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The San Juan County Park on San Juan Island

This 10-acre gem on San Juan Island’s westside is not only the only place to camp on the isle’s waterfront, it is also one of the best places to launch your kayak, paddle board or small boat. A grassy bluff dotted with picnic tables divides the two beaches and is the perfect place to watch whales, have a picnic or enjoy a ball game. The friendly park staff even offer kids’ activities during the Summer months. On Friday evenings during Summer the Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center holds wildlife talks at 7:00pm.

5 Hidden Gems on San Juan Island you didn’t know existed

Sometimes we yearn for a weekend getaway to a place we know will generate beautiful memories and offer the comfort of familiarity. Other times we want to explore, see new places, and do new things. San Juan Island offers it all: dinner at our favorite restaurants, whale watching at the famous whale watch park and then hikes you never knew existed. Find 5 Places you didn’t know existed on San Juan Island here.

The Best Cocktails in Friday Harbor!

For our friends at the Earthbox Inn & Spa, providing unrivaled customer service and knowledgeable concierge information is the absolute highest priority.  In an effort to really know who serves the best cocktails in gorgeous Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, they took it upon themselves to investigate in person. See the stunning results of their extensive research in this article Friday Harbor’s best Cocktails and where to find them.

Independence Day on San Juan Island

Ring in the Summer in style and celebrate the true values of our country with the old-fashioned 4th of July celebrations on adorable San Juan Island. Where else will you find a parade within walking distance of your hotel, two fireworks displays, log rolling and pie eating contests, as well as dancing into the night on the shores of the glistening Salish Sea? 

It all starts at 10:30 in the morning where in Friday Harbor pulls out all the stops with the cutest small-town parade ever.  After you’ve fill up on candy tossed from the floats, head up to the grounds of the San Juan Historical Museum, the former homestead of James King, to enjoy the 4th of July Pig War Community Picnic, live music and tons of kids’ activities.

Next visit the historic resort of Roche Harbor on the north end of San Juan Island and their extensive 4th of July celebration. They feature kids’ games at the Pool Lawn and good ol’ fashioned Donut Eating Contest at the West Lawn, followed by the not-to-be-missed Blindfolded Dinghy Race and a Log Rolling contest at the Wharf Building. Their fireworks start at sundown.

Back in Friday Harbor it’ll be time to get your dancing shoes on for live music at the Port until the sun sets and the fireworks begin.

Insider Tip:  if you are done with the crowds when the fireworks start, head out to 4th of July Beach in American Camp National Historical Park and watch not only Friday Harbor’s, but also Lopez Island’s fireworks while sitting on the beach and listening to the waves and sea lions.  It’s an amazing way to experience the light show.

How to Get Around on San Juan Island without a Car

To get around on San Juan Island in the Summer a car is not necessary. It may even be easier to get around without one. That way you won’t need to make ferry reservations or worry about parking and driving while on the isle.

 The Washington State Ferry lands right in downtown Friday Harbor, which is completely walkable. Right at the ferry landing you will find two public transportation options: San Juan Transit and the Friday Harbor Jolly Trolley. Both service most of the island’s visitor sites and also offer custom tours and charters. Other transportation options include

·       Suzie’s Mopeds, a couple of blocks away, renting mopeds and fun scoot cars.

·       M&W Auto rental rents cars, and

·       Meat Machine Bicycles offers bikes for all sizes and skill levels.

So come on up and be car and care free on San Juan Island.

Honeymoon Destination -- San Juan Island

Planning a wedding is an enormous task, not just logistically, but also emotionally. And you did that. You are amazing! Now if only there was an absolutely gorgeous honeymoon destination requiring little to no planning. One with tons of fun things to do, but also room for solitude and romance. One with a pleasant climate, where you can drink the water. Not too far away, but somewhat unusual and exotic. We have that.  All of that. Right here on beautiful San Juan island, a mere 65 miles north of Seattle. Find 10 Tips for an unforgettable San Juan Island Honeymoon here.

Cover Photo Courtesy of San Juan Outfitters.

