For spectacular sunsets, Washington's San Juan Islands are second to none. Three hours northwest of Seattle by car and ferry (or a 45-minute seaplane ride) the San Juans continue to beguile a rising tide of visitors. Ride a state ferry through the islands at dusk. Sip on a local Chardonnay and watch the evening light at Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island, www.guidetosanjuan.com.

The Islander Lopez Marina Resort on Lopez Island overlooks Fisherman Bay, famous for its quiet beauty and magnificent sunsets.

On Orcas Island, look out from Mount Constitution's 2,407-foot summit to a panorama of sunset-splashed islands, mountains, and waterways. From the village of Eastsound, take a biplane ride at dusk. Other Puget Sound islands with glorious sunsets include Bainbridge, Blake, Camano, Fidalgo, Lummi, Marrowstone, Vashon and Whidbey.

From a driftwood perch on Waikiki Beach outside Ilwaco on the Long Beach Peninsula, watch the mighty Pacific Ocean crash into the sand while in the distance the Cape Disappointment lighthouse illuminates the sky. Later fly a kite or stroll along the Long Beach boardwalk. Before Valentine's Day, the Port of Ilwaco will transform its regular weekend market into a Sweetheart Market and the Neptune Theater in Long Beach will screen classic romantic flicks. Those sharing a candlelit meal at a fine restaurant will find plump Willapa Bay oysters featured on the menu. 1-800-451-2542 or www.funbeach.com.

LOCALS SUGGEST:

• "Flightseeing" at sunset aboard a prop plane from Roche Harbor, on San Juan Island, www.kenmoreair.com.
• Drive to Whale Watch Park on San Juan Island's west coast for glorious evening light.
• Embrace the Northwest rain - find romance in mist-shrouded island sunsets.