Anacortes, Washington

Located on Fidalgo Island in northern Washington, Anacortes is all about scenery. You'll be surrounded by an expanse of beauty as you walk along the ocean beaches or take in the spectacular glacier-capped mountains to the east. The best place to for beautiful views is at Cap Sante. There, you can see the boats passing through the Guemes Channel and see Mount Erie and Mount Baker in the distance. Of course, there are many ways to enjoy the outdoors. Sailing, whale watching, mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, kayaking, and rock climbing are just a few of the ways to enjoy the area's natural heritage.

Owing to its beauty, Anacortes has long been a magnet for artists looking for natural inspiration and a progressive community environment. You'll find small galleries selling the works of local painters and craftspeople. The old train station, in fact, has recently been converted into a non-profit art gallery showcasing pieces that fall outside the commercial mainstream. The biggest arts event is the Anacortes Arts Festival. With a juried exhibition, an invitational show featuring renowned painters and sculptors, and displays of works by local artists, the festival is not to be missed. Of course, if that's not enough, there's still the Anacortes Jazz Festival and plays at the Anacortes Community Theatre. The downtown area itself is a canvas – over the last 19 years, a local artist has worked tirelessly to paint downtown buildings with more than 90 murals depicting life in Anacortes.

Besides arts and scenery, Anacortes has great restaurants featuring local seafood and outdoor patios. Located in a sun trough, the city avoids the rainfall that so much of the Pacific northwest experiences. And with Shell and Tesoro oil refineries, Northern Marine Yacht Builders, and Dakota Creek shipyards making their home here, the economy is humming along. Plus, with high-quality recreational programs provided by the city, you're sure to find everything you need. It may be an island, but you definitely won't feel isolated here.

See our 1 Job in Anacortes, Washington