Trip Idea: Washington's San Juans

Scattered throughout northern Puget Sound off the coast of Seattle reside the 700 or so islands that make up the San Juans. They vary from wave-washed islets to larger forested and grass-covered islands. Most are rugged and wind-swept, providing crucial habitat for resident wildlife. Grassy isles are popular nesting spots for seabirds, including gulls and cormorants. Rocky beaches and reefs draw harbor seals to rest and birth. The deep channels surrounding the islands are frequented by Stellar sea lions and orca, humpback, gray, and killer whales.

Photo Credit: Sucia Island, San Juan Islands, Washington (Karl Weatherly)

Top 4 Cheap West Coast Escapes

Take a trip to the sunset coast on a shoestring budget with these ideas:

San Francisco
The City by the Bay isn’t exactly known for its wallet-friendliness, but a trip here doesn’t have to break the bank. Take plenty of free walking tours, gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge (or walk across it!), enjoy free admission to Alcatraz (though you’ll have to pay for the ferry ride there), try the area’s abundant—and excellent—ethnic food, and ride a cable car for just $3.

San Diego
San Diego’s best asset is its scenery, and it’s free—so take advantage of it! Visit one of the city’s many beaches or parks, and buy discounted admission tickets to attractions like the San Diego Zoo at the San Diego Visitor Information Center.

Seattle
Visit the famous Pike Place Market—you can stay all afternoon without spending a cent, except perhaps on some tantalizingly fresh food. Score a CityPass for discounted entry into the Space Needle, boat tours on the Puget Sound, and other attractions.

Portland
Try a hostel or boutique hotel for cheaper digs, rent a bike (the area is very cyclist-friendly), check out Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens from a bird’s-eye vantage point on a $4 aerial tram ride, and check out the famous Powell’s Books flagship store.

-- Text by Meagan Francis

Photo credit: Alcatraz, San Francisco (John A. Martini/Alcatraz Cruises)

Top 4 Nature-Loving Family Road Trips

Spring is in the air, which means it's time to get outside! Scenery and back-to-basics family fun take center stage on these cheap, outdoorsy family road trips:

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Amid the backdrop of the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, this 105-mile stretch of highway (itself a section of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway) is dotted with exits to kid-friendly hiking trails. Inexpensive campgrounds and cabin-style resorts make for a budget-friendly family vacation.

Asheville, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee
This beautiful two-hour drive passes right through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Campgrounds are plentiful in the area, as are laid-back lodging options like cabin rentals and motels.

Seattle Weekend Escapes: Whidbey Island

Situated in Washington’s Puget Sound, Whidbey Island is the longest island on the Pacific flank of the lower 48. Known for its small-town charm, natural beauty, and breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains, this is a place where outdoor sports and campgrounds are just as popular as romantic B&Bs and antique shops. Whidbey is located 25 miles northwest of Seattle, and only two hours' drive south of Vancouver, Canada; access is possible via road bridge or ferry.

Photo credit: Galveston, Texas (Lee Deforke/courtesy, Galveston Convention and Visitors Bureau)