One of the best kept secrets about San Juan Island is visiting during Winter, when you have the beaches to yourself and it rains only half as much as in Seattle. Here is our guide for your Winter road trip to San Juan Island, complete with insider tips:
Where to Stay
The Earthbox Inn & Spa in Friday Harbor is the only hotel on the island with an indoor heated pool, sauna and hot tub, perfect after a day of hiking or before treating yourself to a soothing massage at their cute day spa. Or check out the historic and super romantic Bird Rock Hotel, just two blocks from the ferry landing, with 15 unique rooms, many featuring two-person jetted tubs, fireplaces and harbor views.
Insider Tip: Take advantage of the amazing Winter Specials these hotels are running.
Where to Eat
For a fancy night out, treat yourself to Downriggers on the waterfront, with its cozy bar and amble seating, reliable service and excellent Pacific Northwest fare. Don’t miss uncomplicated lunch or dinner at San Juan Brewery. Catch some live music and delight in their well-made ales and beers. If you are coming for a special occasion, check out the charming farm-to-table COHO Restaurant, open on all holidays, often featuring themed dinners and wine pairings.
Insider Tip: Take a cooking class at COHO (food and fun included) and learn to make a three course local, seasonal feast from the very best.
Galleries & Museums
Friday Harbor has three acclaimed museums and seven galleries and you can walk to all of them. Start at the Whale Museum, a remarkable natural history museum of our Resident Orca killer whales. Take in the charming Museum of Art, displaying local and regional art. Meander through the grounds of the open-air Historical Museum a few blocks away and see such gems as the first county jail.
Insider Tip: Support the Whale Museum by getting your souvenirs from their absolutely adorable gift shop.
Wildlife & Birding
The waters around San Juan Island are not only on the whale migration superhighway, but also on the Pacific migratory bird flyway, making Winter wildlife watching on the isle absolutely fabulous. Explore San Juan Island’s south around Cattle Point Lighthouse for some unforgettable birding. Head to Lime Kiln State Park, one of the best places to see Orcas from land in the country.
Insider Tip: Next to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse find an interpretive display with a button. Press that button and hear live what’s going on under the water in front of you.
Best Beaches
Jackson Beach is just a mile from Friday Harbor. This pretty driftwood and pebble stone beach features a shelter, barbeques, picnic benches and a bathroom. On a stormy day treat yourself to wild South Beach, the isle’s longest beach. Watch otters, foxes, sea lions, eagles and maybe even a family of Orcas while not seeing another human soul for miles.
Insider Tip: If it’s just too windy on South Beach, cross the road and hop on over to 4th of July Beach, which is sheltered by forest and calm even on a stormy day.
Must-do-Hikes
Find the Mt Young trailhead at English Camp National Historical Park. It’s a steep mile and a half to the top with unforgettable views. At Lime Kiln Sate Park go north along the cliffs and come to a rebuilt lime kiln, go further and enter a strange land of lime quarries in the deep woods. On South Beach go north, explore the prairie and its wildlife and find secret beaches.
Insider Tip: Treat yourself to a lovely seafood lunch at the Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm near English Camp