The leaves are falling and the humpbacks are returning, while San Juan Island, tucked inside the Olympic rain shadow, shines in the Autumn sun. Find yourself alone with the sea lions and Bald Eagles on a stunning beach hike before treating yourself to a luscious, seasonal farm-to-table dinner at one of the cute Friday Harbor restaurants. Bike the highest mountain and hike the longest beach without another human soul in sight. Celebrate the long lazy days of Autumn on the isle with the authentic Oktoberfest at San Juan Brewing on October 1, 2022. Or treat yourself to the first in-person Friday Harbor Film Festival since 2019 on October 21-23, 2022 and see the newest environmental documentaries all over walkable Friday Harbor. Don’t miss the free Fall Family Art Days every Saturday at the San Juan Museum of Art and know that, starting October 1, youth under 18 years ride free on the Washington State Ferries. Find Everything you need to Know about travelling to San Juan Island in the Fall here.
Accessible San Juan Island
The San Juan Islands are former mountain tops created by glaciers. They left behind some mighty hills and stunning vistas for us to enjoy. Many of those, including San Juan Island’s highest publicly accessible mountain and its longest, most gorgeous beach are accessible by wheelchair. Explore museums and parks, street fairs, live music and all the Summer fun the isle has to offer. Check out more wheelchair accessible ideas in this lovely article San Juan Island on Wheels.
Friday Harbor & San Juan Island without a Car
This summer save some gasoline, don’t worry about parking and ferry reservations, and leave your car on the mainland for your San Juan Island getaway. Explore Friday Harbor, its cute restaurants, boutiques and galleries on foot. Hop on the open-air Jolley Trolley to see all of the sites or explore the isle in style in an electric Fun Utility Vehicle. Because this is your time to truly relax.
Check out this article by our friends from the Bird Rock Hotel San Juan Island and Friday Harbor without a Car for more tips on traveling San Juan Island sans auto.
Best Spots to Explore San Juan Island’s Rich History
From the two National Historical Parks remembering the last war fought on American soil to the sites of traditional hunting and fishing camps of the Coast Salish people from thousands of years ago, San Juan Island has the most fascinating past.
Start by exploring the former fishing village of Friday Harbor and its many historic buildings. Don’t miss the Exaggeration Postcards, a new outdoor exhibit in Sunshine Alley, depicting this art form popular between 1900 and 1940. But there is more, so much more. Find the best spots to explore the isle’s turbulent past in this article History Lives Here on San Juan Island.
Cool New Things to Check Out this Spring in Friday Harbor and on San Juan Island
One of the joys of visiting Friday Harbor and San Juan Island in Spring is checking out what’s new each year and what fun places and cool adventures our artistic and creative San Juan Islanders dreamt up and realized. Let us share our absolute favorites with you:
Lunch at the Net Shed
Once a rustic, cozy wedding venue at the beautiful Westcott Bay Shellfish Farm, the Net Shed reimagined itself as a lunch destination with amble outdoor seating by the bay and a menu to die for. Choose oysters baked to perfection or freshly chucked on a bed of rock salt, clam or mussel bowls, local bread and cheeses, all paired with the most sumptuous local wine and beer. A total treat.
Insider Tip: Reserve a table outside, with view of the farm.
Open Mic at Everelse
This tasting lounge and natural wine bar with the most beautiful outdoor wine garden is right in the heart of Friday Harbor. Don’t miss the Sunday open mics, food pop-up and live music events and treat yourself to the best local wines and a yummy charcuterie plate.
Insider Tip: Visit for Happy Hour from 3:00pm-6:00pm.
Electric FUV’s at Susie’s Mopeds
Susie’s offers new, so very cool, electric Fun Utility Vehicles to rent this Summer. Perfect for leaving your car on the mainland and keeping the island air clean. Those puppies have seat warmers, handwarmers and can go 70 miles on one charge, which is plenty for our little isle.
Insider Tip: Make your reservation before you arrive.
A Picnic from Picknick
This cute wine bar by the waterfront offers exceptional picnic baskets for all occasions and tastes with an emphasis on simple, fresh fare. Picnics come with compostable plates and silverware. Have a flight of wine while waiting for your graze box from land or sea, then head to a guided whale watching tour or the beach for sunset.
Insider Tip: The entire shop has a 20% off sale through May 22, 2022.
5 Dazzling Wildflower Hikes on San Juan Island
It’s spring on San Juan Island and the isle is eager to show off what’s fresh and new. Go cocktail and dessert hopping in charming, walkable Friday Harbor. Slurp fresh oysters on the beach. Go kayaking or whale watching. Hear the Red Winged Blackbirds calling and watch the fox pups playing on the wildflower covered prairies. Join us this April for Native Plant Appreciation Month and find 5 Dazzling Wildflower Hikes on San Juan Island here.
LGBTQA+ Inclusive Guide to Friday Harbor & San Juan Island
San Juan Island, 65 miles north of Seattle and reachable by small plane, private boat or the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, is safe, fun and super friendly. Living on a small island in a close-knit community makes being bigoted a lot more arduous. It’s hard to hate up close.
