VRBO, Vacation Home Rentals, Condo Rentals, FRBO Vacation Rentals, Birch Bay Washington State Travel Information

Here is also a website on the area for you to browse.

Birch Bay WA - Visit Birch Bay Washington State

Birch Bay Waterslides

Birch Bay Waterslides - Blaine, WA

Birch Bay Park
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission - Park Information


Let me know if you would like additional information.

Good luck!

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

Have you looked into VRBO® is Vacation Rentals By Owner
Since you're asking for the 2hr ride radius: Puget Sound Vacation Rentals by Owner: Waterfront Homes and Cottage Rentals | VRBO
Also check out Whidbey Island... there's plenty of B&Bs in the area. I particularly like Fort Casey.

I second Inkpoe's recommendation! We have rented homes using VRBO on several lakes in the past few years, and while some folks may require a 3- or 7-day stay, not all do. Let us know what you come up with!!!

[SophieAnn86]

I have stayed at the Galer Beach house several times through VRBO. VRBO has a great range of rentals.

[gwix98]

A third recommendation for VRBO, and target Whidbey and Vashon Islands.
Mutiny Bay is great on Whidbey and you can occasionally get two day rentals.

The worst part is the ferry wait which can sometimes be a couple of hours on busy weekends,
however on Whidbey you can always drive north across deception pass to the mainland.

[srieth1]

Thanks for the great suggestions! I have been looking at VRBO, but it'll be great to have a narrower focus. There are so many beautiful places in the PNW to choose from. I think we'll focus on Whidbey Island. My goal is to sit next to the water most of the time, but what are your favorite things to do on Whidbey? Kayaking? Biking?

[gwix98]

Originally Posted by srieth1

Thanks for the great suggestions! I have been looking at VRBO, but it'll be great to have a narrower focus. There are so many beautiful places in the PNW to choose from. I think we'll focus on Whidbey Island. My goal is to sit next to the water most of the time, but what are your favorite things to do on Whidbey? Kayaking? Biking?

There are many things to do including biking and Kayaking which is something
I do as well. My wife and I try to rent a place on the SW side of Whidbey once a year (usually Summer), and enjoy the beach. Beautiful sunsets,
nice beaches (for the NW), and the quaint towns of Langley and Coupeville are always fun to check out. Both have art fairs in the summer. I don't think you can go wrong with a choice of Whidbey. Nice wine tasting places as well if you enjoy that.

Finally there is a nice walk/hike on the west side called "Ebey's Landing" which takes you up on a bluff overlooking the west shipping lanes. Spectacular on a nice day. Drop me your email address and I will send you a photo or two from our last trip there. I live very close to the Mukilteo ferry, so day trips to Whidbey are frequent, but a few days really is nicer!

gwix