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San Juan Island in January – Just What You Need After the Holidays

Most of us could use a little break after the buys holiday season. A break from planning, a break from shopping, a break from being in charge and on our best behavior.  We could just use a breather to get away from it all and to gather strength for the year to come. A weekend getaway to San Juan Island might be just what the doctor ordered.

 January on the isle is calm and affordable with just enough to do to not get bored, but not so much, that you feel obligated to be “on” all the time. Nestled in the rain shadow between the Olympic Mountains and Vancouver Island, the weather is much nicer than in the rest of our gorgeous state, but it’s still Winter in Washington and you know the drill: layers, layers, layers. So what is there to experience? Here are our 5 January favorites:

1)         Reconnect

Do you miss your husband even though you see him every day? Come for a romantic getaway. Have you had zero time for your girlfriends since summer? Come on up for a Girlfriend Getaway. Have you not been able to fit in a visit with your favorite aunt or cousin for ages? Come for a mini family reunion. Just make sure you visit with someone who lifts you up, makes you giggle and increases your energy for the season to come.

2)         Spa Day

Stay at the Earthbox Inn & Spa, which offers phenomenal spa and lodging specials and has, as the name says, a super cute on-site spa, the only indoor heated pool, sauna and hot tub on the island and free bikes to check out. Set time aside to soak in the hot tub and get a spa treatment to soothe those achy muscles, detox from all that rich holiday food and de-stress your body and mind.

3)         Hiking & Birding

It’s not difficult to find privacy on San Juan Island even in the middle of the Summer, but in January you’ll truly have all the beaches and mountains, trails and woods to yourself. It’s also an outstanding time to go birding (bring those binoculars). Over 200 migratory birds call the archipelago their winter home. Our favorite place to hike, beach comb and watch birds is on the shores of American Camp National Historical Park.

4)         Be inspired

A rainy winter day is perfect to explore Friday Harbor’s museums and the seven galleries all within walking distance of the ferry. Learn about the history, habitat and challenges of our endangered killer whales and of the latest whale sightings at the Whale Museum. The Museum of Art specializes in thought-provoking exhibitions about living in the Pacific Northwest. The island’s galleries will delight you with the impressive paintings, carvings, woodwork, pottery, photography and jewelry of our talented island artists. Also poke your head into the Griffin Bay Book store for a good read by one of the many local authors.

5)         Whale and Wildlife Tour

One of the few adventure providers offering whale and wildlife watching year-round is Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching. Find their office at Cannery Landing right next to the ferry dock. Their astonishingly fast, heated, very comfortable zodiacs are an unrivaled way to respectfully observe whales and other wildlife like Dall’s porpoises, Stellar sea lions, Bald Eagles and the strange, exotic game on Speiden island, left behind after a big game hunting endeavor failed in the 1980’s.

(Sea Lion Photo Courtesy of Maya’s Legacy Whale Watching)

Open on All Holidays – COHO Restaurant

There are over 30 restaurants within walking distance of the ferry dock in Friday Harbor. That usually is a very delicious problem to have. Very few restaurants are seasonal and close for the Winter. Quite a few though are closed on holidays. That’s why it’s good to know that COHO Restaurant in the heart of Friday Harbor is open on all holidays, year-round. Cozy COHO serves seasonal Farm-to-Table fare and often offers set multi course dinners paired with wine for special occasions. Reservations are highly recommended.

10 Ways to Cherish the Arts on San Juan Island

There is so much more to San Juan Island than just whale watching and kayaking. Friday Harbor’s renowned, vibrant art scene, ranging from native carvers, sculptors, jewelers and painters to thought-provoking photographers, not to mention the singers and songwriters, actors and writers, is well worth a visit all on its own. Uncrowded Winter is a fabulous time to come up for a visit dedicated just to the island’s arts.

Find 10 Ways to cherish the Arts on your next trip to San Juan Island in this fabulous article.

