If you have time, sail north from the US San Juans into the Canadian Gulf Islands. The currents are not as tricky, it isn't as crowded, the water is warmer and you can go ashore without problems (US property is deeded all the way down to the low tide mark; Canadians only claim land down to the high water mark -- the beaches are for everyone). Two of my favorite destinations in the Gulf Islands are Telegraph Harbor and Pirates Cove. If you only had more time you could get into really beautiful cruising territory: Desolation Sound. But, that's probably another trip at a later time. I've cruised both Puget Sound and the Gulf Islands (two separate trips) with my family in a 23-foot charter sailboat. We spent two weeks in the San Juans aboard and I was a complete rookie, but I navigated carefully and planned each leg according to the tide/current charts. We had a wonderful experience. One note of caution: use detailed charts and a depth sounder --or ask for advice -- when anchoring. I saw a beautiful yacht teetering on a huge rock after a 15+ foot tide tide went out and left it high and dry.