Friday Harbor and San Juan Island are known for their legendary whale & wildlife watching, bustling Summer festivals and fairs, hiking & biking, boating & kayaking, elaborate outdoor weddings and fantastic farms. Not so well known is San Juan Island’s secret season from September through February, when the hotels and restaurants offer enticing specials, you’ll have the beaches to yourself, and it rains about half as much as in Seattle.

How to plan such a trip? Is there enough to do? Check out this Spontaneous, Fun, Secret Season Itinerary from happy guests at the Bird Rock Hotel.

Before you go: Bird Rock will take a brief beauty sleep in January and will re-open in February. Their fun sister hotel, the Earthbox Inn & Spa, is open year-round.

Cover photo courtesy of Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching.