SAN JUAN ISLAND NEWS & PHOTOS
San Juan Island’s food scene, with its many, cozy and stunning Farm-to-Table restaurants, is a delicious delight especially in bountiful Autumn. Pair that with three museums and seven galleries in walking distance to the ferry in Friday Harbor alone and you have a weekend itinerary practically planning itself.
Find inspiring tips on how to savor your Food & Art Weekend on San Juan Island in this lovely travel blog from a happy guest at Bird Rock Hotel.
Fresh ideas come when you are inspired. Team bonding happens when you have genuine fun. Company commitment increases when your team members feel heard and valued. True innovations are often the result of playing around and thinking outside of the box. Especially for remote teams, coming together in work and play can change your corporate culture continuously.
Give your team the gift of a San Juan Island retreat, the time to unplug and reflect on what is working well and what’s next. Find out here Why your next Corporate Retreat should be on San Juan Island.
Friday Harbor and San Juan Island are famous for their pristine nature, renowned whale & wildlife watching, lively art scene and island grown cuisine. There is more to be known though. Here, in no particular order, some fun and weird facts about the isle’s rich & quirky present and past:
San Juan County enjoys the largest ferry system in the US. Washington State acquired privately owned ferry fleets in the early 20th Century with the intention to run ferry service only until cross-sound bridges could be built. However, these were not approved and never constructed, so the Washington State Department of Transportation continues to run the ferry system to this day.
San Juan County was the first county in the US to ban jet skis and to implement a voluntary “leave no trace” area. We were also forerunners in banning Styrofoam to-go containers, as well as GMO crops.
The Pig War (1859 - 1872) on San Juan Island was the last time British and American troops opposed each other on U.S. soil. Two stunning National Historical Parks on either end of the island pay testament to the ensuing peaceful occupation by both forces. Enjoy the Pig War and 19th century life re-enactments at English Camp National Historical Park every Saturday during the Summer.
Our county has more miles of shoreline and nesting Bald Eagle couples than any other county in the US. Bald Eagles were on the brink of extinction in the late 20th century, but made a remarkable come-back and were removed from the Endangered Species list in 1995 and instead placed on the list of Threatened Species.
San Juan Island has no rivers, traffic lights, squirrels or fast-food chains, but does have several freshwater lakes, a roundabout, otters and over 40 restaurants in walking distance to the Friday Harbor ferry dock.
Every October, trumpeter swans migrate 2,000 miles from Alaska to spend their Winters, among other places, in the San Juan Islands. Trumpeter Swans are the heaviest living birds in North America and mate for life.
In the 70’s, when San Juan Island was overrun by approximately one million rabbits, due to escapees from a former breeding operation, a popular tourist attraction was to trap and shoot the island bunnies. Today you’ll find bunnies on the prairie of American Camp National Historical Park, where they are kept in check by foxes and eagles.
Only 20 of the 428 islands in the San Juan Island’s archipelago are inhabited. 172 are named, four are served by the Washington State ferry.
You can adopt an orca from the Friday Harbor Whale Museum. Adoptive “whale parents” enjoy free admittance to the museum, monthly whale updates and a personalized adoption certificate, biography and genealogy chart of the adopted whale. Proceeds from the adoption program go directly to stewardship, education and research.
The beautiful cover photo of the ferry is provided courtesy of Anne Dubert
San Juan Island was designated in 2009 as one of the 25 stunning Scenic Byways in Washington State. Easily explored in one day by car or bike and accessible year-round, the breathtaking route takes you by farms and vineyards, the Sculpture Park, the Whale Watch Park and both National Historical Parks on the isle.
The above photo is of Jakles Lagoon on Griffin Bay in American National Historical Park, a haven for nesting seabirds, sea lions and seals. Pickett Lane leads to South Beach, on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Island’s longest beach with views of the snow-covered Olympic Mountains.
When is the best time to see whales? Do I need a passport? Are there bears on the island?
All excellent questions when planning your first trip to gorgeous San Juan Island, nestled in the Salish Sea, just south of the Canadian border and known for having one of the most diverse eco-systems on the planet. Before you go, get all the answers to your Most Frequently Asked Questions about San Juan Island and more in this comprehensive article from our friends at the Bird Rock Hotel.
When the rains return to Seattle and the Summer toys get put away, when there is nothing left to do in the garden, then it’s time for a secret season getaway to San Juan Island. Only 65 miles north of Seattle, WA and south of Vancouver, BC, the isle is easily reached and yet a world away. Stunning natural beauty, phenomenal wildlife, breathtaking art, culture and outstanding food await. Check out these fun ideas on what to do in this comprehensive article 10 Reasons to visit San Juan Island in October.