Visiting San Juan Island with Small Kids

Some people say travelling with babies and small kids is an unnecessary hassle, since they won’t remember anyway. We disagree. Kids will remember, maybe not the exact timeline of events, but they will remember the huge gumball machines at the sweets store, seeing their first whale and the fun captain who skippered their boat, as well as feeling the sand on their little tootsies and the wind in their hair.

Show your kids this magnificent world we live in, how different and yet the same we all are, regardless of socio-economic status, skin color, sexual orientation and age. Kid-friendly San Juan Island is the perfect place to get your proverbial feet wet.

Find fabulous tips and practically a weekend itinerary in this lovely article San Juan Island with Baby from our friends at Earthbox Inn & Spa.

Boutique Libations on San Juan Island

From unique Distilleries to Independent vineyards

There are so many phenomenal things made on San Juan Island, like sea salt, lavender shampoo, art and even mission critical components for space programs! But that’s not all, there are also the liquid arts, which are not only tons of fun to explore, but also make for unique gifts and island memories. Come join us on a boutique libations tour of San Juan Island! 

1. San Juan Island Distillery & Westcott Bay Ciders

A short drive from Roche Harbor Resort, you will find this quaint cidery and distillery near beautiful Westcott Bay. They are open for interesting tours of the cider works and tastings of all their lovely libations every Saturday. Westcott Bay Ciders offers a well-balanced line of ciders from their apple orchards along the waterfront, which are also used to distill award-winning brandy. The distillery also makes vodka, 14 different kinds of gin and delicious liqueurs, many incorporating island ingredients like salal, rose, elderberry or juniper in very decorative bottles. Their spirits are rarely distributed outside of San Juan County and make for a truly unique gift.

Outing Idea: Explore San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, enjoy a distillery tour and tasting, then have dinner at the Madrona Grill overlooking Roche Harbor’s waterfront for sunset.

2. San Juan Vineyard

Just three miles outside of Friday Harbor in the lush Beaverton Valley, lays picturesque San Juan Vineyard. Their historic tasting room and gift shop is open year-round with a lovely wrap-around porch to enjoy a picnic on warm Summer days. New to their collection this year, are the Afterglow Rose, Cattle Point Red and an astonishing 2017 Syrah.

Outing Idea: Rent a bike or, if you are staying at the Earthbox Inn & Spa or the Bird Rock Hotel, check one out for free and bike to the Vineyard for an enchanting afternoon.

3.  San Juan Brewery

And just three blocks from the ferry landing in Friday Harbor, you will find the spacious brewpub of San Juan Brewing. A huge glass wall behind the bar allows a view into the shiny brewery. There is ample indoor and outdoor seating, the latter can be rented for special events and allows well-behaved pups to join the party. San Juan Brewing also has a trivia and an open mic night and often free live music on the weekends. Have a San Juan Sampler of five of their delicious Lagers and Ales with enticing names like Outer Island IPA and Bull Kelp ESB, before deciding which growler or four-pack is  worthy to come home with you.

Outing Idea: Come for lunch or dinner and enjoy their wood fired pizza or German inspired pup food.

Memorial Day on San Juan Island

Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

Since the end of World War I, American Legion Hacket Larson Post 163 in Friday Harbor has paid tribute to the military personnel who lost their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces with a heartwarming Memorial Day Parade. There will be no parade this year due to the Governor’s Stay at Home order until May 31, 2020.

The above picture is of Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery outside of Friday Harbor in May, a beautiful, serene spot with a tiny white chapel which plays a Glockenspiel on the hour. It’s a lovely place to be still, to remember our dead, and to be grateful for all that we have.

How to Plan a Spontaneous San Juan Island Weekend Getaway

Planning a spontaneous weekend to San Juan Island, especially if you are not usually the travel planner in your family unit, can seem overwhelming. What if there are no ferry reservations available? What do you pack for your wife for a surprise getaway without incurring ridicule or wrath? Learn how it’s done from this brave husband, who took matters into his own hands.

Please enjoy this very sweet article on How to Plan San Juan Island Getaway – Husband Edition.

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