Anacortes Adventure: Urban Camping with a Twist
This weekend we rolled into Anacortes, Washington, and set up at the shiny new Cap Sante RV Park—our very first taste of “urban camping.” Spoiler alert: it totally delivered!
A little about Anacortes: Nestled on Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is the gateway to the San Juan Islands and a beloved spot for boaters, hikers, and weekend wanderers. Known for its charming downtown, vibrant farmers’ market, and stunning waterfront views, it’s the kind of place where you can sip coffee on the marina in the morning, hike through lush forest trails by afternoon, and finish the day with fresh seafood and a local craft brew.
The park itself was a dream. Only two years old, with paved, level spots, convenient full hookups, and the nicest bathrooms and laundry room we’ve seen so far. Picnic tables sat ready on each site, but the real win? Location, location, location. Right on the marina and just steps from restaurants, Safeway, coffee shops, and all the downtown action—yet somehow quiet and peaceful once the sun went down.
We weren’t alone on this adventure. Our friends Bill and Colleen parked their RV right across from us, while their friends Kevin and Barb joined the fun—Kevin docked his boat in the Cap Sante Marina, so we had land, sea, and RV covered.
Saturday started with a treat: Kevin whisked us away on a boat ride around Guemes Island in the San Juans. Picture-perfect scenery, harbor porpoises, seals, and birds—it felt like we’d stepped into a postcard.
Back on shore, we wandered through the Anacortes Farmers’ Market on our way to the Bier Near the Pier festival. Think craft ciders, local brews, a great live band, and fun pretzel necklaces (thanks, Colleen and Barb).
And then came the food. Oh, the food. Colleen and Barb pulled out all the stops: salmon, steak, freshly caught crab, corn on the cob, and a s’mores bar with a twist—ever tried a lemon curd s’more? Life-changing. The next morning, the Blackstone griddle was working overtime with enough meat to rival Fogo de Chão, and by dinner we were feasting on carne asada, pollo asada, green beans, and Barb’s heavenly apple cake. Safe to say, we’ve never eaten this well “camping.” By the end of the weekend, we were converts. Don’t get us wrong—we still love tucking into national parks and forest hideaways—but this taste of urban RVing? With its mix of creature comforts, walkability, and endless fun? We’re hooked.
Wine of the Weekend: 2018 Domaine La Louvière “La Maîtresse”
One of our favorites that we imported from Europe when we moved back in 2021, the Maîtresse is a solid red blend that is not available many places outside of France. Domaine La Louvière is in the Malepère appellation (Languedoc / Roussillon region) and the “La Maîtresse” cuvée is part of their “Les Tentations” collection, each with its own fun art on the bottle. The blend comprises Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, with spicy character and smooth tannins, and aromas of strawberries, wild berries, and a hint of pepper. On the nose, red and dark berries: wild strawberry, black cherry, subtle spicy edge and a Southern French herbal nuance of black pepper, dried herbs, and warm baking spice, perfect for a chilly sea side evening. With some air, secondary notes of earth and leather, soften the fruit. The fruit that the nose suggests is echoed in flavor, with bold berries, dark cherry, and a bit of plum. The tannins and acidicty are spot on, giving the wine a good finish with enough character to stand up to a hearty meal which happened to be Carne Asada for us.
Food Pairings & Serving Suggestions
Grilled or roasted lamb
Beef dishes
Cassoulet (classic to the Languedoc region)
Pasta with hearty sauces
Blue cheeses
Grilled portobello mushrooms with balsamic glaze and thyme
Dark chocolate (70%+)
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