Coutesy of Crystal Thompson A small lake on Shaw Island, a part of the San Juan Islands in the northern part of Washington State.

If you are stuck in Seattle over spring break, don't despair. Although you may not return to spring quarter showing off a tropical tan, it is possible to get that vacation feeling right here in Western Washington.

So grab your fleece and flip-flops, and take off to one of these close-to-home spring break destinations.

The San Juan Islands

If you are hankering for a cruise but don't have the funds, just an hour and a half north of Seattle, you can hop on a ferry that makes stops on three major Western Washington Islands.

Each Island is an adventure in itself, and once you have forked over the cash to get on the ferry, all inter-island travel (for walk-ons) is free.

Friday Harbor on San Juan Island is probably one of the most popular destinations in the San Juans. The ferry docks only a couple of blocks from the middle of town.

As the weather gets warmer, it is not uncommon to find street vendors selling taffy and hand-made jewelry, but even when the weather is cooler, there are multitudes bookstores and other shops to be explored.

If shopping isn't your thing, then all of the islands are littered with hiking trails and bike paths. Or you can join in on one of the San Juan's biggest attractions: whale watching.

Try to get a ferry itinerary that stops by Shaw Island. It is nothing more than a ferry dock and a general store, but it is all run by nuns.

Location: Catch the ferry in Anacortes

Courtesy of Crystal Thompson A Japanese garden at the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island.

Cost: About $10 for the ferry

More information: For ferry schedules and directions, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries

La Conner and the Tulip Festival

Every spring, tourists come from all over to see thousands of tulips bloom in the Skagit Valley.

Although the tulips do not usually bloom until late March or early April, there is still much to be seen around the Skagit Valley tulip fields.

The daffodils bloom a couple of weeks before the tulips, so some areas of the fields are already bathed in yellow. And you can buy a bunch of unopened tulips, put them in water, and watch spring begin on your own kitchen table.

If the drive does not sound worth it for a bunch of tulips, there is much more to be done in the town of La Conner.

Grab some clam chowder from the La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib house or some amazing berry cobbler at the Calico Cupboard.

Location: Off exit 221

Cost: The tulip and daffodil fields are free to visit

More information: Visit www.tulipfestival.org

Port Townsend

Port Townsend, which was once a major seaport on the West Coast, is now one of the three remaining Victorian seaports in the country, according to the National Historical Register.

The town sometimes boasts that they get about a third of the rain Seattle receives, and have considerably more sunshine.

So if you are looking to catch some rays, Port Townsend is probably your best bet in Western Washington.

Port Townsend is known primarily for its Victorian architecture and for the arts. The streets are lined with art galleries and many buildings remain intact from the 19th century.

Due to its heritage, every year Port Townsend throws a Victorian festival where you can join in the fun with everything from street theater to shopping Victorian style. This year the festival is March 17-20.

Not far from Port Townsend is the Olympic Game Farm, a drive-through animal reserve where you can get up-close and personal with bison, dear and much more. The animals will actually stick their heads in your car to get the bread you buy at the entrance.

There are also very talented bears that will do pretty amazing tricks for treats.

Location: The animal reserve is in Sequim.

Cost: $9 for the Olympic Game Farm, about $7.50 for the ferry.

Go to www.olygamefarm.com for information on the Olympic Game Farm and www.porttownsend.com for information and directions to Port Townsend.

Bainbridge Island

Bainbridge Island is a good way to get away without actually going very far at all.

One of the main attractions on the island is the 150-acre Bloedel reserve. This reserve, originally owned by the Bloedel family, features many gardens, woods and a bird refuge.

On the bird refuge, one can see swan, great blue heron and kingfishers. The reserve also boasts a Japanese garden, a moss garden, and a "reflection" garden, which surrounds a pond that reflects the garden around it.

The Bloedel reserve is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday and reservations are required.

As the locals on Bainbridge will tell you, don't leave the island without visiting Island Ice Cream and Coffee, only a couple blocks away from the ferry, this ice cream shop is a popular stop for visitors.

Location: Catch the ferry in downtown Seattle

Cost: $10 for the Bloedel reserve, $10 dollars to get on the ferry with a car.

More information: Go to www.bloedelreserve.org for information on the reserve and www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for ferry information.