10 Gift Ideas from Beautiful San Juan Island

Visiting San Juan Island during the holiday season is such a treat. The sweet coastal town of Friday Harbor is all decked out. The streets are lined with cute shops and boutiques. There are old fashioned Christmas celebrations and holiday markets to explore, making finding unique, island made gifts for everybody on your list a breeze. Get inspired with this comprehensive list of 10 Gift Ideas from beautiful San Juan Island.

A Guide to Staying Sane with Extended Family over the Holidays

It’s Holiday gathering and Christmas getaway time. Are you so excited to see how tall your nephews got, to hold the new baby, to taste your brother’s pot roast and your aunt’s cookies? Are you also perhaps a little anxious, that emotions will run high, that certain things will be said? Or not said? We all want to truly connect over the holidays, feel grateful, loved and seen. Even in the best of families, the holidays can be triggering. Here is a brief guide on how to stay sane with your extended family over the holidays:

1)          Meet your Needs

Do not put yourself last. Check in with yourself whenever you get annoyed or upset. What do you need? Food, water, alone time? Eat when you are hungry, as opposed to getting upset for how long it takes everybody to get ready and out the door. Go visit that art exhibition or tree lighting ceremony, if that was your plan. It’s your vacation too! Read your book for a while in bed, when another family has a meltdown and the tension gets to you. And remember, there’s a reason we put this first on the list—to give the others, you have to give to yourself first!

2)          Check in with your family unit

Take a walk around the block with your spouse and kids to re-group and check-in. Express your expectations regarding upcoming events and behavior. Talk through an upsetting event and discuss possibilities on how to do better next time.

3)          Walk away when getting emotional

Are politics for breakfast just not your thing? Don’t get angry, but do leave. Not upset, just say a nice goodbye and get some personal time (refer back to item 1 above). Go to the beach, listen to the waves, be present. Don’t dwell. You know the opinions of your bunch by now. You know you won’t change them. Having different world views is just fine. Nobody can judge or validate you, but yourself.

4)          No triangle gossip

We all know that family member, the one who starts whispering as soon as one person leaves the room. Don’t take the bait. If there is something you would like to know about a situation, ask the people directly involved. If you are asked about another person, refrain from feeding the rumor mill. Say a friendly: why don’t you ask her herself?

5)          Don’t mess with bedtime

Especially with smaller children, routine is everything. No matter how fun it sounds to play board games until after midnight, you know that your 4-year old will have a meltdown and be useless the next day.

6)          Keep it short and positive

Is there a subject that your dreading talking about? Your illness, your husband losing his job, your kid failing in school? Don’t get defensive, don’t over explain. Say something acknowledging the issue and end on a positive note, like: yup, we’re still going through some trials, but we have hope. 

7)          Create memories

Bring the light. Make somebody smile. Sing!  Caroling, as a family together, at the tree lighting ceremony, before ducking into the Whale Museum for hot chocolate is an absolutely magical holiday experience. Leave treats or little toys on the beach trail for the kids to find (and make sure they find them all--so you don’t litter), or treat your family to a Winter Wildlife Tour. For more fun tips for a family getaway to San Juan Island, check out our 10 Reasons to visit San Juan Island in December.

Fall is our Favorite Color!

Fall and early Winter on San Juan Island, nestled in the Olympic rain shadow, are simply stunning. The colors, the crisp air, the uncrowded beaches. Join us for the Friday Harbor Winterfest and Festival of Lights, from November 30 through December 31, and ring in the season with style. Now is the time to treat yourself to an uncomplicated island getaway, complete with massage, romantic dinner and Winter wildlife watching, when our friends at the Earthbox Inn & Spa are offering their irresistible lodging specials. 

How to relish Food & Art on San Juan Island

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.

Why Your Next Business Retreat Should be on San Juan Island

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.

Interesting, Weird & Fun Facts about Friday Harbor and 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:

Ferries

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.

First

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.

Last

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.

More

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.

None

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.

Beautiful

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.

Disgusting

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.

A Few

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.

So precious

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 Islands Scenic By Way - Experience Paradise in the Pacific Northwest

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.

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