Let’s face it…visiting an island is more expensive than staying on the mainland. For one, everything needs to be shipped or flown over. In addition, taxes, wages, property and utilities, especially drinking water, are a lot higher. So what’s a budget traveler seeking a San Juan Island getaway to do? Easy! Visit in beautiful Fall, take advantage of shoulder season specials and know about all the breathtaking places and fun things to do, which are free as the birds.
Here is your comprehensive insider guide to visiting San Juan Island on a budget!
The Washington State Ferry runs year-round, several times per day, from Anacortes to Friday Harbor. Ferry fares are less expensive in Fall, Winter and Spring and are always round-trip. You can either walk on the ferry or drive your car. If you opt to travel without your car, you can park it in Anacortes and walk on for under $15 per person (without a reservation). If you bring a car (under $55 for car and driver), reservations are recommended, but not quite as necessary as during Summer travel times.
Insider Tip: Carpool with friends or another family to keep costs down
Almost all hotels on San Juan Island run amazing specials in the shoulder season. The Earthbox Inn & Spa in Friday Harbor, conveniently located 3 ½ blocks from the ferry terminal, offers rooms as low as $129 in October. Earthbox has the added benefit of having the only heated, indoor pool on the island as well as a sauna, hot tub and exercise room. The hotel also features a full-service, on-site spa, free parking, free wifi and free coffee and tea in the lobby all day.
Insider Tip: Take advantage of the free Beach Cruiser Bikes and ride to San Juan Vineyards, three miles out of town, for a wine tasting.
Explore the two National Historical Parks and their numerous, breathtaking hikes. Look for whales and wildlife at Lime Kiln State Park, also known as the Whale Watch Park, one of the best places to see whales from land in the world. Go beach combing and observe over 200 seabirds calling the island their home.
Insider Tip: Have a bonfire and watch the sunset at South Beach, San Juan Island’s longest, wildest beach.
Check out the funny and adorable looking Alpacas at Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm and stop by San Juan Vineyards for a weekend wine tasting. Visit the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Friday Harbor to listen to free live music, browse farm, arts and craft stands and for a quick bite to eat.
Insider Tip: On a clear evening, visit the Pelindaba Lavender Farm’s gorgeous grounds dotted with sculptures. Bring a blanket and gaze at stars.
Stroll the seven galleries within walking distance of the ferry terminal in Friday Harbor. Don’t miss a visit to the San Juan Sculpture Park on the north end on the isle, displaying over 150 national and international sculptures on 20 spectacular acres.
Insider Tip: If you have artistically inclined kids, take advantage of the free Family Art Days at San Juan Islands Museum of Art every Saturday through December.
Share a hearty breakfast at Rocky Bay Café or the Hungry Clam, both known for their generous servings. Buy the makings of an uncomplicated picnic lunch - a loaf of fresh bread and a bottle of wine from San Juan Bakery, cheeses and charcuterie from San Juan Bistro and some smoked salmon and smoked scallops from Friday Harbor Seafood at the port – and feast al fresco at your favorite beach overlooking the Salish Sea.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the Bite of San Juan on October 27, at Brickworks, showcasing San Juan Island’s fabulous chef’s and the island grown food for their unique concoctions. Bites start at $3.
Savor the San Juans, from September 21 to November 9, is San Juan’s Fall festival for all senses. From Farm tours and wine tastings, restaurant and lodging specials to our very own Film Festival and exciting new art exhibitions, the island exhales after a long, beautiful Summer and shows off its harvest bounty.
In Friday Harbor you’ll find three Museums and seven art galleries in walking distance to the ferry dock, each one worth a weekend visit alone. Among them the fantastic Waterworks Gallery on 315 Argyle Avenue, showcasing contemporary art and jewelry, inspired by the Pacific Northwest.
Above picture is of a watercolor by the talented Daniel Finn. His work can be found at Waterworks Gallery and Café Demeter.
It’s no secret, the waters around San Juan Island are one of the best to see Orca Whales in the wild. Our community deeply cares about their well-being, habitat and environmental challenges. The native Lummi tribe even considers them their relatives. No wonder San Juan Island has so much more to offer than just whale watching. There are abundant resources to learn about the black fish and to get involved. To experience everything Whale on San Juan Island, please enjoy this lovely article on how to have a Whale of a Weekend on San Juan Island.
After a day of beach combing, kayaking, whale watching, climbing mountains, seeing a seal and an eagle up close and visiting the Sculpture Park, the troops are hungry! With over 40 restaurants within walking distance to the ferry to choose from, finding the place which serves something everybody will eat and fast, can be an (admittedly very delicious) challenge. Luckily our friends at the Earthbox Inn & Spa have shared their kid-tested and approved 5 Best Places to Eat with Kids in Friday Harbor. And pssst, there is an ice cream shop on the waterfront offering 75 flavors, for a nice after dinner stroll on the docks.
