Spring shakedown to La Conner
Several years ago we wrote a post Sweating the Swinomish and it may be worth reading since the strategy hasn’t changed. Boaters should stick to the channel, obey the channel markers which reverse just north of La Conner, and be aware of the state of flow and how to predict it.
La Conner has a reputation as a romantic get-away destination. And with its waterfront boardwalk, boutique atmosphere and resorts with cozy fireplaces and hot tubs, it is indeed that. But boaters with friends or extended families aboard, might be considering activities not quite so romantic.
Though, this month, April, is Tulip Festival month, with nearby tulip farms, gardens and u-pick fields. The four unique farms can be be visited by car, a bus tour or by bicycle if you dress for the weather and cycle the mostly flat roads. There’s a Tulip Parade on April 11, and you might want to book a spot at the La Conner Marina for that weekend.
About 20 nautical miles from the San Juan Islands, La Conner is a day sail away, though if you live in Puget Sound, you might be looking at two days depending where home port is. Canadians planning a trip can clear customs at either Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor on San Juan Island or at Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes.
Dining experiences abound, including the La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib House, and the well-known Nell Thorn which offers up artisanal, sustainable farm-to-table northwest fare with craft cocktails and microbrews on tap, to name a few. There are bakeries, cafés, a winery, and if those don’t tempt you, visit the iconic Ice Cream Tower.
There’s a popular museum of quilting and fiber art, an art museum, historical museum, a large and popular antique store and a vibrant arts community.
Public municipal floats provide transient moorage on a first-come basis, while the marina has two docks for visitors, one requiring pre-booking and one that operates on a first-come basis. When pulling up to a dock or the public floats, approach with your bow into the current.
Stay safe.
La Conner and the Swinomish Channel are covered in the Puget Sound section of the Salish Sea Pilot cruising guide.