San Juan County had a voter turnout of over 90% with over 70% voting democratic in the 2020 general election. More working artist live here than in any other county in Washington State. The isle is also a forerunner in environmental stewardship, has no fast-food chains, billboards or traffic lights. It’s fairly straight and white, in an adorable coastal town with flower baskets kind of way. A lot less boho than Olympia or Seattle, there is no scene, but you can show up anywhere, in the fanciest restaurant or the most casual watering hole, however you feel like and will be welcomed.
Favorite Places to Stay
Check out the Earthbox Inn & Spa, a retro motor inn with heated indoor pool, sauna & hot tub, beautiful gardens and an onsite spa. They are in walking distance to everything in Friday Harbor, help book whale watching and kayak tours for you and offer wedding group discounts in early Spring and late Fall. Their adorable, little sister hotel is the Bird Rock Hotel, a block and a half from the ferry dock. It’s run like an air b&b and features 15 unique rooms, from deluxe suites with harbor view and two person jetted tub to very affordable, small European sleeping rooms with shared baths.
Former Fishing Village by the Salish Sea
There are over 20 restaurants, bars, cafes and bistros in Friday Harbor; all in walking distance to the ferry dock. Six wine bars, nine galleries, three museums and countless antique shops and cute boutiques are lining the streets. Explore the Saturday Farmer’s Market, arts fairs, Summer festivals and tons of free, live music in this completely walkable, cute place.
Wild Things
San Juan Island is famous for its excellent whale and wildlife watching. The whale watch park with its iconic lighthouse is one of the best places to see Orcas from land on earth. The isle has more nesting Bald Eagle couples per shoreline than any other county in Washington State. Go birding, watch seals, sea lions and otters from shore and foxes and bunnies frolic on the prairie. Please always stay at least 75 feet away and keep the pup on the leash.
Bucket List Adventures
Take a wild ride on an open zodiac to go see Orcas and Humpbacks and Greys. Take a flight lesson around the nearest volcano. Explore the Salish Sea at sunset by kayak and glide through the wonderous bioluminescence. Shuck your own oysters at the beach. Charter a 1939 classic schooner and its experienced crew and have a blast.
Winter Wildlife San Juan Island
This time of the year is what we locals call the “secret season” on San Juan Island. Come on up for a cozy Winter getaway, get front row seating at your favorite restaurant and treat yourself to a pool and spa day at the lovely Earthbox Inn & Spa. Have the beaches to yourself and explore the stunning Winter wildlife on the isle. Orcas and eagles and swans, oh my! Check out what all you’ll get to see in this fun article Top Ten Winter Wildlife to Watch on San Juan Island.
Holiday Shopping in Friday Harbor – Heartfelt Gifts for Everyone on your List
Holiday shopping in the cute coastal town of Friday Harbor is our absolute favorite. Besides the farmer’s market, holiday fairs and tons of delightful shops, there are nine galleries and about 30 eateries in walking distance to the ferry landing. May your gift buying be pleasantly interrupted by dessert breaks, wine tastings, interludes of delectable appetizers and maybe even a massage at the Spa at Earthbox, where you get to use their heated pool and hot tub on the day you have an appointment. Can you say “relaxed”?
The Gift of Romance
Make someone’s dream come true with a lodging certificate to one of the romantic suites at the charming, historic Bird Rock Hotel in the heart of Friday Harbor. May we suggest the Marrowstone Suite with gas fireplace and private outdoor hot tub or the San Juan Suite with harbor view, aerated tub and private balcony? Don’t forget to add a bottle of bubbly in the room upon arrival.
The Gift of Island Adventure
Add a gift certificate to a guided whale watching tour with San Juan Safaris on one of their three, fun boats, for a chance to observe Orcas, Humpbacks, Greys, sea lions, Bald eagles and other wildlife, native to the pristine Salish Sea.
The Gift of Generosity
Adopt an Orca from the Friday Harbor Whale Museum and get your kid involved in stewardship of her sea and land. A family adoption of $60 per year includes such cool things as a personalized adoption certificate with photo of your whale, an informational booklet about the Southern Resident Orcas, subscription to the newsletter, patches, bumper stickers and a one-year Whale Museum membership for the entire family.
Island-made
The Pelindaba Lavender Friday Harbor store offers over 300 ways to lavender. Find everything purple here for personal care, household, therapy, pets, décor and lavender as a culinary herb. The store features unique lavender themed art by local artists.
Island Spirits
With a distillery, a brewery, two cideries and quite a few vineyards right here on San Juan, spirits of the isle make a not only fabulous but distinctive souvenir for all occasions.
Island Art
Friday Harbor and San Juan Island are rich in history, culture and art. Experience the excellently curated art museum, explore native carvings, whimsical pottery and art collectives doubling as healing centers. Meander the 20-acre art garden on the north end of the isle at sunset and remember when you are buying from an artist you are buying a piece of a heart, a piece of a soul, a small piece of somebody else’s life.
What’s up with the Ferries to San Juan Island?
Taking the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes, WA to San Juan Island and Friday Harbor is so breathtakingly beautiful, it may just be worth a trip to the isle by itself. But what is up with all the crew shortages and cancelled trips this season? How difficult is it to get here?
Turns out not difficult at all.